Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 18, 1993 TAG: 9306180228
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
This would be about a month later than originally projected but still in time to ensure that Roanoke, Vinton and Roanoke County have a place to bury more than 700 tons of trash daily.
The current landfill, off the Blue Ridge Parkway in southeastern Roanoke County, is expected to be full by the end of the year.
Officials with the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority said Thursday that the new landfill at Smith Gap in western Roanoke County should be open before the old one is full.
Not all construction will be finished by October. But officials said the localities should be able to use the landfill before it is finished.
Meanwhile, the state is expected to approve the final permit for the new landfill by early next month.
John Hubbard, chief executive officer for the authority, said he has talked with the state's Department of Environmental Quality. The agency has indicated it will make a decision soon, he said.
At a recent public hearing, several Montgomery County residents urged the state to halt construction on the landfill until the final permit is issued.
They contended the authority is violating state regulations by grading and preparing the Smith Gap site before getting the final permit.
The state has a two-phase permit system for landfills.
Part A deals with the acceptability of a site for a landfill, and Part B deals with the design and technical issues.
The state approved the application for Part A last year and is reviewing the Part B application.
The Resource Authority knew it would take a risk by proceeding with the $33 million project before it had the final permit.
But it was faced with the need to open the new landfill by this fall, since the current landfill is approaching capacity.
Trash will be taken to the landfill each night by train from a transfer station in Northeast Roanoke.
Hubbard said Thursday that the installation of a rail spur to the landfill is 40 percent complete and will be finished by August.
The transfer station is expected to be complete by September.
Hubbard said construction of the dumping building at Smith Gap will be accelerated soon, with the contractor being asked to work additional hours.
by CNB