Category Archives: Projects

Projects

Project Spotlight: HPFF Utility Hole Emergency Repair

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INTRODUCTION

During the week of Thanksgiving, a third-party contractor inadvertently damaged an existing 138kV high-pressure fluid-filled circuit in Philadelphia, resulting in a leak of dielectric fluid near the manhole wall. InfraSource was promptly notified and mobilized civil crews to address the issue. The entire repair process was completed within 12 days of the initial notification of the damage.
SCOPE OF WORK

InfraSource crews excavated the manhole wall and removed the concrete around the existing pipe to assess the damage. A temporary clamp was applied to control the leak. The repair consisted of removing existing hydraulic bypass piping and installing a welded sleeve repair. All new bypass piping and valves were installed, vacuum pulled, and the line was refilled. Carbon fiber Atlas Wrap coating was applied to the sleeve of the pipe, and heat shrink and wax tape coatings were applied to the rest of the exposed pipe for protection.

Our dedicated team brings over 100 years of combined experience installing underground high-voltage transmission lines. Contact us to learn more.

A pipe underground.
InfraSource fixing a pipe underground.
Projects

Project Spotlight: Plymouth 138/147 Mainstem Replacement

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InfraSource has successfully delivered various solutions to the Electric Distribution and Transmission industry, and our team brings over 100 years of combined experience installing underground high voltage transmission lines.

With the completion of this job in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, the crew successfully reduced the likelihood of disruption, leaks, failures and other hazards associated with outdated infrastructure.

Before starting work, the team conducted a thorough inspection of the existing infrastructure to determine its condition and the necessary work. They checked for any potential hazards, existing utilities and environmental concerns that could affect the process.

This project involved the installation of several complex components, including about 10,000 feet of four to five-inch duct package, one manhole, 24, 207-feet of three phase cable, elbow sets, two underground switches and six poles.

The crew used cold splicing to join wires and cable and interruption splicing to join conductors. These required strict adherence to safety protocols due to exposure to high voltages – particularly interruption
splicing, as it is performed while systems are live.

Aerial terminations were performed to connect the overhead lines to the power grid. These had to be Carefully done with safety protocols at the forefront due to the high voltage involved, and the fact they have to be able to withstand wind, rain and ice.

Projects

Project Spotlight: Coy Road Widening & Gas Main Relocation

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This newer project we worked on was located in Oregon, a suburb of Toledo, Ohio. The city of Oregon needed assistance replacing two gas lines during a road widening project. The project would widen Coy Road, one of Oregon’s major streets, by about five feet, resurface the existing asphalt pavement and replace missing sections of sidewalk.

The completion of the project helped the City of Oregon improve traffic flow, safety and accessibility in the community.

The team successfully moved 63 services and relocated 1,452 feet of two- and four-inch-high pressure steel and 4,957 feet of two, four and six-inch plastic gas mains.

Projects

Project Spotlight: Fault Locate & Repair

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The purpose of this project in Haverford, Pennsylvania, was to fix a faulted underground electric cable in a residential neighborhood. Repairing the cable would prevent further damage to the cable or surrounding infrastructure and enhance the reliability of the electrical distribution system.

When the team got to the location, they used a Mega Beast 80-amp service tester and SPITFIRE secondary fault locator to pinpoint the location of the underground cable fault.

Once the fault was located, the team cut out the damaged portions of the cable and spliced them together using four connectors. Three feet of heatshrink tubing was placed over the splices and heated to conform closely to the cable and splices, insulating the material. Lastly, the repaired cable was tested to ensure it was secure and functioning correctly.

InfraSource crews worked tirelessly to repair the fault, ensuring disruptions to homes and businesses were
kept to a minimum. They successfully prevented a hazardous situation from occurring and reduced the likelihood of future outages.

Projects

Project Spotlight: 3201 Cuthbert Street

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For this big project, the team was called on to install underground conduits to a new building on the Drexel University campus. The building is set to house the largest life sciences facility in the city.

Before laying conduits, the team located any existing underground utilities and made sure the site was cleared to ensure a safe working environment. They used a mini excavator to dig the trenches, making sure they were deep enough to meet local codes and wide enough to fit the conduit and allow for
backfilling.

Conduit in various sizes were installed, including 180 feet of 10.5-inch, 218 feet of 12.5-inch and 72 feet of
14.5-inch.

With the conduits underground, they will be less susceptible to wear and tear, lasting longer and requiring less maintenance for the university.

