Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 1, 1993 TAG: 9304010027
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Ray Reed
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
SCALE PROJECT NOT LATE YET
Q: When are they going to open the truck-weighing scales on Interstate 81? Weren't they supposed to open the northbound lane several months ago? R.H., RoanokeA: Many little details linger, but the state Transportation Department has its eyes on a late-April opening for both lanes.
You're partly right: Last fall they were hoping to open the northbound scale in December.
The Tinker Mountain project's target date for completion was October 1993, so it's not late yet.
Nuclear-waste trucking
Q: I travel Interstate 81 from Roanoke to Natural Bridge daily and see many trucks hauling hazardous waste from up north to the nuclear dump at Barnwell, S.C.
Is there any control over the way these shipments are handled? How safe are these trucks? What is the potential for environmental or health problems should one of these trucks have an accident? What safety controls are in place? D.S., Roanoke
A: Most of these trucks are carrying low-level nuclear waste. Usually it's clothing or other solid material used in overhauling nuclear power plants. It's required to be packed in secure containers.
Even in an accident, the risk of exposure is small, said Jim Holloway of the state Emergency Services Department.
Probably the greatest environmental danger from these trucks is their fuel tanks. Liquid petroleum causes more problems than dry waste, which could be picked up fairly easily.
Almost none of the nuclear waste hauled on I-81 is liquid, Holloway said. Barnwell does not accept radioactive liquids.
Little of it is medical materials. Most medical waste loses its radioactivity quickly and is incinerated at hospitals, Holloway said.
Other than the packaging requirements, there is no additional control of low-level shipments.
They go with unannounced frequency. Holloway said there have been few accidents and spills were cleaned up quickly.
Higher-level nuclear waste shipments - about 90 per year in Virginia - are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
They must have specialized containers and a driver with extra training, and localities must be notified when they pass through.
The highest classification is for spent nuclear fuel from power plants, and these may receive a police escort.
Snowpile in the park
Q: I'm a resident of Southeast Roanoke, and the city hauled snow from streets and dumped it in Fallon Park near the swimming pool.
It contained a lot of glass, gravel and dirt. When the snow melts, what are our kids going to do? W.B., Roanoke
A: The snow, disguised as dirt piles earlier this week, was dumped on a paved parking lot.
When the snow melts, the debris will be cleaned up by hand or by a street sweeper, said Bill Clark, director of public works.
It's rarely necessary to haul snow away, but the recent blizzard overwhelmed downtown streets.
That parking lot, being beside the pool, wasn't in use at the time.
Got a question about something that might affect other people too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.