Raymark Superfund Site

Significant Project Features

• To date (Jan 2023), Sevenson has remediated 12 residential and commercial properties excavating > 46,400 CY of contaminated soils.
• Built a Temporary Fabric Structure (TFS) to house soil processing operations. Utilized Portland cement or MAECTITE™ for stabilization.
• Raymark waste soils were placed and compacted in an in-town consolidation area (OU4), and the most contaminated waste is sent to off-site facilities.
• Contaminants of concern in Raymark waste include petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) soils, asbestos, lead, copper, PCBs, solvents, dioxins, adhesives, and resins.
• Achieved >100,000 safe workhours without a lost time incident (Jan 2023).

Project Gallery

History & Location Details

The Raymark Industries, Inc. Superfund Site includes areas that were contaminated as a result of manufacturing processes from the former Raymark Industries, Inc. facility. The former Raymark Facility, located at 75 East Main Street in Stratford, Connecticut, operated from 1919–1989. Known as Raybestos-Manhattan, Inc., Raymark manufactured gaskets, clutches, and heavy brake friction components for the automotive industry. Raymark generated wastes containing asbestos, lead, copper, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and a variety of solvents, adhesives, and resins as byproducts from its manufacturing operations. This byproduct was available as “free fill” to the town and residents. USEPA Region 1 has determined that the Raymark waste that remains in the town of Stratford presents a threat to human health. In September 2016, EPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) that includes the final cleanup from a total of 6 OUs. The US Army Corps of Engineers, New England District is managing the site on behalf of EPA.

Project Description

Scope of Work

Site Preparation / Operable Unit 4 (OU4)

Sevenson prepared USACE-approved work plans, secured the necessary permits, and mobilized company-owned equipment to the site. Prior to beginning remediation at the surrounding OU6 properties, Sevenson prepared the OU4 Consolidation Area, which included clearing and grubbing, placing geotextile to stabilize the haul roads, and demolition of the baseball field (with grandstands). OU4 will eventually become a secure landfill where the contaminated Raymark Waste will be placed following specific excavations from the additional OUs.

Excavation

Prior to initiating excavations, Sevenson prepares each specific residence or commercial business for excavation. This includes clearing and grubbing, setting up temporary fencing, installation of erosion controls, asphalt removal, preserving any historical artifacts, and relocating personal items.

To date, Sevenson has remediated 12 properties, excavating >46,400 CY of contaminated soils ranging from 0–4 ft. BGS. Properties range from 600–60,000 SF. Excavations have been done in parking lots, commercial businesses, residential properties, along existing water lines, beneath building foundations and in a public park.

Field crews use PC138 and/or PC220 excavators when completing excavation. A TFS was assembled to house the stabilization of impacted wet soils using Portland cement or ex-situ MAECTITE™ treatment. The material is then sampled and based upon analytical results, either shipped off-site for disposal or transferred to the Consolidation Area for placement into OU4. Once excavations are complete and contaminated soils are transferred to the TFS located at OU4, crews begin restoration activities, which include backfill, asphalt paving and striping, hydroseeding, and reinstalling chain link fences.

Community relations is an important aspect to successfully completing the work tasks associated with the project. Open and ongoing lines of communication between all stakeholders which includes homeowners, business owners, police, fire, first responders, and Sevenson. At each location every stakeholder is advised of the work scheduled to be performed and the timeline to complete it. Affected stakeholders are provided with a phone number for a Sevenson project team member to contact in case an issue arises during remediation. To date, businesses remained open, and residents have been able to remain at home during execution of the work.

Quality Control/Health and Safety

In January 2023, the Sevenson Team achieved >100,000 safe workhours without a lost-time incident, utilizing Level D and Modified Level C PPE. This was achieved through clear and open lines of communication among Sevenson’s on-site Project Management Team, our field crews, as well as the Project Management Teams from US Army Corps of Engineers, New England District and USEPA Region 1. Community relations is an important aspect of the project. Regularly scheduled meetings with city officials, first responders, homeowners, and business owners to provide updates to the location and performance of work contributes to the success of the project.  Sevenson’s on-site QC Manager prepared Daily Quality Control Reports. QC reports were submitted to USACE for review. >275 transmittals have been submitted thus far.