Melanie Lekocevic reports in Capital Region Independent Media that the the Holcim plant in Ravena is tearing down some its structures, and building a new access road. The company is spending $4.5 million on construction at the cement plant in southern Albany County, and said it is doing it just out of the kindness of its heart. Robert McGehee, director of Environment and Land at Holcim, said, "This was not spurred by any action other than us just wanting to be better neighbors than we have been in the past.” The skyline in Ravena will change slightly, as the company tears down structures they are no longer using. “The reclamation will take place using modern methods to dismantle equipment safely,” McGehee said. “No explosives whatsoever will be used. Obviously we are very close to the school, so that was the biggest thing for us for this project – zero use of explosives. All the processes and methods that are employed will minimize any vibration, dust, noise, etc.” The company says it will monitor air quality during the deconstruction, which should be completed by the end of the year. Holcim also is building a new access road for the quarry, to redirect truck traffic off portions of Jarvis and Mountain roads and onto plant-owned roads and county streets. “Reducing truck traffic on these roads will improve air quality, reduce noise and improve overall quality of life for residents along the roadway,” according to a statement from the company formerly known as LafargeHolcim. Read more about this story at TheUpstater.com.