During the week of September 8, 2014, I sent a letter to the Stanislaus County Supervisors explaining my concern with the 132 West Freeway design. I indicated that citizens of the west side of Modesto want the hazardous material removed from the berms that sit within the right-of-way. They also want the freeway be a below grade facility. I stated that none of the supervisors would want to live next […]
Modesto toxic waste
Brush Fire Undermines Caltrans’ Credibility
News Item: On Friday May 16, a brush fire within the toxic waste piles of Modesto’s 132 Freeway right-of-way spread out of control during a late afternoon wind storm, gutting four homes adjacent to property maintained by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The vegetation around and on the toxic waste piles caught fire. The preliminary report says the blaze originated with an illegal open pit fire. Toxic Waste Piles […]
Brush Fire at the Toxic Waste Dump, by Bruce Frohman
Over the Labor Day weekend, a brush fire burned vegetation in the future 132 freeway right of way. The specific location was on the top of one of the mounds containing toxic waste. According to an agreement between Caltrans and the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC), Caltrans is to maintain vegetation on the mounds in order to reduce runoff from the toxic waste piles. Until new vegetation is planted, the brush fire has put Caltrans out […]
Latest Update on Modesto’s Toxic Waste, by Bruce Frohman
In our last report, we outlined problems with the mounds of dirt in the 132 right-of-way near the 99 freeway believed to contain toxic waste. As of this writing, Caltrans is working with the California Department of Toxic Substances (DTSC) to determine how heavily contaminated the dirt mounds are and what to do about them. Until a decision is made about remediation of the dirt piles, construction on the eastern end of the […]
Much Work Left To Do On 132 Freeway Toxic Waste Site Before Construction Can Begin, By Bruce Frohman
Caltrans has finished one study of the ground water beneath the three 132 Freeway right of way toxic waste sites. A report completed in June 2012 by Geocon for Caltrans concluded that no chemicals related to the toxic waste sites were found in ground water beneath the sites. Some who have heard the results of the one study have the misimpression that all studies on the waste sites are […]
Bruce Frohman on Caltrans' Failure to Maintain Modesto Toxic Waste Site
Several months ago, former Modesto City Councilman Bruce Frohman became concerned about toxic waste piles in west Modesto. Frohman’s persistent questioning of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and Caltrans revealed Caltrans has failed to properly maintain the site. Here is Bruce Frohman’s insider report. A toxic waste site exists within the right of way of the future State Route 132 freeway. The site is located just south of Kansas […]