Independence "Locks Down" on FCI Hazelton

This January Independence Excavating bid the site work contract on the new Federal Correctional Institute Hazelton. Even though the site was covered in four feet of snow, in March, Independence began mobilization for the construction season and positioned to meet a very aggressive construction schedule. Erosion and sedimentation controls were established through the spring to mitigate any negative consequences of construction on the area's pristine West Virginia wilderness.

Mass earthwork started May 19, and entailed approximately 800,000 CY of total earth movement, 600,000 CY of blasted rock moved to two fill locations, and a demanding August 13 hard delivery date. That's 52 schedule days! Independence successfully completed all mass earthwork operations within the schedule. The assistance and resources of Beckley Drilling and Blasting were integral in meeting this challenge. The two fill areas were a side slope fill and a valley fill. The valley fill is nearly 60 ft deep in some locations and required dynamic compaction (calculated dropping of a steel weight for fill consolidation). In addition to the aggressive schedule, Hazelton West Virginia presented challenging site conditions, which kept our equipment and support shops busy.

Storm/utility installation began shortly after mass earthwork started. The project entailed installation of five miles of storm sewer pipe, most going into blasted rock trenches, just over one mile of sanitary sewers also in blasted rock trenches, and two miles of new domestic/fire water service in blasted rock trenches. Along the way Independence also had the opportunity to team up with onsite mechanical and electrical contractors to excavate for the myriad of utility/ electrical/communication spider webs that a state of the art facility of this magnitude demands. Independence expects to wrap up utility work this fall. A short remobilization will happen next year to put some finishing touches on grading and grass.