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Richmond Chemical Weapons Destruction Plant Nearing Completion

Richmond officials announced Tuesday that the Blue Grass Chemical Weapons Destruction Plant is 90 percent complete. 

Work began on the facility in 2009 and soon project managers expect to begin a three-year testing phase where personnel will ready equipment and familiarize themselves with procedures.

Site project manager Jeff Brubaker says mustard rounds are scheduled to be the first weapons destroyed once all the systems are in place.

"They will be destroyed in a separate facility that's going to use explosive destruction technology. We look to begin that operation and destroy 15,000 mustard projectiles in 2017," he says.

The main processing plant is slated to come online the following year.

For now, Brubaker says the construction process is running on schedule.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.