Trench is Pickin' Up Good Vibrations 

Vibration Reduction Method at Harvard U is a Huge Success! 

Editor: Allison Braswell 

Harvard University in Cambridge, MA 

Allied Pile Driving is conducting a supportive excavation for a new laboratory building on campus that will provide more space for students to engage in world-class scientific research. They are creating a temporary earth retaining system by using two ICE® 44 Variable Moment Vibratory Hammers from International Construction Equipment, Inc (ICE®) to drive thousands of AZ-36-700 sheet piles of 45' (ft) lengths. 

According to the contractor, one of the biggest challenges of this job is that the construction is taking place extremely close to a 200-foot-cubed cooling building. Below the campus sidewalks lies a network of pipes that deliver cooling from this structure to all other Harvard campus buildings, including dorm rooms. Vibrations from driving pile might disturb the underground pipes and potentially alter the cool air flow that not only gives comfort to the students, faculty, and staff during the height of summer, but also helps preserve the ancient artifacts displayed at Harvard's museums and galleries. After some discussion with their ICE® Service representative, the Allied Pile Driving team came up with a creative solution for minimizing the effects of the vibrations: Digging a trench. 

With the use of a simple trencher and guidance from a long-time foundations expert of the ICE® Northeast sales team, the crew dug a trench at a 24" (in) width and 18" depth between the pile driving site of the retaining wall and the road. By doing this, they saw an 80% reduction in vibrations on the other side of the trench and were able to avoid any disturbance to the cooling system. 

Spectacular job, Allied Pile Driving! ICE® is proud to have collaborated on this successful mitigation of vibrations while working toward enhancing Harvard education, allowing the next generation of workers to make groundbreaking contributions in their fields. 

Learn more about the ICE® 44VM. 

Media Contact-    
Pollyanna Cunningham, MA, MBA    
Vice President Marketing, Brand and Media Relations  

Vice President IT and IT Comm 
ICE® - International Construction Equipment, Inc    
Office - 704-821-8200    
Email - marketing@iceusa.com 

ICE®'s IP-3 Working on a Postage Stamp 
"Hydro with Pants"

Editor: Debbie Reaney 

The City of Keene, NH is responsible for maintaining 42 bridges in the area, including 33 vehicular bridges and 9 bicycle/pedestrian bridges. These bridges provide critical transportation links throughout the city and are important thoroughfares for many area residents. Ranging in age from new to 100-years-old, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) inspects these bridges on a bi-annual basis. However, during inspection in 2020, the Island Street Bridge was so degraded they needed to build a new one. Interestingly, Island Street's bridge was intended to be a temporary fix after the original bridge, an iron truss bridge with wooden floor that was originally built in 1877, collapsed. While the city councilors and residents debated what to do, a "Bailey Bridge" was installed in 1979. Named for Sir Donald Bailey, of Britain's Royal Engineers, Baily Bridges were designed during World War II to be built quickly, as Allied armies moved forward, yet still be strong enough to hold the weight of tanks and heavy equipment. The bridges were so strong, many were left in place for years until permanent bridges could be built. Until recently Keene's bridge was the oldest still-used Bailey bridge in New Hampshire, and one of the oldest continually used Baileys in the world. No one expected it to last for over 30 years and its most recent update was the replacement of the bridge deck in 2004. 

This project presented a myriad of challenges, including the extremely tight space they had to work in. Chosen for their expertise, subcontractor for BUR Construction, ED Swett Inc. has led the way in bridge building for the New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Vermont regions since 1936. Early in July 2023 the ED Swett team carefully began disassembling the bridge components spanning Ashuelot River including driving the H-pile for a temporary bridge bent so they could begin reconstruction. In August, the subcontractor removed the remaining trusses and load-bearing metal structures. The Island Street/"Baily Bridge" has now been dismantled and the City of Keene hopes to re-purpose the main truss components to provide trail connections over a road instead of an at grade crossing with steep-sloped approaches as part of the upcoming Winchester Street Reconstruction Project. 

The ED Swett crew initially used their own vibratory hammer to the install 50' (ft) long sheets required for the retaining wall, however the house that sits only 5 ½' (ft) from the work zone began to shake and it was determined that a gentler touch was required. Due to the limited space for crane use, a "hydro in pants" was suggested for better control. After a quick call to their International Construction Equipment (ICE®) Sales and Service team was made, an ICE® IP-3 was brought in. The lightweight package of this hammer was easily handled by the available crane which was limited by overhead power lines, the nearby river and multiple historic structures making this tough task look easy.  

