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 OnTrack
Summer 2003
Table Of Contents:
FEATURE METHOD: TRENCHLESS
Construction of
Light pole bases on Charlestown Street.
Boring rig drilling through an intersection.
Vacuum excavation at NHS project.
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What is Trenchless? Trenchless is a method contractors like Commonwealth Electric, Kiewit Construction, and Progressive Electric utilize on many of their projects. Progressive Electric is currently incorporating Trenchless Technology to install new decorative pedestrian lighting for the City of Lincoln along Charlestown Street near Haymarket Park. General Excavating directionally drilled over 3,000 feet of 1 1/2" conduit for the project. Utilizing Trenchless Technology, General Excavating is able to complete the project without the typical problems associated with open trenching. Those problems include; tree removal, street and sidewalk demolition, safety issues related to open trenches, road closures, and the cost of restoration. According to Joe Tyler, Project Manager for Progressive Electric, "There were just too many complications to consider anything else besides directional boring on this project."
Trenchless Technology can also be applied to building projects. When Kiewit Construction Company began the NHS Center for Clinical Excellence, one of their first steps was to identify the location of existing underground utilities. General Excavating, working as a subcontractor to Kiewit, used a method called vacuum excavation to locate the buried pipes and electrical lines. Vacuum Excavation utilizes the kinetic energy in a high velocity water stream to penetrate, expand, and break-up the soil. The loosened material is then removed with a powerful vacuum. Vacuum Excavation provides greater safety by eliminating the risk of costly utility interruption.
The installation of new water and sewer lines is another application for Trenchless Technology. This past year the City of Papillion recently upgraded a section of their water system. General Excavating was called upon to directionally drill over 10,000 feet of 10", 8" and 6" water main. "Directional Boring was less disruptive. There were too many mature trees, retaining walls and landscaping features to use open trenches to install the new lines," stated Jim Brunner, Project Manager for General Excavating.
Directional Drilling provides a superior method for the installation of underground utilities on many projects. Commonwealth Electric is another contractor who used Trenchless methods on their project. General Excavating was asked to directionally drill over 11,000 feet of 2" and 3" HDPE conduit for the City of Lincoln along South Street. "The conduit that was placed is being used to upgrade traffic signals as well as provide a future route for the installation of fiber," commented Paul Hoegemeyer, Job Foreman for Commonwealth Electric.
As existing infrastructure continues to age and be replaced, many engineering firms and municipalities are realizing the advantages of Trenchless methods. The ability to replace gas, sewer, water, telephone, or electrical lines with a minimum of disruption to the community makes Trenchless Technology a vital component in underground utilities construction. Bob Hendricks, Project Manager of General Excavating's Directional Boring Division, states, "A greater number of jobs are calling for directionally drilling. Engineers and public works officials are realizing that boring is an excellent alternative on their utility projects."
For a free Directional Boring Video or to request additional information, contact General Excavating's Business Development Director.
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The directional drill maneuvers under busy streets and roadways, while avoiding utility interruption.
Utility lines and/or conduit is pulled back through as shown.
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CITY OF GRAND ISLAND - SUCK'S LAKE
ShoreGuard... Shoreline Restoration... BEFORE & AFTER
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The City of Grand Island wanted to address an eroding shoreline at Suck's Lake. Uncontrolled erosion would soon be encroaching upon a bike path and sidewalk that extended around the perimeter of the lake. Nebraska Dredging, a division of General Excavating, was hired to install over 550 feet of ShoreGuard. ShoreGuard is a system of interlocking vinyl sheet piling designed to withstand wave action while adding strength and beauty to the bank of the lake. Crews from General Excavating also installed a header wall to help control the level of water in Suck's Lake. Olsson Associates was the engineer for this project.
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TIME FOR A NEW TUNE!
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General Excavating has been in the business of digging and filling holes for a long time but Bill Hogan's retirement from General Excavating has created one hole that might be impossible to fill. After 18 years of service, Bill has decided that it's time to kick the music career into high gear.
Bill began his work at General Excavating as an estimator focusing primarily on dirt moving projects. After a brief stint as the company dispatcher, Bill returned to his role as estimator for the utilities division where he worked closely with Lowry Engstrom to form a team that helped grow General Excavating into a leader in underground construction. Business development was another hat wore by Bill long before the position existed or the phrase was popular in marketing. Professionalism and commitment to client satisfaction are trademarks of the success General Excavating has enjoyed largely because of the contributions of Bill Hogan.
Music has always been a passion for Bill. He is spending many of his weekends on the road playing blue grass country or tending his music store. Bill has been and will continue to be a fixture at music festivals across the state. Thank you Bill for your dedication and good luck on your future endeavors!
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PROJECT BRIEFS
Hydraulic Versi-dredge
operating at Regents Heights.
Construction of a junction box
at Calamus Fish Hatchery.
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#1 Nebraska Dredging, a division of General Excavating, dredged over 7,350 yards of silt to lower the floor of the Regents Heights residential subdivision lake. A containment dike was excavated and built up to hold the dredged material. Over 7,000 yards of silt and debris was hauled off the site on this project. A Hydraulic Versi-Dredge was used to complete the project. "It is a beautiful area and the removal of so much silt will enhance this lake even more," stated Mike Stewart, Project Manager for General Excavating.
#2 General Excavating recently completed Drainage Modifications on the Calamus Fish Hatchery for the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. The project called for modifying the drainage structures associated with the hatchery pond including the canal system, inlet structures, and installing all the piping on the project. General Excavating installed HDPE piping ranging in size from 36 inches to 60 inches. "The project went well, the schedule was met and everyone involved was pleased with the work," stated Jeff Broman, Project Manager and engineer for Nebraska Game & Parks.
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ROCK ON... LANDSCAPING DAYS
The materials were hauled out by trucks, trailers, cars, and by buckets. Glacier Boulders, Plumwood Flagstone, Hardwood Mulch, River Rock, Pond Kits, Cottonwood Edging and a large variety of other HARDscape Materials were purchased and picked-up by hundreds of customers who visited General Excavating's 8th Annual Landscaping Days. For three days customers took advantage of the large savings made available to kick-off their spring and summer projects. Demonstrations on installing Retaining Walls and Pond Kits were also held as "do-it-yourselfers" armed themselves with the knowledge needed to turn their yard into an outdoor paradise. "I am excited about how the event continues to grow. Customers tell me they plan their projects around this weekend," commented Ed Ring, Materials Sales Manager for General Excavating. "Customers have asked about a fall event as a way to get a jump on projects they want to complete at the end of summer. Because the spring event is so popular, we are in the planning process for a Fall Landscaping Days in September," added Ed.
Visit our HARDscape materials calculator at www.generalexcavating.com to figure how much material you will need for your next landscaping project.
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PHOTO OF THE QUARTER
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This quarter's photo winner is Dennis Willeford. Dennis is a project foreman and has been with General Excavating 9 1/2 years.
This photo illustrates the auger boring of 24" steel casings for underground utilities. General Excavating installed four casings, 30 feet in length on the NHS Center for Clinical Excellence project. Precision was essential as the target area was an existing tunnel on the west side of the pedestrian passage. General Excavating worked for Kiewit Construction Company on this building project.
For more information or additional copies of this newsletter, contact Business Development, ge@generalexcavating.com
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