Tag Archives: InfraSource

Project Spotlight: Plymouth 138/147 Mainstem Replacement

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the crew successfully reduced the likelihood of disruption, leaks, failures and other hazards associated with outdated infrastructure.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.

Project Spotlight: Coy Road Widening & Gas Main Relocation

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.

Project Spotlight: Fault Locate & Repair

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.

Project Spotlight: 3201 Cuthbert Street

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.

Project Spotlight: Installation of Residential Natural Gas Service

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.

Project Spotlight: Installation of New Gas Main

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.

How InfraSource Supports Workplace Safety: The Good Catch Program  

One of the pillars of our company is safety, and we want to ensure it is always at the forefront of every employee’s mind. One way we achieve this, is through the Good Catch Program.

The Good Catch Program encourages employees to be vigilant of their surroundings and always be on the lookout for things that could be potential hazards. The first Good Catch was spotted as an apprentice was preparing to climb a pole during a job. As the apprentice was inspecting the site, they noticed a live wire was touching the pole, putting the crew at risk for electric shock or injury. The crew stopped all work and safely addressed the hazard. 

The second Good Catch was found during a manhole inspection. The crew spotted a primary electrical fault – an abnormality that can disrupt the normal flow of electricity and cause electrical shock or fire. They immediately stopped all work, and the fault was reported and scheduled for repair. By being diligent, the crew prevented a potentially dangerous event from happening.

The final Good Catch occurred during a pole replacement, when the crew noticed something did not look right with one of the cables. Upon further inspection, they found one of the protective devices around the cable had failed, leading to a damaged wire. The crew stopped their work and repaired the wire and cable, preventing a possible hazard.

Through diligence and attention to detail, our crews have successfully prevented potential hazards from turning into dangerous situations, ensuring a safe working environment for all.

InfraSource – DOD SkillBridge Partner! 

We are proud to announce that InfraSource has officially become a DOD SkillBridge partner! This partnership allows us to contribute directly to the professional growth of transitioning service members while benefiting from their incredible expertise and dedication. 

“Becoming a SkillBridge partner is not just an exciting milestone for InfraSource—it’s a meaningful way for us to support those who have served our country,” said Stephanie Krabbe, Sr Vice President of Organizational Development. 

We are proud to be a part of this important program and look forward to welcoming service members onto our team so they can continue to make an impact.

What is DOD SkillBridge? 

DOD SkillBridge is a Department of Defense initiative connecting service members nearing the end of their military service with civilian job training opportunities. Through this program, service members can participate in apprenticeships, internships, or industry training programs during their last 180 days of active duty. This provides them with a seamless transition to a civilian career by gaining real-world experience and skills. 

Encouraging Workplace Safety with the Good Catch Program

At InfraSource, safety is one of our core values. The Good Catch program encourages our team to be vigilant of their surroundings and look for things that could be potential hazards in the workplace. 

The first Good Catch stood out because our team’s attention to detail prevented an unscheduled power outage. The team was working on a scheduled railroad crossing job when they noticed an aluminum conductor was melted. While the team was waiting for approval to make the necessary repairs, a tree fell downstream of the job site, causing the line to trip. The team worked together to make repairs at both locations, preventing a potential outage.

Another notable Good Catch was made when the team found a piece of mislabeled electrical equipment. The team worked with the System Operator to verify their findings and label the equipment correctly, preventing an error in the future.

Our final Good Catch is important because the team successfully identified and resolved a hazardous situation. The team noticed a basket cutting into the secondary riser at a job site. Testing revealed the basket was energized at 120V, exposed along the wire and pole. The issue was fixed, and a potentially dangerous situation avoided.

InfraSource’s commitment to safety is evident through the Good Catch Program. Our team has successfully prevented numerous hazards through their attention to detail and dedication to keeping a safe working environment.

Project Spotlight: Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Replacement

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.