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A temporary cement plant built to help complete the Innovate 80 project has become a growing concern for many residents living along Salt Lake's east bench.
The plant actually has been there for several months, but what was originally an unsightly surprise now has sparked and even deeper concern.
If you've driven along I-215 on the east side of the valley, you've probably noticed a large cement plant recently. The tower has actually been there for several months as part of the Innovate 80 project. But many residents have grown increasingly unhappy about the plant.
Residents in the Mt. Olympus and East Millcreek areas are concerned for their health. They sent a letter asking the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), along with Governor Huntsman and other political figures, to do something about it.
Last night, neighbors met to discuss the plant and talk about what's going to happen next with UDOT.
Resident Steve Pohlman said, "They had no idea, no idea what was going to happen, how long it was going to be there. Is this a health hazard or not?"
The group talked about research done with the Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment on the health hazards of the plant.
Pohlman said, "The real concern is that it has a real point focus. So that when the emissions are in this area or the diesel fuel is burned in this area, that it can have 30 times the concentration right within a half-mile area as it could have two miles away, four miles away, or six miles away."
UDOT says it would cost millions to move the plant, and that all the concrete would have to be hauled from the west side.
This citizens' group wants UDOT to monitor the situation, give the public access to data and give them the right to pull the plug on the project.
They also say this cannot turn into a permanent plant. Right now the plant is scheduled to operate until May 2009, but UDOT wants to extend it until December.
E-mail: ngonzales @ksl.com
