Description

Thomas/Wright, Inc. prepared final plans and specifications for a transfer station which replaced the Florence Landfill. The facility is sized to handle approximately 100 tons per day. The Florence Transfer Station is the first shallow pit facility in the Northwest. Waste is transferred within a 9,000 square foot building that is enclosed on three sides. Self haulers back into one of seven stalls on the open side of the building. Self haulers dump their waste onto a waste processing floor six feet below the stalls. This is a significantly less drop than the more traditional waste receiving pit, but was determined to be sufficient to separate the public from the waste processing without exposing them to the dangers of a deep pit. A special cable system was designed to facilitate quick removal of the safety cables when it is necessary to accommodate a truck with self discharging capability.

Commercial haulers are routed directly to the waste processing floor where they can discharge their larger load close to the transfer trailers and where they can be separated from public self haulers. Waste is top loaded from the waste processing floor into the transfer station trailers by a rubber-tired loader. By selectively loading the trailer, the Owner is obtaining the legal limit for waste hauled without using expensive compaction equipment. Axle scales have been installed to weigh the trailer.

The project included analyzing future waste flows, evaluating transfer technologies, recommending a location for the facility on the landfill property, and recommending the type and amount of transfer equipment required to operate the facility. The design includes a new scalehouse and scale; a concrete slab for recycling containers; 1,200 feet of waterline; a pump station and 1,000 feet of force main; storm drainage improvements; and paved access roads. Thomas/Wright, Inc. provided contract administration during construction.