New Brunswick, New Jersey

Project at a Glance:

• Investigation and remediation of soil and ground water at a 30-acre industrial facility and along approximately 1.5 miles of the Mile Run stream corridor located in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
• The facility and stream were impacted by PCB transformer fluids. The impacted stream corridor includes approximately 4.3 acres of total soil disturbance of which approximately 2.2 acres are in wetland areas.

Project History

Contamination of the stream corridor occurred in June 1994, when vandalism at the site resulted in the release of transformer fluid. As a result of this spill approximately 1.5 miles of the Mile Run stream corridor have been impacted.

Investigation

The assessment of soil excavation limits along the Mile Run Stream banks was conducted using the compliance averaging methodology and the alternative cleanup standard for PCBs approved by NJDEP. A pre-verification sampling plan was implemented where approximately 500 samples were collected to define the limits of excavation prior to mobilizing remediation equipment to the site.

Remediation

Whitman performed construction management services for the approved remediation of the Mile Run Stream, which included removal of an estimated 11,000 tons of PCB contaminated soil along the 1.5 miles of stream corridor and landscape restoration. The remediation includes approximately 4.3 acres of total soil disturbance and approximately 2.2 acres of wetland disturbance.

Restoration activities included placement of certified clean backfill and topsoil, installation of erosion control blankets and Biologs; reseeding disturbed areas, and replanting vegetation of the same or similar species as those which were disturbed in accordance with applicable permits. The estimated construction costs were approximately $2 million with Whitman's design and construction oversight estimated at $350,000.

Excavation of impacted soil along stream and placement of erosion control measures.

Post-construction condition of wetland section of restored stream.

Site map of 1.5-mile section of the Mile run stream restoration project in New Brunswick, New Jersey.