Tag Archives: Natural Gas

InfraSource’s Women’s Employee Resource Group Celebrates Women in Construction Week

March 2-8 is Women in Construction Week™(WIC). Established by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) in 1998, WIC celebrates and promotes the role of women in the construction industry. 

What better time to spotlight our Women’s Employee Resource Group (ERG)? This group kicked off in December 2024 with the mission to foster inclusivity and support women within the organization. The ERG has adopted the name LIFT, which stands for Leading Infrasouce Females Together. 

A Vision for Support and Representation
The idea for the Women’s ERG began with Stephanie Krabbe, Senior Vice President of Organizational Development, who recognized the need for more support and representation for women in the construction industry. “The goal of creating the Women’s ERG is to foster an inclusive environment that supports the professional and personal development of women within our organization,” she explains. “It provides a space for women to connect, share experiences, and access resources that can help them advance in their careers.”

Meet the LIFT Leadership Team

InfraSource’s Women’s ERG is led by a passionate group of women, including Chair Danie Adamic, Vice-Chair Holly Luehring, Communications Chair Marissa Sitton, and Membership Chair Shaun McGuire. Each brings a unique perspective and a shared commitment to empowering women at InfraSource.

  • Danie Adamic, Chair, began her journey at InfraSource nine years ago as a fuser. Now an OQ Evaluator, she’s dedicated to inspiring women to step outside their comfort zones. “You don’t know what you can do unless you try,” she says, encouraging others to be bold and take risks.
  • Holly Luehring, Vice-Chair, started her 25-year career in construction as a marketing intern. With the help of mentors and allies, she built a successful career by taking on new challenges and continually learning. Holly envisions the ERG as a space where women can uplift and support each other. “Don’t be your own roadblock. Take a chance and believe in yourself,” she advises.
  • Shaun McGuire, Membership Chair, brings 16 years of experience in the auto industry to her role as Fleet Coordinator at InfraSource. With a focus on connecting women across the company, Shaun is committed to fostering growth and mentorship.
  • Marissa Sitton, Communications Chair, is the corporate fleet manager who manages the company’s fleet operations. She’s eager to create open communication channels and facilitate collaboration within the ERG.

Building a Culture of Empowerment

The Women’s ERG is a platform for building confidence, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities for women at InfraSource. United by a shared passion for mentorship and advocacy, the group is paving the way for a more inclusive workplace.

As the ERG grows, it will not only provide support for women at InfraSource but will also inspire the development of additional employee resource groups. Ultimately, it’s all part of the company’s commitment to creating a positive workplace culture.

Look for more from the LIFT this week as the group takes over our social feeds.   

INFRASOURCE LIFT LOGO

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: 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.

Project Spotlight: N-S Connector Installation for System Reliability

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.

Project Spotlight: Creek Gas Main Replacement

Natural Gas

In a remarkable feat of engineering and coordination, our crew successfully completed a jack and bore operation to cross a creek. This critical project involved the installation of 1,150 feet of gas main to replace the existing pipeline, which needed to be relocated to accommodate a new bridge construction.

The installation included approximately 150 feet of 8-inch coated steel inserted through a 12-inch steel casing, with 8-inch HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) on either side to tie into the existing infrastructure. This meticulous process ensured the new facilities were clear of all new bridge footings, with the jack and bore operation conducted at a depth of 23 feet beneath the creek bed.

Despite encountering significant rock during excavation, our team extended daily work hours and did weekend work to keep the project on schedule. Their dedication and flexibility were crucial in meeting the project’s deadlines and ensuring the contract with the bridge contractor remained on track.

This project serves as a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to excellence and our ability to overcome challenges. We are proud of the hard work and dedication demonstrated by everyone involved.

Project Spotlight: Accelerated Pipe Replacement Program

Natural Gas

The Accelerated Pipe Replacement Program is an ongoing pipeline replacement project aimed at modernizing and enhancing the resilience and safety of our client’s natural gas distribution system. Upon completion, this project will have upgraded a 1,200-mile network, ensuring a more reliable service for all customers.

Before beginning any work, our team sent letters to all affected customers in the community. We also notified relevant oversight bodies about the planned work and provided a timeline. Our project coordinators and general foremen took extra steps to personally contact homeowners, either by phone or in person, to explain the work, its impact, and the expected completion time.

To execute the project, our team utilized multiple dump trucks, backhoes, mini-excavators, and skid steers. Daily tasks involved working with pipe, backfill material, and hot mix for temporary repairs. Maintaining excavated tie-in holes overnight was crucial, requiring the use of multiple shoring boxes. Specialized fittings were necessary for tie-ins to the larger 8-inch steel mains, which are not typically used every day. The crew also collaborated with a customer-provided tie-in team to complete these connections.

Bare Steel Main Replacement

The project team successfully installed 1,210 feet of 4-inch and 8-inch plastic mains, creating four separate tie-ins with existing 4-inch and 8-inch steel mains. Additionally, 12 existing services were converted to the new main. During installation, crews encountered unmarked and unmapped utilities, underscoring the importance of proper trenching techniques and proactive planning.

4 Main Replacement

The 4 Main Replacement marks a significant phase in the Accelerated Pipe Replacement Program. In this stage, crews installed 595 feet of 2-inch PLA 20# gas main. The project also included replacing 21 service mains and a 6-inch cast iron main. Additionally, 653 feet of 6-inch cast iron gas main were safely abandoned in place, with one end sealed and a purge riser installed on the other to ensure the safe removal of gas. 

The Accelerated Pipe Replacement Program is a testament to our commitment to providing safe and reliable natural gas services. Through meticulous planning, community engagement, and expert execution, we are proud to enhance the infrastructure that serves our valued customers. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to make progress on this vital project.

Project Spotlight: Strip 15 Remote Control Valve

Natural Gas

At InfraSource, we offer comprehensive solutions to your natural gas, oil, and electric power needs. Utilities and pipeline operators choose us for our extensive expertise, vast resources, and unparalleled range of services. With roots dating back to 1954, we have established ourselves as industry leaders, known for our performance, integrity, and, most importantly, our commitment to safety and quality.

To demonstrate our gas capabilities, we are showcasing our recent project, the Strip 15 Remote Control Valve (RCV) project. This project involved the fabrication and installation of RCV facilities along our client’s transmission pipeline, referred to as “Strip 15.”

The scope of work included replacing Valve 13 on Strip 15 with a straight 24-inch pipe and substituting a 24-inch tee with an elbow. Additionally, we ensured the associated facilities were suitable for in-line-inspection (ILI) and proper abandonment of the adjacent blowoff connection.

All tasks were completed safely on a heavily trafficked roadway, demonstrating our ability to excel in constructing congested urban areas.

We are committed to delivering exceptional results while maintaining the highest safety and quality standards. Our successful completion of the Strip 15 RCV project is a testament to our expertise and dedication. We look forward to continuing to serve our clients with innovative solutions and unparalleled service.