Hazardous materials and asbestos

Contacts

Hazardous waste disposal contractor contactsUpdated6-20-2023

Regional environmental, lab or hazardous materials coordinatorsUpdated9-8-2023

Leaks and spills contact listUpdated5-12-2022

WisDOT’s policy is that no asbestos-containing material should be used in the construction or maintenance of a bridge facility.

All buildings that are to be demolished or sold and moved are required to be inspected for asbestos prior to demolition or removal. These inspections are typically done during the Real Estate process.

To request a bridge inspection, fill out the asbestos worksheet and email it, along with a location map, and photos of the structure (if available) to DOT Hazmat Unit.

As of April 2005, all bridge asbestos inspections for any project that will be administered by WisDOT, including local road bridges, projects designed by consultants under contract to WisDOT, and projects designed in-house by WisDOT will be conducted through a contract administered by the Bureau of Technical Services, Environmental services section.

Scheduling of the inspections will be prioritized by environmental document date, and PS&E date. The inspections are grouped to reduce overall costs and mobilization charges.

Adding Bats 2-26-2024

Bridge bat inspections can be combined with bridge asbestos inspections to minimize mobilization costs and increase efficiency and safety for the inspectors. The asbestos worksheet has been modified to include a section for requesting bat inspections. If you’re not sure whether you should choose this option refer to the guidance on the Endangered Species web page, and this decision tree

To request a pre-demolition or pre-move building inspection fill out the building inspection worksheet, and email it, along with a location map and photos of the structure (if available) to DOT Hazmat Unit.

There are several different special provisions for asbestos, which one you use will depend on the findings of the inspection. The STSP index includes guidance on when to use each of the STSPs:

View the STSPs

Who to notify? Refer to the DHS flow chart and DNR's Air Program Factsheet .

Notification to DNR or DHS is required for most building demolition and asbestos removal 10 business days prior to beginning any work.

Follow the procedures in Standard Spec 107.24 and CMM 130.2. Call BTS Environmental Services 608-266-1476, follow up with an email to DOTHAZMATUNIT@dot.wi.gov

If you have questions about the WisDOT asbestos program, please contact the DOT Hazmat Unit

Q. I thought it was illegal to use asbestos?

A. Asbestos mining ended in the U.S. in 2002, however the US still imports over a thousand tons of asbestos every year for use in roofing, coatings and various other materials.

Q. Where is asbestos commonly found on bridges?

A. The three most common locations are in the gaskets or grout in the expansion joints in parapet walls, in the grout under railing bolt plates, and in the tar-like material used to seal the tops of wooden posts in the wing walls.

gaskets or grout in the expansion joint grout under railing bolt plates tar-like material used to seal the tops of wooden posts in the wing walls

Q. Can you tell if a material is asbestos containing just by looking at it?

A. No. The fibers are so small they cannot be detected without a microscope. This is why we have to sample the material to determine if it contains asbestos.

Q. Do I submit culverts for inspection as well?

A. No. The inspections are currently limited to those structures meeting the federal definition of bridges. (Those that currently have a B- or P- number in the Highway Structures Information System (HSIS). The exception is a culvert which has a suspect material on it (e.g. caulk, gasket, patching material).

Section NR 725.05 Wis. Admin. Code requires notification of appropriate units of government when a site closure request is being made with residual soil or groundwater contamination or certain continuing obligations within a right-of-way. Use DNR form 4400-286 available on the DNR website for notification. NOTE: If your browser will not open the .pdf link above, copy the URL and open Acrobat on your machine, choose file, open and paste the URL in the "file name" box and hit enter.

For state trunk, interstate and U.S. highways, all notifications of contamination in highway rights-of-way should be directed to the DOT Hazmat Unit via email or by U.S. mail or certified mail to:

DOT BTS-ESS Hazmat Unit
P.O. Box 7986 S513.12
ROOM 5 South
Madison, WI 53707-7986

  • Non-hazardous waste (in containers) FDM 21-35-30
    • DT1229 nonhazardous waste drum inventory
    • DT1208 nonhazardous waste container label (not electronic, needs to be affixed to the drum). Contact the regional environmental coordinator for labels
  • Hazardous waste FDM 21-35-35
    • DT1231 hazardous waste inventory record
  • Lamps and Ballasts - use the mandatory contract
  • Lead paint from bridges CMM 130.3
  • Nonstandard Materials FDM 21-1 and the table below

Refer to FDM 21-1 for procedure for submitting materials for screening and analysis.

Material (Trade Name)

Safety Data Sheet

Waste disposal method for raw product

As-installed analytical results

Waste Disposal Method for installed material

Fibercrete

Fibercrete Safety Data Sheet

DNR Licensed solid waste landfill only.

Fibercrete Asbestos results

Fibercrete analytical results

DNR-licensed solid waste landfill only.

  • Follow the guidance in FDM 21-35
  • Follow the recommended schedule (FDM 21-35-12) on Phase 2.5s, remediation planning necessary for construction.
  • Coordination of remediation with construction is difficult for last minute revisions, so start as early as possible with Phase 2.5 work. Remember:
  1. If the remediation is not large (less than $75,000) or involves hazardous waste (RCRA), use the specialty consultant contractors.
  2. You must have approval of the materials handling plan and hazmat special provisions from the WDNR prior to advertising for bid.
  3. Use pre-bid meetings for projects with remediation in the let cycle

(Statutes and the Administrative Code are found on the Wisconsin State Legislative website)

See FDM 21-35-25 for applicability:

Having completed a Phase 1 investigation for the improvement under consideration, the region has determined that further investigation of sites is merited. Those investigations are in the process of being scheduled. The WDNR and possibly affected parties will be notified of the results. The region will work with all concerned to insure that the disposition of any petroleum contamination is resolved to the satisfaction of the WDNR, WisDOT, and FHWA before acquisition of any questionable site, and before advertising the project for letting.

Non-petroleum sites will be handled on a case-by-case basis with detailed documentation and coordination with FHWA as needed.

See FDM 21-5-1 section 1.6 for language to use for bridge asbestos.

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