The cleanup process is expected to take several years.

An 18-acre area on the west side of Indianapolis has been included on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Priorities List for long-term groundwater contamination cleanup. The West Vermont Superfund site is near Main Street in Speedway and includes the Allison Transmission campus. The designation opens up the opportunity for federal funding to support remediation efforts.

The EPA says the contamination source is unclear and the investigation is ongoing. The initial remedial investigation is expected to take between one and two years, which will be followed with a feasibility study, which would also take one-to-two years.

The EPA says the chemicals detected include Trichloroethylene, which is used as metal parts cleaning solvent; Tetrachloroethylene, which is used for dry cleaning and metal degreasing; and Vinyl Chloride, which is used in vinyl and plastic production and can be formed when substances like the aforementioned chemicals break down.

After the analyses are complete, the EPA will choose and alternate and propose a plan of action for cleanup, which will be followed by a public comment period. A final plan will be selected and launched, with ongoing monitoring likely even after the process is complete.

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