LBNL Storm Drain Replacement 

LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY

Project Value: $3.2 Million

Background

LBNL is a multi-program scientific research campus operated by the University of California for the United States Department of Energy (DOE). It is located on a 202-acre parcel of land in Alameda County, California. LBNL’s project required the replacement and repair 3,700 feet of its Storm drain system as part of the infrastructure improvement program. 

LBNL was seeking a general contractor or civil contractor to provide site civil underground piping services for the legacy storm drain replacement and repair project. The project was a collaborative effort between the contractor, engineer of record (ETIC) and LBNL. The project consisted of replacing old storm drain piping or repairing existing piping by utilizing cure-in-place-lining (CIP) across the LBNL site. 

The schedule was fast-tracked to be able to minimize the impact on the overall campus traffic and laboratories and researchers. 

Scope

  • Traffic Controls 
  • Excavation 
  • Initial inspection and cleaning 
  • Furnish and install new storm drainpipe. 
  • Furnish and install cure-in-place-lining (CIP). 
  • Post repair inspection 
  • Service test new install line per Engineering DWG, Owner Spec and NFPA standard. 
  • Backfill and restore site. 
  • Stockpile material, transfer and dispose excess material. 

Project Highlights

  • Excavation utilizing hand-tools and vacuum truck. 
  • Stockpile and dispose excess material. 
  • Replace existing storm drain lines with PVC pipe. 
  • Repair existing piping system by utilizing cure-in-place-lining (CIP) across the LBNL site 
  • Replaced and repaired 3700 feet of drain system in various sizes (6” to 24”) 

Challenges & Solutions

  • COVID-19 Pandemic 
  • Working around live utilities such as 12kV duct bank, Gas line, Sanitary Sewer, and waterline. 
  • Lead time to procure Piping material due to the pandemic. 
  • Unforeseen obstructions, existing \ live utilities. 
  • Building and Laboratories schedule, access and vibration restrictions.
  • To solve these challenges, it was important to; pre-plan, communicate with the client, supplier and subcontractor, monitor the schedule and budget, and provide solutions to the client for any issues encountered. 

Project Success

The project was completed successfully with 25,014 man-hours worked without any injuries. The project was also completed ahead of schedule and within the allocated budget.