Description

Thomas/Wright, Inc. designed the new scales/scalehouse and entrance gate facilities for the existing County-owned and operated Roseburg Landfill, and assisted Douglas County with construction engineering. The current projects include a review of disposal and transfer station alternatives, design of a new transfer station and lateral landfill expansion, contract administration of these two facilities, and assistance with regulatory compliance, permitting, and community relations.

The review of disposal alternatives included waste characterization, diversion, and recycling opportunities; waste export with private operation; landfill expansion; and siting a new landfill. The transfer station alternatives analysis reviewed configurations, including open multi-bay, enclosed, materials recovery facility, and a baler facility, and applied and adapted these to three potential sites. Evaluation criteria included "zero visibility" to the adjacent freeway and residents to the south, feasibility, ease of operation, environmental concerns, permitting and regulatory requirements, and cost. Cost of construction, operation, and maintenance were estimated for each option, and compared on the basis of life cycle costs. The County chose to expand the existing landfill and build a public transfer station.

Thomas/Wright, Inc. designed a 19-acre lateral expansion to the landfill, which includes excavation of about 400,000 cubic yards of soil and weathered rock, installation of seepage controls, a drainage blanket, a composite liner with leachate collection, a leachate conveyance pipeline and connection to an existing pump station, a perimeter access road, and storm water controls.

Thomas/Wright, Inc. designed the public transfer station facility. This effort involved close coordination with the County's Environmental Operations Group to tailor the station to fit the expected level of use and County equipment. Douglas County plans to use its new 125-yard transfer trailers at the facility. The site layout includes six transfer trailer bays for waste collection, six drop box bays for special wastes, and a nine box recycling drop off area. Screening the transfer station was a critical component to minimize the facility's impact on the adjacent community. Landscaping incorporated excess soil from the lateral expansion to create berms and used native coniferous and deciduous plants to blend in with the existing vegetation.