The director of transportation has determined that it is feasible to use in the construction of highways sands, gravel, and soils that contain varying amounts of petroleum products resulting from the upgrading of underground storage tanks. In order to maximize the beneficial reuse of these petroleum contaminated sands, gravel, and soils, the director shall establish a program to promote the reuse of these materials as highway construction materials.

Not later than one hundred eighty days after the effective date of this section, the director of transportation, in consultation with the chief of the bureau of underground storage tanks and the director of environmental protection, shall issue highway construction specifications that facilitate the reuse of petroleum contaminated sands, gravel, and soils that are removed during the repair, removal, or closure of underground storage tanks that are under the jurisdiction of the chief of the bureau of underground storage tanks. Following issuance of the specifications, the director of transportation shall prepare and distribute to any interested party information describing the program of the department to facilitate the reuse of such petroleum contaminated sands, gravel, and soils in the construction of highways.

In order to accumulate a sufficient and ready supply of petroleum contaminated sands, gravel, and soils that meet the specifications, the director of transportation is authorized to construct and operate temporary covered structures in locations that are in close proximity to highway projects and accumulate bulk quantities of these sands, gravel, and soils for reuse. These materials shall be made available to the department of transportation and its contractors for reuse on highway construction projects.

As used in this section, “petroleum” has the same meaning as in division (J) of section 3737.87 of the Revised Code, except that it does not include used oil.