This letter is in regards to a question I have about the proposed Southeast Roadbuilders rock-hauling issue. A few weeks back it was quoted in the Chilkat Valley News that 7,500 cubic yards of material would be moved at a rate of 10 trucks per hour, 6 days a week for three years. Something is not correct with those figures.
A typical dump truck (Kenworth, Mack, etc.) with two, rear-drive axles has a load capacity of 10 yards. According to the amounts quoted, 10 trucks an hour would move 100 yards of material per hour. If 100 yards is being moved each hour in a 10-hour day, that means 1,000 yards per day being hauled. At that rate, it would take 7.5 days to move 7,500 yards of material, not three years. The math does not support what was said in the story.
Chris Schelb
Editor’s note: Three years refers to the duration of the permit, not to the number of days rock would be hauled.