A trio of recent Caltrans projects depended on HydroTech and its innovation and cutting-edge technologies to upgrade utilities on Interstate 80.

Projects on I-80 near Donner Lake and in Placer County in Emigrant Gap used HDPE as a method of lining culverts.  Until 2003, HDPE Deformed/Reformed liners had never previously been manufactured or installed in sizes exceeding 18”.  HydroTech invented, engineered, designed and built mobile equipment to deform the HDPE liners in sizes up to 42”. HydroTech also pioneered the process for installing the larger deformed/reformed liners.

The process originated by HydroTech has been so successful that it is now commonly specified for culvert rehabilitation projects throughout the United States, especially in environmentally critical habitat areas.  These methods and liner types have revolutionized CIPP culvert lining by cutting the costs substantially, greatly reduced the amount of fuel/energy required to install the liners, and has reduced the potential environmental harm from the older methodologies.

Donner Lake and another I-80 project bordering Sacramento and Placer counties also used cured-in-place pipeliner (CIPP) as a utility rehabilitation method.

Working adjacent to an extremely busy throughfare such as Interstate 80 demands that safety be one of HydroTech’s top concerns.  In HydroTech’s efforts to vigorously mitigate safety exposure, a detailed safety plan was designed to specifically address known and potential hazards on the jobsite.  Methods of safely working with each project hazard were addressed. All three projects were completed with no safety issues, as HydroTech continues to be an industry leader in safety and quality control management.

HydroTech was awarded a contract from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to clean, video inspect, design, and install cured-in-place pipeliner (CIPP) TO 551 lf of 8” sewer line and rebuild 3 lateral connections.  This project included utility upgrades, demolition, and concrete work. The work was performed from within the Las Vegas Convention Center, which meant that there was a defined time frame for this project as not to interfere with scheduled events at the center.

After the initial video inspection was completed, there were several issues noted that changed the scope and required a slight extension of the time frame of the project.  The replacement of a transition from a lateral to a drain line would not be able to be performed because it could not be accessed from its location under a ramp.  Due to a severe amount of blockage, two clean-outs needed to be performed at the north end of the line.   In addition, the project engineer requested that a cleaning and video inspection of an additional line be added to the scope of work.  A change order was agreed to that extended the time frame and allowed the additional work to commence.

The change of conditions discovered after the initial inspection, and working inside a convention center that required a special schedule to avoid interruption of services, were primary factors that HydroTech faced in successfully completing this project.   Thanks to the excellent communication between HydroTech and Todd Messett, Las Vegas CVA’S Construction Manager for this project, these issues were mutually resolved through change orders that reflected the scope of work changes and extended the time frame.

HydroTech is proud to be a member of the Women Construction Owners and Executives, USA (WCOE).  Our company President, Debra Brazell, attended the WCOE annual conference in Washington D.C.  This conference affords unsurpassed networking and educational opportunities, including the opportunity to meet with elected officials.

A hot topic of conversation this year was the new Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) set aside for federal projects.  The Small Business Administration (SBA) rules establishing WSBO officially went in effect on February 4, 2011.  The new opportunities to bring women-led construction firms to the forefront of the federal contracting arena is creating buzz throughout the members of WCOE, and it will assist its members on how to capitalize on the future of this promising boost for women-owned construction firms.

Another important discussion issue related to bonding issues related to the net worth cap levels of owners and stockholders of minority-owned companies.  The lower cap levels are a hindrance to minority companies in obtaining increased bonding limits.    By increasing net worth cap levels required for qualification for minority certifications, small and woman-owned businesses like HydroTech will be able to increase their bonding levels and be more competitive for larger-scale projects set aside for 8(a)s, HUBZone, Small and Women-Owned construction companies.

To learn more about WCOE, its vast benefits and how to join, visit their website at http://www.wcoeusa.org

Wawona Road runs through Yosemite National Park, and is the park’s east-west connector route. Yosemite National Park was established in 1890 and is considered one of the nation’s most beautiful and most visited national parks. Granite Construction was awarded an $18.5 million contract to perform rehabilitation of a majority of Wawona Road. HydroTech was subcontracted perform highway drainage upgrades, including cleaning, inspecting, and design-build of cured-in-place pipeliners (CIPP) to rehabilitate over 1,015 lf of culverts.

There was a specific time frame for the completion of this project due to the adverse weather conditions that are prevalent in the winter and spring months. Successful and timely completion depended on communication between all contractors to move and coordinate equipment and manpower on and off site. Later in the project, the FHWA approved an expanded work schedule including Friday and Saturday nights to assure that completion could occur in a timely manner.

Preservation and lack of disruption to the natural habitat which surrounds the road was also taken into careful consideration, and measures were implemented to ensure protection of historic structures and rare plants previously identified along Wawona Road such as Fresno mat, Yosemite tarweed, and tanbard oak.

Curtis Short, Granite Construction Project Manager, evaluated HydroTech’s performance as “Exceptional” in all categories, including management, quality control, meeting project schedules, and overall performance. Mr. Short also stated, “I was extremely pleased with HydroTech’s professionalism and performance. Your field guys were great to work with.”