Asbestos discovery delays cleanup and escalates costs

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the ongoing remediation efforts at Breakneck Hill, where a significant amount of asbestos-containing materials has been discovered during cleanup operations. The area, historically used as a trash pit by local residents, has revealed a higher concentration of hazardous materials than initially anticipated, leading to increased disposal costs.

The project, which is being conducted under the oversight of the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), has prompted a request for an additional $2.2 million in funding. This request follows a previous allocation of $2.2 million, of which less than $500,000 has been spent so far. The total projected cost for the cleanup now stands at approximately $4.4 million.

Officials noted that the excavation process has uncovered construction materials, including asphalt roofing shingles and cement board, buried for around 60 years. The presence of asbestos has complicated disposal efforts, as there are limited facilities equipped to handle such materials, resulting in higher-than-expected costs.

The DEP has mandated the completion of this work under an administrative consent order, granting the project team a six-month extension to March 2024 due to the unforeseen challenges posed by the asbestos discovery. The team has been actively working to minimize costs by separating solid waste from soil in compliance with current regulations.