Doremus Avenue Reconstruction and Widening – Berger Hazardous Waste Group Involvement and Achievements

For the Doremus Avenue Project, The Louis Berger Group, Inc (Berger) collected soil and groundwater data from precise depths and areas, which correlated to proposed excavation depths and areas. This accurate characterization of subsurface materials, while being aware of the NJDOT's ultimate construction goals and the applicable regulatory requirements facilitated the management of contaminated soils so as not to impact the construction schedule or cost. Project deliverables included the Contamination Site Investigation Report, a Remedial Action Workplan, a Soil Reuse Plan and Property Acquisition Environmental Cost Estimate Reports.

During the subsurface exploration program, Berger geologists precisely classified soils and debris.  Subsequently, the detailed debris classification was evaluated along with analytical results of soil samples and the NJDEP's definition of historical fill (N.J.A.C. 7:26E-4.6).  Successful characterization of historical fill throughout the project corridor reduced the time and cost associated with additional delineation sampling, provided for accurate cost estimating for property acquisition and simplified remedial action plans and specifications for the management of regulated waste during proposed construction.

The Remedial Action Workplan prepared by Berger for the NJDOT Doremus Avenue Improvement Project included provisions for soil re-use, soil disposal/recycling, engineering controls and institutional controls for the entire project corridor due to the presence of historical fill.  The soil reuse plan was ultimately approved by NJDEP for the reuse of approximately 9,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil generated during construction. This was a significant cost savings to the client. Berger also understood that the construction of a roadway in a contaminated area often satisfies various remedial actions in and of itself.  As such, the initial design also satisfied nearly all engineering control requirements (impermeable cap) and remaining areas were be covered with an NJDEP-approved six-inch top soil and seed.  Property acquisition cost estimates for property owners along the corridor included costs for the same remedial options. 

During the project, Berger carried out a solution to an access issue in which a design modification required access to, and acquisition of, an additional property parcel late in the subsurface investigation.  The property owner refused to grant access.  Berger identified the active regulatory cases associated with the property, conducted a file review at the NJDEP, and generated the property acquisition report based on the data gathered from the file review.    

Environmentally sensitive areas also required special identification and management.  The project included the successful collection of sediment samples in Newark Bay from a barge-mounted drilling rig.  Permitting and access logistics were complicated, as the US Coast Guard regulated the placement of the barge in the bay, and the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife regulated the timing of the event as to avoid potential impacts to Striped Bass spawning activity.  Other sensitive areas associated with the project included Plum Creek and Harrison Creek.  Berger’s design team incorporated soil erosion and sediment control devices for these areas during the proposed roadway construction. Later, the project required coordination with the Newark Tax Offices and private business-owners pertaining to property acquisition. 

Berger was also responsible for the preparation of the construction contract specifications for this project, which included provisions for the protection of public health, the health and safety of the construction workers and soil stockpile management (protection from public, sheeting, erosion control, etc.).