HURRICANE DEBRIS REMOVAL REACHES 570,000 CUBIC YARDS IN UNINCORPORATED MONROE COUNTY, LAYTON AND KEY COLONY BEACH WITH HELP OF FDOT CONTRACTORS

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Hurricane debris removal has been taking place for nearly a month. Progress continues at a steady pace with the collection of approximately 570,000 cubic yards of vegetative, construction and other debris collected in unincorporated Monroe County and in the municipalities of Layton and Key Colony Beach, which contracted with the County to provide its hurricane debris removal.

The debris has been collected in neighborhoods and along U.S. 1 by Monroe County’s contracted hauler Ashbritt Environmental and Florida Department of Transportation contractors. Ashbritt Environmental has collected 250,590 cubic yards and estimates it is about halfway done its territory. FDOT contractors have collected 319,329 cubic yards, which includes 170,702 cubic yards along County roads and 149,625 cubic yards along U.S. 1.

“The County is fortunate FDOT has been able to provide contractors to help with the unprecedented amount of hurricane debris we had throughout the Keys following Hurricane Irma,” Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi said. “We are very appreciative of this much-needed assistance to complete the debris removal. which is an important part of the Keys’ recovery.”

AshBritt Environmental is handling Key Largo to Tavernier, Conch Key and Mile Marker 15 to Stock Island and now has 64 trucks operating in unincorporated Monroe County. AshBritt-contracted crews have removed more than 250,000 cubic yards of debris and taken it to four temporary debris management sites in the Keys. They also have removed more than 3,000 white goods (appliances), which will have any Freon removed and then be recycled.

In the Upper Keys, Ashbritt has been working on County roads from MM 112 through MM 92 in Tavernier and in neighborhoods along CR905. It will complete a first pass on all roads before a second pass begins.  Monroe County Public Works crews have been following behind Ashbritt to collect debris from private roads and move it to the closest public right of way, where it can then be collected by the contractor.

In the Lower Keys, Ashbritt is collecting debris on Stock Island, Big Coppitt Key, Key Haven, Rockland Key (Oceanside), Baypoint, Geiger Key and Rockland Key. The contractor will continue through neighborhoods to complete a first pass before beginning a second pass.

FDOT is handling hurricane debris removal from MM 16 to MM 40 in the Lower Keys and in Layton and Duck Key in the Middle Keys.

So far, FDOT contractors Munilla Construction Management and OHL/Community Asphalt Corp. have hauled about 170,000 cubic yards from the hardest hit areas of the Keys from MM 16 to 40.

Multiple passes will be made throughout neighbors. During passes, contractors will collect different types of debris. Don’t worry if the vegetation is left behind and only the construction and other debris is collected or vice versa. Contractors will come back for the other type of debris.

Residents can help facilitate the debris removal process by following these requirements:

  • Stack hurricane related debris on the county right of way (road shoulder) in front of homes. It must not block the road or driveways.
  • Do not put debris on vacant lots of other property. It will not be picked up.
  • Separate into five groups: vegetative debris, seaweed, household appliances, non-vegetative debris and household hazardous waste, which includes paints, cleaners, etc. (It is recommended you bring your household hazardous waste to one of the County’s three transfer stations).
  • Hurricane debris needs to be separate from regular household trash. Contents of refrigerators should be thrown out in regular trash. This gets picked up by regular garbage collection.
  • In the areas that have vacuum sewers in Key Largo and Tavernier, make sure not to stack debris near sewer system breathers, which are not in the right of way. In the Upper Keys they look like small concrete pillars.
  • In the areas that have vacuum sewers in Key Largo and Tavernier, make sure not to stack debris near sewer system breathers, which are not in the right of way. In the Upper Keys they look like small concrete pillars.
  • Debris also should be kept away from fire hydrants and utility poles.

Things that are not eligible for free pick up by hurricane debris contractor include: cars, trucks, motor homes, motor cycles, trailers, boats or other watercraft and car parts like tires.

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keysrecovery.org * facebook.com/MonroeCountyFLBOCC/ *@monroecounty

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