Following a review of air quality data in Cheakamus, Whistler Council has agreed to continue buying local asphalt and discontinue air quality testing around the South Whistler asphalt plant and quarry. The decision was made in the Feb 20 council meeting.
The municipality had moved its asphalt purchasing power to Whistler Aggregate Ltd.’s Squamish plant a couple of years ago due to concerns regarding the dust, truck traffic, and particulate created by purchasing from the company’s plant just south of Cheakamus.
However, with a new recycled asphalt option and a modern exhaust scrubbing system to reduce emissions, the Council had decided in 2021 that buying locally was the best option given the 2030 GHG reduction goals.
The move back to paving Whistler roads with Whistler asphalt was made to monitor air quality and keep track of the expansion of hours needed to fulfill the new orders. Last week, the Council reviewed the air quality data that showed the air remained consistently within the acceptable range recommended for all periods outside of forest fires, paving the way for a buy-local approach to local roads.
At $60,000 a year for the testing, the council decided they’ve seen the metrics to know they made the right move, paving the way for a buy-local approach to local roads.
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