Caltrans’ June newsletter probably did more harm than good from a public relations standpoint. The newsletter was intended to update stakeholders about the project’s progress. Instead, a front page article in the Modesto Bee claimed the newsletter was misleading. Even worse, the information in the newsletter aggravated critics of the project who believe their comments and suggestions will be totally ignored. The newsletter announced that construction will begin in 2016, […]
Caltrans toxic waste Modesto
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 […]
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 […]