Chiques Hill 72" Storm Water CMP Rehabilitation.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation identified a need to repair or replace an 80-foot deep corrugated plate pipe without disturbing the surrounding county parkland, waterway, or the current traffic pattern. The challenges identified included a 60-degree slope to access the ends of the pipe, heavy truck and car traffic, obstructed travel view of the work site, winter temperatures, and an extended 400 feet of spray hose. Additional challenges became apparent once work commenced with the 60 degree slope that extended for about 300 feet that would “tire-out” even the hardiest of billy goats and really worked the crew on a physical level. The creative crew built a pulley system to ferry tools and supplies up and down the slope. The bottom of the pipe needed concrete to fill in a void compromising most of the bottom of the pipe. The concrete pumping company had never pumped concrete down a 300 foot 60 degree slope. The Abel crew needed to hook and drag enough concrete pumping pipes to reach the bottom of the work site and to reach 320 feet to the far end of the pipe. The spraying took place around the clock for 10 days utilizing 2-12hour shifts and one spray truck. The Sprayroq plural system never stopped pumping. Abel pumped about 30,000 pounds of Spraywall though 400 feet of hose to accomplish the application. The crews connected 8 inch PVC piping down the slope and forced hot air through the pipe in order to help maintain hose temperature. . The endurance, perseverance, stubbornness and over all can do attitude resulted in a satisfied customer and no impact to the county park.