The ICE® IP-3 Hydraulic hammer, with the sheeting pants attachment, allowed ED Swett to quickly place the sheeting wall without the need for a lead set-up. Once the sheeting wall was installed, the team went to work on excavation of the site. Upon complete removal, ED Swett went to work driving 95' (Ft) long 12x84 H-piles to bedrock utilizing their previously purchased ICE® I-19V2 Diesel Impact Hammer to strengthen the new abutments being placed. Following completion of this deep foundation, the crew will then restore the area to grade and pull any necessary sheets back out with a vibratory hammer.  

In-line with the City's Complete Streets Policy, the project will address the needs of all users of the corridor including vehicular traffic, bicyclists, and pedestrians. As of October 2023, the Island Street Bridge is on track to complete reconstruction by the end of December. Excellent work by the ED Swett, Inc. Team! Their commitment to professionalism and safety is thoroughly appreciated by the City of Keene and the surrounding areas. International Construction Equipment, Inc. looks forward to the opportunity to provide the quality equipment required to complete future projects and thanks ED Swett for their continued trust. 

Learn more about the ICE® IP-3 and the ICE® I-19V2 

Media Contact-    
Pollyanna Cunningham, MA, MBA    
Vice President Marketing, Brand and Media Relations 

Vice President IT and IT Comm 
ICE® - International Construction Equipment, Inc    
Office - 704-821-8200    
Email - marketing@iceusa.com 

McLean Returns to Churchland Bridge ~ 50 Years Later 

Editor: Debbie Reaney 

The Churchland Bridge in Portsmouth, VA is a critical throughfare for residents, connecting two sections of the city. It also serves as one of three crossings of the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River and as a route for trucks delivering goods to and from South Hampton Roads. The original bridge was built by VDOT over 50 years ago before the annexation of Norfolk County with the City of Portsmouth and still carries the Commonwealth seal on it. As is the case with most aging infrastructure, the multiple span, multiple-unit structural steel bridge with a suspended (pin-and-hanger type) span over the navigation channel was recently determined to have reached its useful life and considered structurally deficient. The primary justification for this project is the safety of the traveling public. 

Part of a six-year plan, The City of Portsmouth hired McLean Construction to design, demolish and replace the northbound Churchland Bridge over the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River. Founded in 1903 in Maryland, McLean Contracting Company has continuously demonstrated steady adaptation, improvement, and growth performing a range of land and marine based heavy construction, including building the original south-bound portion of Churchland Bridge in 1970. The older north-bound bridge was recently demolished and removed, and a new 1,989-foot-long structure (about twice the height of the Empire State Building) featuring a concrete pile and girder design is being constructed in its place. Improvements to the existing southbound structure will also be completed, however this portion of the bridge itself will remain in place. When complete, the new bridge will maintain the existing navigational channel width and height.  

Working in low head room for portions of this build has proven to be a slight challenge while driving and splicing steel H beams under the Churchland Bridge. Fortunately, International Construction Equipment, Inc was able to supply the McLean crew with an ICE® 12E Sheeting Clamp and a CAT 336 Excavator rentals from their fleet, helping to make this difficult driving a much easier process. "These guys have worked hard, splicing each pile three times. This project calls for a quick splice channel where the two beams are sleeved together and minimizes the required welding needed. Saves some time because you don't need to bevel and prep quite as much," stated the experts at McLean. Amazing work, McLean! Your commitment to providing extraordinary infrastructure solutions is genuinely appreciated by the City of Portsmouth and their surrounding areas. 

Learn more about the ICE® 12E. 

Media Contact-    
Pollyanna Cunningham, MA, MBA    
Vice President Marketing, Brand and Media Relations  

Vice President IT and IT Comm 
ICE® - International Construction Equipment, Inc    
Office - 704-821-8200    
Email - marketing@iceusa.com   

The Path to Four Lakes Revival 

ICE® ZR Hammer Driving Hope Following Dam Failures 

Editor: Debbie Reaney 

Several lakes in mid-Michigan vanished after four dams on the Tittabawassee River faced catastrophic failures in May 2020. During severe flooding, the nearly 100-year-old Edenville Dam breached, causing floodwaters to quickly overflow the river. Other dams of four manufactured lakes connected to the river, including the Sanford Dam (the most downstream dam), buckled under the barrage of water. The dams were originally built for water level control for hydroelectric power generation. Secord Lake, Sanford Lake, Smallwood Lake, and Wixom Lake were completely washed out, and all that was left in their places was a plethora of debris including hundreds of ravaged boats and boat lifts. The Village of Sanford alone lost 25% of its housing to the flooding. 

