DOE says protective cover placed over Hanford tunnel after collapse

A protective cover has been placed over a Hanford tunnel, storing nuclear-contaminated equipment, which partially collapsed in the beginning of May.

Hanford officials say workers successfully installed the covering to provide additional protection until a long-term plan can be developed. A day after the hole was discovered, crews filled it in with dirt and sand.

Officials say when a portion of the tunnel initially collapsed, it was found that there was no spread of contamination and no workers were injured in the incident or the response.

The plastic cover itself has a high density polyethylene woven core and is resistant to puncture, abrasion, chemicals, ultraviolet rays and oxidation. Over the start of this week, officials say crews will also be stringing cables across the cover to provide extra screening.

The site is near the Plutonium Uranium Extraction Facility.