Safety is the fi rst priority for the Environmental 

Management mission at the U.S. Department of Energy 

(DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada 

Site Offi ce. In fact, this commitment to safety is integrated 

at DOE sites that generate and transport low-level and mixed 

low-level waste to the Nevada Test 

Site (NTS) for permanent disposal.

Waste generators are responsible for 

ensuring that waste is packaged and 

transported in a safe and compliant 

manner. These generators and the 

contracted commercial carriers 

must comply with U.S. Department 

of Transportation regulations, NTS 

Waste Acceptance Criteria, and 

other applicable federal, state, and 

local regulations and requirements.

Routing Preferences

U.S. Department of Transportation regulations 

require carriers to select routes which minimize 

radiological risk. In addition, the NTS Waste 

Acceptance Criteria addresses waste transportation and forbids 

low-level and mixed low-level waste shipments across Hoover 

Dam and through the Las Vegas metropolitan area.

In combination with theses requirements, the Nevada Site 

Offi ce has identifi ed preferred routes (see map on reverse side) 

and advises generators to conform to the following guidelines:

• Avoid heavily populated/congested areas in the state of 

Nevada (including the Las Vegas Beltway, I-215)

• Avoid Davis Dam (AZ-68 and NV-163)

• Use the northern route, I-80 (see map on reverse) during 

summer months (May - October)

• Use the southern routes during the winter months (November 

- April), but divide shipments between CA-127 and NV-160 

(see map on reverse)

• Direct carrier drivers to complete the 

mandatory driver questionnaire

The Nevada Site Offi ce may suspend generator shipments 

if waste is not transported in compliance with the identifi ed 

requirements and guidelines.

Emergency Response

A Nevada Site Office grant funds emergency 

preparedness activities and resources in 

counties near the NTS. This grant is funded by 

an additional fee charged to generators which is based upon 

the volume of waste disposed. By the end of fi scal year 2009, 

approximately $9 million dollars will have been distributed 

to Clark, Elko, Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye and White Pine 

counties to enhance emergency response capabilities.

The Nevada Site Offi ce also strives to accommodate a 

request by the State of California to limit the number of 

shipments that travel along California Highway CA-127 

due to extremely limited and remote emergency response 

capabilities (see blackout dates on reverse).

Carrier: The trucking company which transports radioactive waste from the generator site to the Nevada Test Site.

Generators: U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Energy sites that generate low-level and mixed low-level 

radioactive waste through cleanup activities.

U.S. Department of Transportation: The federal agency which regulates the packaging and transportation of radioactive 

materials in accordance with Title 49 in the Code of Federal Regulations.

Defi nitions

Transporting Low-Level Waste to the Nevada Test Site 

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For information on all Nevada Site Offi ce Environmental Management activities visit: 

www.nv.doe.gov/envmgt

Preferred low-level and mixed low-level waste 

transportation routes to the Nevada Test Site.

2009 Black-Out Dates for CA-127

Generators must advise their carriers to avoid transporting lowlevel and mixed low-level waste shipments along CA-127 on the 

following dates:

Dec. 28, 2008 - Jan. 4, 2009; Jan. 16-19; Feb. 13-16; Mar. 14-15; 

Mar. 30-Apr. 19; Apr. 23-28; May 8-10; May 22-25; Jul. 3-6;

Sep. 4-7; Oct. 9-12; Oct. 30 - Nov. 1; Nov. 6-11; Nov. 25-29;

Dec. 20 - Jan. 4, 2010

Permitted Shipments

I

n addition to any required hazardous 

material permits and prior to 

movement in Nevada and any 

neighboring state, overweight and/or 

oversized shipments must possess the 

appropriate state-issued permits. When 

applying for such permits, all carriers to 

the NTS must declare that the load is 

radioactive material, and specify intended 

routes. Annual permit holders carrying 

radioactive materials to the NTS are also 

limited to specific routes. Approved 

routes, such as NV-160, may be further 

restricted due to bridge weight capacities, 

width/height limits, or work zone lane 

restrictions. Carriers should be aware of 

all current postings on www.nevadadot.

com/business/trucker/.

For more information, please contact:

U.S. Department of Energy 

National Nuclear Security Administration

Nevada Site Offi ce

Offi ce of Public Affairs

P.O. Box 98518

Las Vegas, NV 89193-8518

(702) 295-3521

envmgt@nv.doe.gov

www.nv.doe.gov

Transporting Low-Level Waste to the Nevada Test Site

DOE/NV--990 REV4 • July 2009