ML20132A997

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Submits VA Segment of Nuclear Assurance Corp Route Approval
ML20132A997
Person / Time
Site: 07003020
Issue date: 12/10/1996
From: Jackie Cook
NRC
To:
NRC
Shared Package
ML20132A993 List:
References
NUDOCS 9612160412
Download: ML20132A997 (1)


Text

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DEC 1 0 L996 Note to:

Docket Number 070-3020 From:

John R. Coo

~

Subject:

Virginia. segment of NAC route approval NAC has requested a route approval for the shipment of research reactor spent i

fuel form McMaster University (Ontario, Canada) to the DOE plant at Savannah i

River.

SFP0 subsequently requested Region II to survey the West Virginia and i

Virginia (VA) segments of the route.

VA Routing in this area would normally i

use Interstate-77 (I-77), however, this shipment is overweight, and exceeds j

the weight restriction for an overpass located on I-77.

The proposed alternate route used U.S. Route 460 (US-460), Virginia Route 100 (VA-100), and i

U.S. Route 11 (US-11), to connect to Interstate-81 (I-81), that rejoins I-77.

)

In accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation (D0T) regulations regarding highway routing for spent fuel, the VA Department of Transportation (VAD0T) designated VA-100 for spent fuel shipments in this area on March 11, 1994.

i i

The Region-II route survey identified an issue with regard to the use of VA-l 100 and US-11. The Region noted that portions of these routes were only two-i lanes wide (without guardrails), and traversed hilly terrain. The Region recommended that the shipment continue on US-460 (a divided highway) to reach l

I-81.

The Route-460-only alternate, however, is a longer route (vehicular accident probabilities increase with mileage driven), and traverses the i

populated municipal areas of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, Virginia.

j I contacted Blake Williams, NAC, and suggested he contact VAD0T about using i

US-460 in lieu of VA-100 and US-11, and he complied. He reported that VAD0T j

was not in favor of the US-460-only alternate, due to concern over routing through populated areas.

VAD0T reported that there are no sharp turns or steep grades on VA-100, and l

that VAD0T maintains a road maintenance vehicle dispatch facility on VA-100.

VAD0T did agree to eliminate the U.S. Route 11 segment (the shipment will j

remain on VA-100 to I-81, a change that will shorten the route).

1 Per telephone conversation on December 9, 1996, Region II was advised by SFP0 l

that D0T regulates routing safety, that DOT regulations authorize states to i

designate preferred routes for spent fuel shipments, and of the VAD0T decision 4

on this route. The final route approval will stipulate the use of US-460 and l

VA-100.

l cc:

Charles Haughney, SFP0 l

Susan Shankman, SFP0 1

Earl Easton, SFP0 Bruce Mallett, RII i

William Tobin, RII l

t I

i 9612160412 961211 PDR ADOCK 07003020 C

PDR

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