Delicate asbestos removal for upgrade
A DELICATE operation will take place this week as progress continues on the Sapphire to Woolgoolga section of the Pacific Highway upgrade.
Roads and Maritime Services contractors will continue to remove asbestos from an old council water main after historic records led to the discovery of the substance before work started on the project.
"This is a long water main and we have been progressively removing the asbestos as the project continues," an RMS spokesperson said.
In the early stages of planning, more than 50 structures were identified for demolition.
Work to remove a majority of these structures started in August 2010 and was completed by September 2010.
Structures on another two properties were demolished in July and August 2011.
Asbestos was found in some of the old structures and treated in accordance with the NSW WorkCover Working With Asbestos Guide 2008.
Demolition work was carried out by licensed contractors accredited to remove asbestos.
Asbestos is taken to Grafton City Council's landfill site, which is licensed by the EPA to take this material.
The RMS spokesperson said asbestos is commonly found in old buildings demolished as part of infrastructure upgrades.
All appropriate measures were in place to ensure the safety of workers and the community during the removal of the material.
