Independence Teams with Mascaro Construction on CONSOL Energy Pipeline Project

Independence Excavating’s next adventure in the state of West Virginia is a project to install approximately15 miles of fused High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipeline through the hills for collecting and treating mine water. We joined Mascaro Construction of Pittsburgh, PA as part of their team for the Consol Energy project. The project was bid on and awarded this fall. Our crews mobilized immediately in October. The project is slated to run over the winter months on an aggressive schedule in order to connect the pump stations that are being constructed by Mascaro Construction and to have a fully operational system in the fall of 2012.

One of the challenges of this project is the terrain that the pipeline is crossing. The project stretches over an 11‐mile right‐of‐way over 19 ridges. The route includes borings, streams and highway crossings. The pathway is up and down steep slopes as well as rock faces, through wet areas and around numerous transmission lines and other utilities. With these challenges comes the logistics of supplying and maintaining resources in remote locations along the pipeline while keeping the crews on schedule. We will have to maintain two crews at each end of the project working toward the center through the winter months in the rough terrain. The crews have already contended with an unusually wet fall, and will soon contend with whatever wintery conditions are in store.

Although a bit muddy, the project is off to a great start. The project is moving full steam ahead into the winter months thanks to the efforts of everyone involved in the project including Mascaro Construction, Consol Energy, Triad Engineering, Simplified Alternatives, Carr Precast, Jimmy Dunn Excavating, MEC Construction, and the West Virginia Division of Highways and Department of Environmental Protection. We are also very fortunate to have the forces to perform the project thanks to IUOE Local 132 Operators (WV), Local 379 Laborers (WV), Local 18 Operators (Ohio), Local 66 Operators (PA), Local 860 Laborers (Ohio), and Locals 1058 and 323 Laborers (PA), as well as our field managers and the intricate planning of our shop support staff.

In the end, Independence Excavating will be an integral team member of Mascaro Construction, helping them manage the water from mines and ultimately improve the environment of Northern West Virginia.