Landscape Architect Articles

LCN PMBR News August 200511-10-05 | News

A Radioactive Retaining Wall

This retaining wall not far from the Readsboro, Vt. General Store was built with concrete blocks from now-closed Yankee Rowe nuclear power plant.

A retaining wall in Readsboro, Vt. is built of radioactive concrete blocks that once helped shield the core of a nuclear reactor, recent tests have shown.

Analysis of the retaining wall, conducted in February by the Vermont Department of Health, show it is contaminated with the radioactive isotope tritium. The results were released in mid June.

State and federal officials, however, said the wall poses no health risk. The tritium has a half-life, or remains radioactive, for 12.3 years.

It was built with 35 large, interlocking concrete blocks taken from the reactor building of the nearby nuclear plant in Rowe, Mass., about three miles from the small southern Vermont town of Readsboro in Bennington County.

The blocks were taken from the site, with the company?EUR??,,????'?????<

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After intensive sand-blasting and cleaning, tests used at the time showed the blocks were free from radioactivity, according to the company and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The new tests surprised plant officials, they said, because this time the tests showed the concrete contained tritium, a byproduct of the nuclear fission process.

NYC Retaining Wall Still Unstable

Inspectors were out in mid-July checking a retaining wall section near the Henry Hudson Parkway in New York City. The unstable segment is located near the point where a massive mound of dirt, rocks, trees and debris cascaded in May down onto one of the main north-south routes out of the city. As thousands of motorists were starting their drive home the wall gave way, blocking the six-lane highway and burying parked cars, but causing no injuries. The retaining wall, originally built 97 years ago, is privately owned.

The residents of the building right on top of the wall said they?EUR??,,????'?????<

Cement Consumption to Remain Strong

The Portland Cement Association has projected an increase in cement consumption in 2005. As reported in the annual Spring Forecast, consumption should increase three percent and to another record level of 123.4 million metric tons. The forecast includes an improved determination of cement intensities. At the recent board meeting, chief economist, Ed Sullivan, predicted, ?EUR??,,????'?????<

For more information, visit www.cement.org.

Pave Tech Training School Opens

Courses at the new School for Advanced Segmental Paving, in Franksville, Wis., will begin this winter. The grand open invitation to the industry will be held October 29th. Photo courtesy of Pave tech

The new School for Advanced Segmental Paving was recently completed at the Pave Tech distribution center in Franksville, Wis. Progress is continuing on the program that will provide indoor hands-on training and discussion opportunities for foremen, superintendents and field oriented company owners. Pat O?EUR??,,????'?????<

Visit www.pavetech.com for the most recent information on class dates, times and topics.

The world of Asphalt 2006 Show and Conference will be held March 13-16 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The show offers asphalt industry professionals a multifaceted opportunity to learn about the latest product innovations and technologies. In addition to exhibits of machinery, products and services grouped by relevant categories, World of Asphalt 2006 will feature in-depth industry-targeted educational programming, including equipment demonstrations focused on best practices.