Description
The 40th Street Bridge Relocation Project in Philadelphia involved difficult field-cast manhole construction and conduit work in tight quarters. Danella was hired to relocate the electric structure for the demolition and reconstruction of the 40th Street Bridge that crosses Amtrak. The job began in October 2009 and is scheduled to conclude in January 2011.
Project Details
- A 12-duct conduit structure connected to five manholes were spaced anywhere from 25 feet to 60 feet apart.
- The manholes created by Danella were field-cast manholes (poured and made onsite). This installation process is much more difficult than using pre-cast manholes, but is often more acceptable in areas where space is limited and specifications require custom construction.
Unique Challenges, Unique Experiences
The extreme winter and spring weather made managing the project difficult. The record snowfall in the winter of 2009-2010 and the unusually wet spring of 2010 “beat the heck out of us,” said Rich Neas, Vice President of Danella Construction Corp of PA. “It was very challenging. Between constantly trying to manage the job and manage the elements, we nearly shut down in February and we probably were down to two days a week in March. There is no doubt that it is always a challenge when working in that kind of weather.” Despite the setbacks caused by the weather, Danella’s work was on schedule and had not created any delays for other contractors.
Danella’s considerable experience with field-cast manhole construction helped the company secure the competitive bid job. “We are more proficient at building field-cast manholes [than our competitors],” said Neas. “We have guys who have been here for many, many years, and their experience in this area definitely benefits Danella.”