A second Hanford nuclear waste tunnel at risk of collapsing

2nd Hanford tunnel storing radioactive waste at risk of failing, federal study says Seattle Times, July 1, 2017 “This makes it clear that the second tunnel may also pose a risk to human health and the environment,” said Alex Smith, nuclear-waste program manager for the state Department of Ecology. Hal Bernton Seattle Times staff reporter. A second tunnel storing radioactive waste at the Hanford nuclear reservation has structural problems and is at risk of failing, according to a U.S. Energy Department investigation released Friday.

This tunnel is more than four times longer than the smaller Hanford tunnel that suffered a partial roof collapse May 9, triggering an order for more than 4,800 employees to stay indoors.

State Department of Ecology officials ordered an engineering evaluation as part of a series of corrective actions. The findings were jointly released Friday in Richland by state and federal officials……..

It is not clear what caused the collapse of the wood-and-concrete tunnel that contains eight flatbed railcars holding radioactive waste. Possible factors included heavy rainfall in early May and deteriorating wood, according to the Energy Department.

The stabilization plan for the smaller tunnel involves filling it with grout, with work scheduled to be done by year’s end.

The Energy Department has until Aug. 1 to submit a plan to state officials for shoring up the second tunnel, which stretches for some 1,700 feet.

Made of metal and concrete, it was built in the 1960s and, like the other tunnel, holds railcars containing radioactive waste.

Investigators found it does not meet codes for structural integrity, and may not be able to bear the weight of soil above it……..

the Energy Department is examining options to shore up the larger tunnel. The task is complicated by the fact that, because of radiation, no one can enter the tunnel to assess its conditions…… About 8,000 people are working on a complex cleanup expected to cost more than $100 billion and last for decades.

Hal Bernton: 206-464-2581 or hbernton@seattletimes.com http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/another-hanford-tunnel-storing-radioactive-waste-at-risk-study-finds/