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Some people who live near a temporary concrete batch plant near I-215 want the state to reconsider its operations.
The batch plant, just west of the Olympus Hills Mall, was brought in to help with I-80 reconstruction. But some neighbors say they now have some good reasons to shut it down.
The neighbors claim that following a two-month investigation, they've been able to outline safety problems, especially with air quality. They're upset that only a generic notice was printed in the paper ahead of time and that it wasn't specific to location or to any possible hazards.
They say trucks impact the neighborhood and will continue to do so for the next year and a half. They also claim the plant has increased traffic on the streets by as many as 40 trucks an hour.
As for air quality, they claim cement dust contains trace amounts of hazardous air pollutants; crystalline silica is also toxic and fly ash is considered a hazardous material in many states. All of them will combine to create increased air pollution.
But Nile Easton, spokesman for the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), says the project has been given a green light by the Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
"Well, you know, we actually went through DEQ, got our proper permits, and we don't see that there is a problem there," Easton said.
He says moving the plant, which is on UDOT property, could cost millions and significantly delay construction.
Residents have sent letters to the governor and some lawmakers asking for changes. To read one of those letters, click the related link.
E-mail: mgiauque@ksl.com
