Metro PAR 1085

Scheduled for final completion in December of 2015, the $135.5 million Metro PAR 1085 project entails two phases; construction, demolition, and refurbishment of two buildings and 10 clarifiers – and one giant site.

At 800 ft. long x 400 ft. wide (or about the size of three football fields), the size of the site has required some unusual equipment. Three tower cranes dominate the landscape, helping crews cover “twice as much ground in half the time,” says Mechanical Project Manager Mike Cliff.

Such efficiency is critical, for not only does the project involve simultaneous work in several areas, it presents a tight schedule as WSCI strives to complete Phase One 180 days early and earn a substantial bonus. Construction Manager Doug Langfeldt is confident that they’ll make it. “Our project team is maximizing their core value skills, with ‘Can-do attitude’ and ‘Intensity’ being the norm rather than the exception.”

Phase One (underway and set for early completion on Feb. 12, 2014) includes construction of a new south secondary basin complex, refurbishment of five existing secondary clarifiers, and beginning to convert the existing basin into an RAS pump station. Phase 2 (completion date of October 17, 2015) will entail completion of the RAS pump station, as well as refurbishment of five additional clarifiers. The end result will be increased plant capacity to 182 MGD average (258 MGD peak).

In addition to size and schedule, the project is challenging because the existing plant must remain operational. To achieve this, the project has been carefully phased and the site divided in half. Cliff says the job involves “intricate tie-in procedures and tons of coordination.” Another challenge is that, because the project involves excavating more than 40 feet below the level of the Platte River, slurry walls and sheeting are required to control the extensive dewatering.Langfeldt praises the team for working efficiently while staying focused on safety. He also says they have some fun. “They are practicing ‘Extreme Housekeeping’ by taking site clean-up to the next level. Our traveling ‘Golden Broom’ award [a gold-painted broom] helps motivate crews because the winning crew also gets a steak dinner cooked by the PMs.”