How to dispose of radioactive pipe questioned

Friday, May 12th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tulsa-AP) -- The Oklahoma Transportation Authority and a construction company are quibbling about who will pay to dispose of radioactive oil pipe found during construction on the west extension of the Creek Turnpike.

Transportation Secretary Neal McCaleb says he believes financial responsibility for salvaged material lies with Carter Excavating, which was hired to grade the path of the extension.

But Carter's contract states that the Oklahoma Transportation Authority must make arrangement for the disposal of hazardous material.

Department of Environment Quality inspectors tested the pipe yesterday. D-E-Q spokesman Michael Dean says inspectors determined that it contains low levels of radiation that do not pose a health risk.

Dean says the pipe will probably have to be taken to an Utah landfill sanctioned for hazardous materials.