Pike and Rose

Underground Utilities-D.C.

This flawlessly executed project saw the installation of a sewer main for Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). Gaines and Company broke ground in February 2017 and completed the main on schedule in early November. Superintendent Mike Tarr describes how River Road crews installed two new manholes on the existing 36 inch sewer main then tied new ductile iron pipe between manhole 11 and manhole 12.

The biggest challenge was setting up a sewer bypass on the 36 inch line. This involved a ‘pump-around’ which meant setting up pumps on the opposite side of nearby Cabin John Stream. The pumps were turned on Monday and off Friday during which time manholes 11 and 12 were set and the pipe tied between them. The challenge arose when crews kept the pumps running 24 hours a day allowing them to utilize their time more efficiently. This shortened the amount of time the pumps had to be run, whittling down the entire process to one week.

The Pike & Rose project was finished with blacktop restoration, curb work and vegetation rehabilitation.