Presque Isle Downs

The next Pennsylvania chapter for Independence Excavating takes us to Erie and right in the thick of the race to bring slot-gaming to the State of Pennsylvania. Presque Isle Downs (part of MTR Gaming Group, Inc. of West Virginia) has contracted with Independence Excavating for the mass earthwork and site packages for a horse race track and clubhouse/slot casino on approximately 300 acres off Interstate 90 in Erie. The scope of work consists of excavation and embankment for approximately 1.7 million cubic yards of material, storm sewers, sanitary sewers, water lines, two arch span culverts under the race track, a truss bridge, paving and landscaping. Also paramount to the work is the protection of Walnut Creek, a well-known fish habitat which bisects not only the site itself, but a significant cut-to-fill in order to construct the main clubhouse. The duration of the project takes us through 2007, but includes some aggressive interim milestones for preparing areas for building and other trade contracts.

The project had many complexities to overcome before work could be started. The project was bid in the spring of 2005, in several packages that were eventually combined into the overall scope that we are building today. Upon completion of an exhaustive review of the bid, Independence had to go through a compliance check with the Gaming Commission. Another hurdle holding up the original start date was the owners' progression within the state for gaining the gaming license.

Independence worked through the winter in one of the prime "lake effect" locations moving over 600,000 cubic yards of structural fill to provide the owner with a building pad ready for foundations in mid-February. With the start of earthwork in fall versus the spring, it was necessary for Independence to bring the conditioning resources of Flex-Tech Resources to the project. Continuing the earthwork through the winter and providing the owner a building pad by February 24, 2006 without skipping a seasonal beat was critical to the project schedule. The conditioning operation was a key factor in the ability to structurally place the soil within the contract specifications during the continual barrage of Lake Erie moisture.

There were other complexities that needed to be overcome once construction was started. A good portion of the cut material lay on the west side of Walnut Creek and was destined per plan for the main embankment on the east bank. The solution for crossing the creek was not a simple structural crossing for the haul operations, but a structure that would span and protect the creek waters in light of the recognized sensitivity and importance of the creek as a natural resource. Walnut Creek is a well known habitat for fish in northwest Pennsylvania and the protection of that creek was an absolute priority to the area in preserving the natural resource. The resulting temporary span was installed above the 100 year flood-way for 110 linear feet between the banks with 8-foot tall steel beams. This bridge was meticulously placed for trucks to safely traverse over the floodway, and at the same time, safely travel beneath high voltage supply lines.

Beyond the priority for protection of the creek and the weather, the project has rose to answer challenges with respect to the underlying site. Addressing sub-surface soil conditions for bearing of the earth embankment in former floodway channels, as well as the arch culvert foundations beneath the future racetrack required close coordination with MTR's design and construction management consultants. In a concerted team effort, these conditions were addressed and the project continued, as resources were managed to continue the work in meeting the deadline for having the building pad ready.

Now that spring is here, the focus of resources for Independence will continue on the site package, which is concentrated on providing the necessary facilities to bring the main clubhouse operational in November 2006. The actual race track and remaining support facilities will continue in construction until completion in 2007.

In specific note, the success of this project will be realized with the efforts of all of the project team members. Our thanks and appreciation go out to Patrick Arneault of MTR/Presque Isle Downs, Joseph Milicia and Dick Corbett of Turner Construction Company -- Pittsburgh, Shelane Buehler of WRBA Architects, Henry T. Welka Engineers, and PSI as the geotechnical consultant. Independence field staff includes Dave Bevan, Chuck Begue, Rich Schieferstein, Tim DeMarco and Frank Kordinak. The support of our subcontracts and suppliers will also be integral to the success of the project including RL Johnson, Century Steel, Doan-Pyramid-Keystone Electric, Fisher Trucking, ACF Environmental, Erie Sand and Gravel, Ballast Fence, Howard Concrete Pumping, Jeff Zell Consultants, Shelly and Sands Inc., McCormick Paving, Mack Industries of PA, Midwest Landclearing, Richmond Pipe and Valve, Richfield Landscaping, and S&T Well Drilling. Finally, the success of the project will also be the result of the hard work and dedication of the individuals of the DiGeronimo Companies for the completion of the race to bring gaming to Pennsylvania in a first-class, efficient operation.