Projects

Project Spotlight: Installation of Residential Natural Gas Service

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This project, located in North Wales, Pennsylvania, involved running a new gas service to a home where the homeowner wanted a natural gas service. The new service provided the homeowner with a more reliable and environmentally friendly energy option for heating, cooking and other needs.

When the crew arrived at the site, they assessed the area, looking for existing utilities and other obstacles. Once they determined the area was clear, they began digging trenches to accommodate the new gas lines. They installed one-inch plastic pipe in the trenches and placed tracer wire and marker balls so the line could be located during future excavations or maintenance.

With the successful completion of the project, the homeowner had a more reliable, environmentally friendly and efficient energy option.

Projects

Project Spotlight: Installation of New Gas Main

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One of our newer projects in Elkhart, Indiana, involved the installation of new gas main in a subdivision. The new main will increase capacity for 40 new homes as the subdivision grows.

When the crew got to the site, the first step was to make sure the land was sloped for the proper drainage and alignment of the gas main. Hydro excavation was utilized to reduce the chance of injuries and minimize damage to existing utilities.

The crew installed 3,100 feet of corrosion-resistant three-inch plastic distribution gas main, known for its flexibility and durability. Once the new main was successfully installed, the crew ensured all the gas
main was captured digitally through the Trimble Unity system. This improved efficiency and ensured
compliance with industry regulations.

Using modern materials and the newest technology, InfraSource helped decrease the likelihood of power
outages for residents as well as safety concerns.

Projects

Project Spotlight: Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Replacement

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Natural Gas Pipeline

Our latest project in Kentucky involves replacing the outdated natural gas infrastructure with a modern, state-of-the-art pipeline. This upgrade ensures safe and reliable service for customers, utilizing advanced monitoring equipment and inspection technology.

The gas pipeline replacement activities include clearing, grubbing, welding, lowering-in, testing, and restoration. This project covered approximately 18,280 linear feet of 24-inch steel pipe, which was backfilled with sand and an additional sand-water mix for extra padding. The team navigated unmarked utilities, often using hand digging or vacuum excavation to avoid damaging existing infrastructure.

We also managed multiple trenchless installations, including a 3,587-foot horizontal directional drill, four 24-inch conventional road bores, and four stream crossings. The project included directly burying approximately 1,730 linear feet of 24-inch steel pipe.

The pipeline traversed residential neighborhoods, including yards and roads. Our team coordinated daily with homeowners to ensure their driveways remained accessible. The residents expressed great satisfaction with our team’s efforts.

As we continue to make strides in this project, we remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficiency.

Projects

Project Spotlight: Electric Broken Cross Storm Response

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Electric Overhead – Storm Response

In the late evening hours, a severe thunderstorm swept through Maryland, bringing high winds, lightning, and heavy rain. The storm caused widespread damage to the power infrastructure, leaving around 57,000 residents and businesses without electricity at its peak.

Understanding the critical nature of the situation, we swiftly mobilized our crews, arriving on the scene within an hour. Our team immediately began repairing a damaged cross brace on a 13kV line. This involved securing overhead cables, clearing debris, and reinforcing the structure to handle the power load.

Thanks to their quick and efficient work, the 13kV power line was repaired and stabilized, significantly reducing the outage duration. Power was restored promptly, minimizing the storm’s impact on the community. Our crews continued to support additional repairs and restoration efforts until power was fully restored to all affected areas.

We are proud of our team’s dedication and efficiency in responding to this emergency. Their hard work ensured that the community could return to normalcy as quickly as possible, demonstrating our commitment to reliable service and community support.

Projects

Project Spotlight: N-S Connector Installation for System Reliability

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Natural Gas

In today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of gas systems is paramount. Our latest project aimed to modernize our client’s gas infrastructure, enhancing its capacity and resilience while maintaining uninterrupted service for all customers.

We installed a new 12-inch HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) pipeline to connect the existing north and south HP (High-Pressure) natural gas systems. Approximately 15,000 feet of main installation was carried out by trenching. Additionally, we completed three directional drills, adding another 1,500 feet of 12-inch HDPE pipeline.

The successful completion of this project stands as a testament to our team’s expertise and dedication. By finishing on schedule, within budget, and with minimal change orders, we have not only met but exceeded our client’s expectations. This modernized gas system is now poised to deliver reliable service for years to come, reflecting our commitment to excellence and innovation in the energy sector.