This document describes how hazardous wastes can complicate highway agency real estate transactions. It desbribes the risks and liabilities associated with the ownership of contaminated property under federal and state law. It offers guidance on how a highway agency can modify its project planning, property appraisal and acquisition, construction, and property management practices to minimize the risks associated with discovering and having to clean up a hazardous waste site. It describes how highway agencies can modify their decision-making and organizational structures to respond to this problem. It also explores the potential role of hazardous waste contractors. A synthesis of the specific techniques and technologies used by experts to identify and remediate different hazardous waste problems is provided. With this document, highway officials are provided with an information resource which they can use to develop operational hazardous waste plans tailored to their specific problems and needs.
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