Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) has awarded two new contracts to clean up historic low-level radioactive waste in Port Hope, Ont., as part of the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI).
A work package in the waterfront area has been awarded to Arcadis and was scheduled to begin this past spring. The package includes the excavation and removal of waste from the West Beach, Mill Street South and CN/CP viaduct areas, and is expected to be complete in 2020.
In addition, Milestone Environmental Services will undertake the cleanup of several residential properties and one commercial property as part of a separate work package. This is the first of many work packages to be offered to clean up residences.
Under CNL’s oversight, both contractors will excavate the waste and transport it to the new storage facility, backfill the sites with clean soil and restore the landscape.
“With the cleanup of multiple sites happening at the same time, the safe movement of waste along the designated PHAI transportation routes requires a high degree of coordination,” said Bryan Tyers, CNL’s director of project delivery for the PHAI. “We continue to work closely with the Municipality of Port Hope to minimize the impacts of the project on the community.”
The work will occur concurrently with the remediation of three temporary waste storage sites, including one on the Centre Pier, previously awarded to Amec Foster Wheeler.
The larger cleanup of Port Hope Harbour and Centre Pier will be undertaken under a separate contract and is scheduled to begin in 2019.
“Safety of the public and our workers, and protection of the environment remains our top priority,” said Tyers. “I invite anyone with a question or concern about the PHAI to contact our office or visit our website at PHAI.ca for up-to-date information about our current work.” 