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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Our urban electric crews bring extensive experience and specialized skills to managing projects in densely populated and high-traffic areas. Our team excels in implementing effective and safe traffic management strategies, working collaboratively with local authorities to protect both the crew and the public during project execution. Our commitment to safety and efficiency is evident in every project we undertake, making us a trusted partner in urban infrastructure development.
Because of these capabilities and commitments, we were awarded the contract to replace nine utility poles as part of an extensive infrastructure replacement program. This initiative aimed to enhance the reliability and efficiency of the electrical distribution network.
Throughout the duration of this project, nine utility poles were replaced, along with five 13kV transformers and three additional transformers of varying specifications. Also, 1,500 feet of new 4/0 aluminum conductor was installed, and finally, the existing 1/0 aluminum conductor was replaced.
The new poles and transformers reduce the likelihood of outages and improve overall system reliability. Upgrading the conductor to 4/0 aluminum allowed for higher electrical loads, meeting the growing demand in the area.
In conclusion, our team’s dedication to safety, efficiency, and collaboration has ensured this project’s successful completion and significantly contributed to the enhancement of the local electrical infrastructure. We look forward to continuing our role as a reliable partner in future urban infrastructure projects.
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.
