Independence Mobilizes to McKeesport, PA for West Shore Sanitary Sewer Project

Beginning this past December, Independence Excavating (IX) began mobilizing along the west shore of the Youghiogheny River in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. The West Shore Sanitary Sewer Construction Project was awarded to IX by The Municipal Authority of the City of McKeesport in the Fall of 2011 for the installation of over two miles of sanitary force main.

Upon mobilization, we began coordination with PennDot to set up a project required detour to close several thousand feet of River Road. We also began coordination with the Regional Trail Authority (RTC) to assist in re‐routing an active bike trail that crosses several areas of our work zone. In addition to PennDot and RTC, coordination with CSX was a high priority as the majority of the scope runs parallel to an active set of railroad tracks. where a section of the force main must be bored and jacked. CSX dispatched AECOM to help coordinate flagging and safety requirements.

While coordinating with all parties the first of two IX pipe crews began installation of 6,575 linear feet of 30’ ductile iron pipe. This section of the force main contains over 25 fittings, four air and vacuum release vaults, and ties into a 27’x17’x15’ precast meter vault that our crews will be setting in late winter. In order to complete the 30’ section of the force main several areas must be bored and jacked under roads, bridge abutments, and railroad tracks. All of these jack and bores will be 48’ diameter casing pipe and will total over 550 linear feet.

The second of two crews began installation of 4,906 linear feet of 36’ ductile iron pipe. In this section of the force main, IX crews will install 24 fittings and three air and vacuum release vaults. The majority of this portion of the project will be completed in a closed area of River Road and will run through the property of several McKeesport area businesses, which will all require careful coordination to ensure that the effect to their daily operations is minimized.

To round out the project we will be performing various restoration items including over 40,000 tons of premium backfill for 15,000 square yards of state highway paving, multiple asphalt and concrete driveway repairs, and installation of new sections of sidewalk.

IX would like to thank The Municipal Authority of the City of McKeesport and KLH Engineers for their hard work and coordination efforts that will all but guarantee a successful project. We would also like to recognize the hard work of Centerline Boring, Inc., Poland Concrete Products, Hanson Aggregates, Trumbull Industries, Beth’s Barricades, and PSE, Inc.