Underground Infrastructure - October 2023 - 25

Tunnel
withstand external earth loading. Once
the tunnel excavation was successfully
completed and inspected, Harper
Brothers lowered each 72-inch water
line section into the shaft and pushed it
into the tunnel, which is known as carrier
pipe threading.
A pipe walkthrough of the tunnel carrier
pipe was done to check for conformance
with specifications. The annular
space between the pipe and the shaft was
grouted, and the shafts were backfilled to
the surface.
The contractor faced unprecedented
challenges with this project including
the onset of the pandemic reaching the
Houston area just one month after the
construction notice to proceed was issued.
Safety of field workers was the greatest
priority. The team quickly adapted to
new restrictions and safety protocols.
The project also faced material shortages,
as a result of the pandemic. In addition,
the project endured Texas's historic
Winter Storm Uri, when temperatures
plunged to record lows in the Lone Star
State. Without missing a beat, the contractor
was proactive in ensuring materials
- especially long lead items - arrived
on schedule, to keep the project on track.
The Construction Notice to Proceed
was issued in February 2020, and was
substantially complete in August 2022.
" Completion of historic 79-foot-deep
tunnel with an invert level 33-feet below
sea level was a result of exemplary engineering
knowledge, construction skills,
team work and project management, "
said Singarpal Singh Sekhon, P.E.,
CCM, PMP, ENV SP, Houston Public
Works project lead. " Continuous coordination,
cooperation and communication
among the contractor, engineer,
project management team and other
stakeholders helped to accomplish such
a complex project within budget and
minimal disruption. "
This project received the American
Public Works Association Texas
Chapter Project of the Year for
Environments ($25-million to $75-million
category). Houston's legacy continues
with its trail-blazing water infrastructure
expansion initiatives.
Thanks to these initiatives, the city
of Houston's drinking water system
maintains a " Superior " rating, the
highest rating for water quality issued
by the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality. UI
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Christine Kirby, P.E., ENV SP
with Lockwood, Andrews,
and Newman Inc. (LAN), has
more than 20 years of civil
engineering experience
specializing in water infrastructure. She has
expertise with the development of specifications
for pipe design, linings and coatings, as well as
geotechnical review, environmental site
assessment (ESA) preparation, route evaluations,
right-of-way (ROW) acquisition assistance and
private agency coordination. Kirby is the chair
of two AWWA Committees and is a licensed
professional engineer in seven states.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam (LAN) Inc.,
(713) 266-6900, lan-inc.com
Harper Brothers Construction LLC,
(713) 893-4593, www.harperbro.com
Akkerman Inc., (800) 997-0584,
akkerman.com
Field tested and proven for over 34+ years.
Wherever extensive corrosion conditions exist, the
SewerGard® 210 System
can offer long term asset protection.
The 96-inch diameter earth pressure
balance machine from Akkerman entering
the receiving shaft after completion of
the 874-foot tunnel excavation.
info@sauereisen.com | sauereisen.com
UndergroundInfrastructure.com | OCTOBER 2023 25
http://www.lan-inc.com http://www.harperbro.com http://www.akkerman.com http://www.sauereisen.com http://www.UndergroundInfrastructure.com
Underground Infrastructure - October 2023

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