Winter 2007

LES Rokeby Generating Station - General Excavating has built a reputation of excellence by specializing in unique below grade construction projects. While the Secondary Containment and Fuel Piping Improvement Project included a great deal of below grade work, it was the challenges above ground that required the most attention. Heavy rainfall, manufacturer delays, a unique pipe project, and a compressed schedule all played a part in pushing General Excavating and their subcontractors to find ways to overcome challenges on this Lincoln Electric System improvement project.

Following the design of Olsson Associates, work commenced with the enlargement of the containment cell. However, soon after the start of construction heavy rainfall left four to eight inches of water in the basin. Scrapers were unable to remove the mud and vegetation on their own so the muck was pushed into piles and loaded into the scrapers with an excavator. The LES Rokeby Generating Station located on the outskirts of Lincoln is the primary peaking power station for the Lincoln Electric System. EPA requirements dictated enlargement of the existing containment cell in the event of a rupture or failure of a 5 million gallon fuel oil storage tank. If General Excavating failed to meet the schedule deadlines, the power station would be unable to comply with EPA regulations and begin its operation of storing fuel oil.

Excavation of the secondary containment system at the LES Rokeby Generating Station.

Another main component of this project included abandoning an existing fuel oil line with flowable fill and installing new double-walled steel pipe protected by an outer layer of fiberglass. The new PermaAlert Ultra steel pipe required a great deal of labor for successful installation. The 40' pipe was first air tested, then welded together by Nifco Mechanical for installation of eighty-foot sections into the trench. The new joints were hand wrapped with fiberglass in the ditch. The pipe also possessed a leak detection system that would alert the owner in case of future leaks. The abandoned fuel oil supply pipe that criss-crossed the proposed construction route hampered excavation for the new fuel oil supply pipelines. Communications, other existing utilities, a chain link fence, asphalt parking lot, as well as a retaining wall stood in the way of construction of the new piping.

General Excavating was able to meet the demands of the job allowing the LES Rokeby Generating Station to continue its normal operation without disruptions. The success on this project was due in large part to the well-qualified subcontractors collaborating on this project. An EPA approved containment system as well as new double walled steel pipe with leak detection is now in place to address the needs of the LES Rokeby Generating Station and their capacity to provide power to the residents of Lincoln.

Duain Colburn, Mark Abbott, Randy McDonald, and Rich Roberts recently completed their OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER training. As part of General Excavating's Environmental Division, Duain, Mark, and Rich will construct remediation systems and complete HAZMAT clean-up projects for clients throughout the Midwest.

“This project was especially challenging and demanding due to the very short construction schedule.”

• James Burroughs, PE
• Olsson Associates

Project

• Humboldt Downtown Renovation
• Humboldt, NE

Owner

• City of Humboldt

Engineer

• Gilmore & Associates, Inc.

Scope

• Renovation of eight downtown blocks including storm sewer, sanitary sewer, water mains and associated work.

Project

• LES-DES Phase 2 Distribution Piping
• Lincoln, NE

Owner

• District Energy Corporation

Engineer

• Farris Engineering, Inc.

Scope

• Construction of distribution piping to the Court House Plaza and 900 J Building and associated work.

Project

• Oak Creek Basin Trunk Sewer
• Lincoln, NE

Owner

• City of Lincoln

Engineer

• HDR Engineering, Inc.

Scope

• Installation of over 3,000 lineal feet of 42-inch sanitary sewer including the construction of a twelve-inch siphon under Oak Creek.

Project

• Underground Storage Tank Installation
• Crete, NE

Owner

• Bunge North America

Engineer

• Bunge Milling, Inc.

Scope

• Removal of a concrete lid and installation of a 15,000-gallon fiberglass tank and associated work.

An opportunity for General Excavating's employees to show others the work they perform. Winner's receive cash and have their photo displayed at General Excavating.

Dale Hanson submitted this quarter's winning photograph. A project foreman, Dale has worked at General Excavating for nearly 3 years. Dale completes a wide range of water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer projects for private and public owners throughout the area.

General Excavating, working for Nestle Purina Petcare Company, constructed drainage improvements at the Nestle Purina plant in Crete, Nebraska. The photograph illustrates the excavation seen through the 72" corrugated metal pipe prior to its installation.