The project involved installing Pre-stressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe (PCCP) using the open cut method and tunneling method for the Great Lakes Water Authority. The project route started at the intersection of Tyler and Hannon, proceeded East on Tyler Road, then turned North on Cogswell Road then headed East on Wick Road in the City of Romulus Michigan. Major Project Components included:

1. The installation of approximately 16,200 linear feet of 48-Inch PCCP in roadways in the City of Romulus.
2. The installation of a 470 liner foot 72-inch casing tunnel under the CSX railroad.
3. The installation of six 48-inch gate valves, three 42-inch gate valves and one 36-inch gate valve.
4. The removal and replacement of approximately 10,000 tons of HMA roadway.

The PCCP pipe was installed at depth ranging from 10 feet to 30 feet deep along the road right of ways. Due to the narrow roadways in the work area, the work limit widths were restricted to 50 feet or less for the majority of the construction. For the CSX railroad tunnel crossing, extensive investigation and soil conditioning was undertaken in order ensure the protection of the active railway. A high water table and coarse sandy materials in the railroad influence required Ric-Man to design and install a ground grouting program to ensure the stability of the railroad during tunneling operations. The railroad restricted the total ground movement for dewatering and tunneling activities to less than 1” which required and intricate grouting system to firm up the soils below the railroad to protect the rails and passing cars. The grouting program and tunnel was successfully completed without incident.

Furthermore, along Tyler Road, a 30-inch and 8-inch gas main ran parallel to the pipe installation for the entire length. Ric-Man was required to coordinate with DTE on a daily basis for pipe installation in this area. At some locations, the separation between the new PCCP main and the existing gas lines was as little as 24-inches requiring significant care in the installation of the pipeline. Also in Tyler Road, Ric-Man installed the new PCCP main under live petroleum transmission lines. A 24-inch, 16” and 12” high pressure petroleum line crossed the new pipeline construction on Tyler Road. This installation required coordination between Ric-Man, Sunco Pipeline and DTE (since the 30” gas main was also in the excavation) in order to successfully cross the mains without incident. Careful and meticulous planning occurred with the entities to ensure that the installation did not negatively affect their assets.