The pavement surrounding the Pueblo Static Detonation Chamber units is now complete.
“Paving at the SDC mainly accomplishes cleanliness. The dirt roads are now covered,” said Chief Engineer, David Duff. “There is less dust and one does not have to walk through mud when it rains. Paving allows operations to start munitions and waste movement training. It also provides better access in case emergency services are required. It is also an indicator all the underground utilities are installed.”
This project began on July 23. Only eight days later, after the first rows of asphalt were laid, the pavement was finished on Aug. 1. Almost 150,000 sq. ft. of asphalt was placed.
Before processing can take place, the site needs to receive the necessary permits from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to conduct the two-phase agent trial burn with conventional munitions. The goal is to have the SDC units process around a dozen 4.2-inch mortar rounds per hour.
“We are doing a lot of procedure validations, valve and switch lineups and other things to prepare for the trial burn,” said Troy Worthen, SDC plant manager. “We are working toward a site acceptance test late this month.”
