Tire dumps occupy road crews

VIGO COUNTY, Ind,. (WTHI) - Two trucks dumped about 60 junk tires along several roads in eastern Vigo County earlier this week, leaving a potentially-dangerous mess, county highway crews reported.

One highway worker reported seeing the trucks, noting that both carried piles of tires bound together with bungee cords. When the drivers of the trucks pulled out the cords, the tires fell behind.

Dan Bennett, assistant superintendent of the county highway department, said the clean-up took several hours.

“The 60-some tires that were dumped off took us a day and a half to pick them up, process them and give them away,” Bennett said. “It’s not time we can afford to spend on tire disposal.”

County highway workers say they often have to clean-up items illegally dumped alongside and on roads, including construction materials, used furniture and tires.

Health officials warn that tires can be particularly problematic, since they can attract and house disease-carrying insects.

“Tires are a breeding ground for mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus,” said Joni Wise of the Vigo County Health Department. “They’re a fire hazard, they’re an environmental hazard and they do cost the taxpayers a lot of money in the long run.”

Officials say the large number of tires dumped in cases like this indicate the tires may have come from a business, not an individual.