1800 N. Sewer Realignment Phase 2 sewer trunk
Salt Lake City
BEST PROJECT
Presented by Whitaker Construction
owner Salt Lake City Public Services
Leading design company Water works engineers
General Contractor Whitaker Construction
The main objective of this project was to efficiently transport wastewater to the treatment plant, which entailed the installation of a large new sewer connection structure in addition to rehabilitating an existing structure.
Since the connecting structure was located directly under the live power lines, it would have required an expensive and complex bypass system in order to take a more traditional cast-in-place approach. Instead, the contractor suggested launching the giant structure onto the ground and then carefully lowering it into place with two cranes, which eliminated the need for a bypass system.
This solution not only saved the city money but also reduced disruption to the environment. In addition, the high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials used for this structure will ensure long-term system performance, reduce maintenance and minimize the risk of odors or leaks.
Photo courtesy of Whitaker Construction
But launching a nearly 700,000-pound structure above the ground and lowering it into place required a concerted team effort to ensure everyone’s safety without damaging the concrete structure during the lift. The rehabilitation of the existing structure also required careful monitoring to ensure it could remain operational while the upgrade took place. Due to the age of some of the existing brick infrastructure, crews had to use extreme caution when running bypass systems.
Photo courtesy of Whitaker Construction
Because trench and excavation safety was a primary concern throughout the project, the team implemented proper shoring systems and followed strict confined space entry protocols.
Clean and organized work areas reduced risks and also promoted efficiency. Workplace-specific protocols were strictly followed, while daily safety meetings and equipment inspections were also conducted. In the end, the team logged 26,378 hours of work with no lost time or recordable incidents.
Photo courtesy of Whitaker Construction
On the ground, crews placed nearly 2,000 feet of 54-in. Fiberglass-reinforced pipe through Salt Lake City’s active Rosewood Park, along with nearly 2,100 feet of 42-in. pipe They also restored areas affected by the excavation by performing extensive earthworks, reseeding and road improvements, and installing six new pickleball and one tennis courts based on community feedback. These improvements provide safe and modern recreation spaces for families and visitors.
During construction, the project team ensured that community members could still use the park safely and paid attention to driveway and parking processes at the neighboring school so as not to disrupt activities and the safe movement of parents, children and school staff.
