Landfill pavement project begins

By on Tuesday, July 18th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

WALLA WALLA – Customers at the Sudbury Road Landfill in Walla Walla can expect delays as construction has begun on the compost pad improvement project. The pad is closed, and all green waste and compost customers will be directed to the active pit.

Work at the compost pad will involve excavating and hauling off asphalt and unsuitable subgrade, extending a non-potable waterline, installing frost free and blow-off hydrants, installing a stormwater line and gutters, and applying an overlay to the asphalt pad. This work will correct drainage issues due to settlement of the compost pad and repair cracks in the asphalt to ensure runoff from compost operations does not enter the groundwater. This work will also provide staff with improved access to water for wetting the compost and fighting potential fires that can occur because of the heat created during the composting process. The compost pad improvement project is expected to be completed this fall.

Next Monday, construction will begin on the roadway at the entrance to the landfill and involve night work to minimize the impacts to landfill customers. During the day, flaggers will be present at the entrance to allow sanitation trucks priority access to the public scale.

This phase of the project will replace original asphalt from when the landfill first opened in the 1970s which is failing due to drainage issues and constant truck traffic, especially from full sanitation trucks. The roadway project is expected to be completed in 10 days.

The $1.6 million project was awarded to Nelson Construction of Walla Walla and is funded by landfill tip fees.

Photo of commercial scale at Sudbury Road Landfill via city of Walla Walla