Port Authority engineers and independent experts examined the condition of existing paint on all of the Port Authority's bridges in recent years. They subsequently outlined a maintenance program with recommendations for both best practice and ensuring state-of-good-repair.

1. What major lead paint removal and repainting project is currently underway at the Outerbridge Crossing?
A contract was awarded in 2004 for paint removal and repainting of the New Jersey and New York Viaducts at the Outerbridge Crossing, which involves over 1,000,000 square feet of steel surface area. The contractor initiated work on the New York Viaduct in early summer 2005, which was completed in November 2005. Work on the New Jersey Viaduct will begin in spring 2006. The painting season extends from March through November of each year and project completion is expected in 2008.

2. What can I expect to see at the Outerbridge Crossing as a result of this repainting project?
At the Outerbridge Crossing, the bridge contractor will store equipment and materials within two secured, fenced areas - one below the New York Viaduct and one below the New Jersey Viaduct. Workers will install a containment platform underneath each viaduct, first in New York and later in New Jersey. In addition, the contractor will have stationary equipment located under each viaduct, starting in New York and then moving to New Jersey. The contractor will construct a fully enclosed work area on both platforms covered with tarpaulin. These containment enclosures will be moved along each viaduct as the work progresses.

All paint removal and repainting will be carried out within the containment areas. The work crew will use abrasive blasting to remove the old paint down to the bare metal.

3. Will the air be monitored while work is in progress?
YES. The Port Authority maintains a consultant who conducts an independent assessment of activities by performing air sampling in designated areas around the Outerbridge Crossing whenever paint removal is taking place. These large 6 ft. high aluminum units monitor the surrounding air for lead dust and large particles. This monitoring, in conjunction with continuous observations for visible emissions, verifies that the containment structures are effectively controlling the lead dust from entering the environment.

4. Will the paint removal or repainting endanger the surrounding neighborhood or passing motorists?
These painting projects follow established "best practices" and procedures, or protocols for protecting the environment and monitoring compliance designed to minimize risk of lead exposure to the surrounding community, motorists, other bridge employees and the project workers themselves. The containment structure and other precautions described below are required to prevent paint dust or particles from being released to the surrounding environment during this work.

5. What precautions are being taken to protect the environment?

All paint removal is done within a fully enclosed work area; the contractor is directed to allow no visible emissions of dust or particles during paint removal.

Negative air pressure is maintained in the work area during paint removal operations, so that air would flow into, rather than out of the containment structure.

An independent inspector is on-site monitoring each containment area where paint removal is in progress. The inspector can halt work immediately if there is any evidence of a breach in the containment.

Air sampling equipment called TSP Lead Monitors will be placed at appropriate points surrounding the work areas. The locations selected will be based on wind patterns and areas of any potential exposure. Results will be read daily by an independent laboratory, and will be available for public inspection throughout the project.

Bidding for these projects was limited to firms pre-qualified by the Port Authority based on an effective track record in doing this kind of work.

Old paint mixed with the abrasive and dust is removed from the work area using vacuum systems that are fully enclosed. Debris is processed and put into drums on site, which are sealed and secured before removal.

6. Why is this work needed?
The Outerbridge Crossing, opened in 1928, has been repainted numerous times. Until the 1970's, the Port Authority and other bridge owners used paints containing lead, which provided the best and longest lasting protection. After health authorities banned the use of lead paints to protect public health, alkyd coatings were used. The newer paints need to be applied more frequently and they can ÒdisbondÓ from the older paint as the thickness of the paint increases on the structure. This leads to cracking and peeling that exposes the underlying steel to corrosion. In addition, paint chips, some including lead, could fall off the structure.

The Port Authority convened its bridge engineers with specialists in steel protection, paint chemistry, bridge maintenance, and environmental protection to consider whether the bridges should just be repainted, and to identify the Òbest practicesÓ for paint removal, worker safety, environmental protection and repainting. They also reviewed the experience of other public work agencies with similar bridges and conditions. The recommendation of these specialists was to remove the old paint and repaint the structures.

7. What paint system is the Port Authority using and what is its expected life?
The application is a three-coat paint system that includes a zinc primer, epoxy intermediate coat and a urethane topcoat, and has an expected life of 25 years with moderate maintenance.

8. Is a lead permit required by the contractor to do this type of work?
NO. Contractors that perform work on bridges are exempt from the requirement to apply for a permit under the Uniform Construction Code.

9. Must the contractor be certified to conduct this type of work?
YES. Employees of the contractor are required to obtain individual worker/supervisor licenses from the state. These licenses qualify the supervisors and workers as competent to carry out their respective duties while maintaining the health of the workers and the integrity of the environment.

10. Are lead abatement activities regulated by the government?
YES. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a Lead Standard (29 CFR 1926.62) in 1993 which outlined all occupational safety and health requirements that must be followed when disturbing lead-based paint. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established standards for compliance with air, water and soil regulations that the contractor must also follow.

Hoses will extend from the containment areas to carry the lead dust into vacuum equipment that will collect the dust into approved lead waste containers. The fenced areas will also include secure storage for the containers containing the lead waste, shower and changing areas for the work crew, and parking for the contractor's trucks and equipment. As each section of the viaduct is cleaned and repainted, the containment areas will be cleaned and reassembled for the next section on the viaduct. When paint removal is in progress, the sealed containers holding the debris will be removed regularly for appropriate off-site disposal. Motorists and local residents will hear the abrasive blasting operations.

The contractor will provide security on the work site, and signage in English and Spanish, prohibiting access to the secured area and information about the project. As part of its environmental monitoring plan, the Port Authority will place and maintain air-sampling equipment in the New York and New Jersey areas surrounding the bridge.

11. What kind of personal protective equipment will the contractor's workers be wearing?
All workers removing the lead-based paint will be wearing supplied airline respirators. Other workers will be wearing either full-face or half-face respirators with high efficiency particulate air filters (P100/HEPA) depending on their specific tasks. All workers will be wearing full protective clothing, tyvek or coveralls, gloves and hearing protection.

12. Will signs be posted near the containment areas?
YES. You will notice signs around the work area that designate it as a restricted area only accessible to authorized individuals. The signs will be posted near each containment and state the following:

WARNING
LEAD WORK AREA
POISON
NO SMOKING OR EATING

13. What happens to the old paint removed from the bridge?
Paint and abrasive blasting debris are sealed into drums meeting required specifications at the work site. The drums' contents are sampled to verify the appropriate disposal technique. The drums are removed from the site by a licensed hauler to a regulated hazardous disposal facility.

14. Which public agencies has the Port Authority conferred with regarding the Authority's bridge painting program?
Before awarding the first two contracts of the painting program -- the George Washington Bridge New York Lower Tower project and the Outerbridge Crossing Truss Span project, the Port Authority shared the draft contract specifications with the New York City Department of Health and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, among other agencies with public health and environmental protection responsibilities. Environmental exposure standards and monitoring methodologies conform with or go beyond all applicable standards of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, the Port Authority has conferred with the New York State Department of Health, Middlesex County, New Jersey public health authorities, and environmental specialists on the staffs of local elected officials.

15. Where can I get more information about lead and public health?
You can call the New Jersery Department of Health at (609) 588-4068 or 3124.

16. How do I contact the Port Authority if I have a question?
Please visit our Web site at www.panynj.info and click on "feedback."