In 2019, federal McCook Quarry transitioned from surface mining to underground operations, raising safety concerns among nearby residents.
Four years later, Giovanni Barraza, a homeowner in Brookfield, voiced his and his community’s worries about potential structural damage and dust from underground quarry blasts.
“The vibrations from the blasting have caused visible cracks in the walls, ceilings, and foundation of my home,” Barraza stated at a Brookfield board of trustees meeting last month.
Heidelberg Materials, a company that runs the quarry, uses the resources to produce construction materials for roads and buildings and often supplies the Department of Transportation, according to Jeff Sieg, director of corporate communications. The company has installed seismographs at the quarry and select residential properties to monitor ground motion and ensure operations remain within safe limits.
In response, Sieg mentioned the installation of air monitors at the blasting sites. “Most of the dust is contained due to the underground setting. Surface mining did produce more dust, but it’s uncertain if current dust issues are related to blasting,” he said.
“We have buildings and properties on-site, so it’s counterproductive to cause damage to our assets or those in the neighborhood,” Sieg explained.
Quarry blasting typically occurs six days a week, Monday through Saturday, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. However, the quarry is in its regular seasonal shutdown, which began on March 14, 2023, and will last until early spring 2024, while the company sells its materials.
If residents encounter dust, it could be crushed stone, which Sieg assures is a natural and safe material. He emphasized the company’s open communication with residents, informing them of blasting changes through in-person visits, emails, calls, and messages.
Sieg encourages those suspecting blast-related damage to contact Heidelberg Materials, promising evaluations by company personnel.
Despite concerns, Sieg said he does not foresee an end to quarry blasting due to the valuable natural resources it provides.
Tim Wiberg, Brookfield’s village manager and a member of the quarry committee, noted the village’s lack of authority over blasting, which is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ state guidelines.
He added that after the Dec. 11 meeting, he reached out to Barraza and explained the same information.
The quarry committee, which meets quarterly, reviews resident complaints but often finds no grounds for action. “Most complaints simply report a low blast from the previous day, leaving us with no specific issues to address,” Wiberg said.
Residents with grievances can reach out to the Lyons Township Quarry Council hotline at 1-866-934-3278.