New way to walk to elementary school

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. Robert P. Steel
  • 48th Fighter Wing commander


QUESTION:
I have two concerns about the new way to walk to the elementary school.

First, right before you cross the little road to enter the elementay school gate the construction workers are loading and cutting rocks. This creates a lot of dust (you can tell by the dust on the sidewalk and grass). More than once it has gotten in my eyes and mouth. My main concern, is when the houses that are on the road that is now closed were getting ready for demolition there was a haz mat company taking out which I believe was asbestos. I dont know if the debris from the houses that I spoke about above had asbestos in them (and I'm sure it was removed if so) but when it is removed is there NOTHING left? Because like I said, close to five times a week those of us who walk through that area get an eye full as well as a nose and mouth full of dust. Would it be possible for the workers not to cut the rocks between 8 - 8:30 and 2:30 - 3:00?

Second, the new walkway. Where the brown construction fence is (from the playground to the left turn to get to the elementary school) is nasty. There is all kinds of trash. Some I'm sure is litter, some from the wind. There is a tire, 2X4 wood, a pile of bushes (which I think came from having to take out the bushes to put in the sidewalk), a big concrete block that use to hold a sign but has been dug up and left there. A concrete block. A lot of mud, and no grass. There use to be grafetti (a few curse words that the kids would read as we walked back and forth to school) but a nice adult covered that up, but it still looks bad. Can you get someone to go back there and pick up all the stuff I mentioned above? That would make a big difference. Personally I walk up Radcliff Rd where the buildings are scheduled for demolition. Its a little nicer that way. 


ANSWER:

All good questions and concerns that you brought up. First, the contractor is crushing old concrete and brick for recycling these materials into the new construction program. The issue of dust has been raised with the contractor and has plans to use a water spray to minimize dust from their operations. Next, there was a minor trace of asbestos in the old houses that are scheduled for demolition; however, all hazardous material was removed by a licensed contractor and transported to an approved waste disposal site. This activity is closely monitored by the UK regulatory authorities for compliance. Each house is then tested for any minute trace of asbestos and, if cleared, a certificate issued to confirm that no trace was identified. The houses are then released for demolition, and there should be no risk from any airborne trace of asbestos.

Our Base Appearance Team has cleaned the area of trash and debris along the brown construction fence, and will continue to monitor this high traffic area. Graffiti is a constant problem in this area despite increased patrols from Security Forces. Our Base Appearance Team has removed graffiti where possible and in areas where graffiti could not be removed we have painted over. Finally, the walking route designated is the safest route through this area. Our civil engineers are currently extending the Radcliffe Road sidewalk onto Lord's Walk and have provided a crossing point to make your preferred route more pedestrian friendly due to the conflict with vehicle traffic. 

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