Since then, Four Lakes Task Force, a nonprofit of career scientists, engineers, and volunteers in Gladwin and Midland counties, has been overseeing the restoration project for the series of failed dams. So far, Fisher Contracting has built a berm across the breach channel and thousands of debris points were removed, allowing the Tittabawassee River to flow once again. The work done as part of this stabilization project will be utilized during the restoration project which is forthcoming in the following years. Like the Edenville Dam Phase I Sister Wall and Phase II Tittabawassee stabilization projects, GEI Consultants is the engineer of Record, Spicer Group is acting as the Owner's Engineer and Fisher Contracting Company is performing the construction work. According to the board, the rebuilding and refilling process is two-thirds of the way complete, and all aspects of the project are staying on schedule. With the Secord and Smallwood dams expected to be fully restored by 2024 and the Sanford and Wixom dams by 2025, the lakes will make their return as lake residents continue to recover from the fateful events years ago. 

Fisher Contracting, a local professional heavy/highway civil contractor out since 1957, has been awarded multiple portions of this project, including the current construction of watertight enclosures for the dewatering processes on the job. In June 2023, for the first dam at Secord Lake, an ICE® 22VM Zero-Resonance Hammer was used to drive 50' (ft) steel sheet piles for a cofferdam downstream of the powerhouse in preparation for the low-level outlet work. This stabilization project aims at restoring the Sanford Dam, consisting of the spillway and embankment, to a stable condition and rerouting the river back to its original pre-flood course. In addition, this project will reduce further erosion of the banks near the spillway and prevent continued deterioration of the site. The Fisher crew said the ICE® 22VM did a spectacular job of installing the piles with minimal impact to the existing dam structures due to its light eccentric weights and high horsepower. Fisher Contracting is maintaining strong safety standards at Secord, Smallwood, and Edenville, while actively planning for the upcoming Sanford Dam project. Each site brings forth its unique set of challenges, ranging from allocating space for equipment and material staging to the distinct nature of work to be executed. 

A cofferdam for the same purpose was also completed at the Smallwood Lake dam restoration site simultaneously. The auxiliary spillway has taken form with the new sheet piles, and underwater divers have been assisting the pile drivers with ensuring a water-tight fit. For the second phase of this project at the Sanford Dam, Fisher will be utilizing two more 22VMs to drive sheets, which will then be driven to grade with an ICE® IP7 Hydraulic Impact Hammer.  

As of October 2023, the Sanford community has added eight new or rebuilt houses, new businesses, an electric vehicle charging station, and a pump track project. International Construction Equipment, Inc thanks Fisher Contracting for the opportunity to support the four affected lake communities in their imminent comeback. Congratulations to you and your team on the safe completion of the first phase of this monumental project.  

Learn more about the ICE® 22VM and ICE® IP7. 

Media Contact-    
Pollyanna Cunningham, MA, MBA    
Vice President Marketing, Brand and Media Relations  

Vice President IT and IT Comm 
ICE® - International Construction Equipment, Inc    
Office - 704-821-8200    
Email - marketing@iceusa.com   

The hilly topography and infamous, historic cobblestone streets of Seattle, WA have caused great distress for drivers for as long as cars have been in the city. Half of the 100 cobblestone streets still in use, some dating back 120 years, are historically preserved and thus narrow down options for transportation. Even if the remaining 50 were paved, the steepness of roads throughout the region as well as the lumpy asphalt and potholes brought upon by ongoing construction continue to slow down traffic and endanger those with ambulatory disabilities. With this in mind, the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit) is addressing the need for more convenient and accessible travel options. 

By 2024, the Lynnwood Light Rail will have four new light rail stops between Northgate and Lynnwood, WA. Two stops are being built in Shoreline, WA near 145th Street and 185th Street parallel to Interstate 5. Mountlake Terrace will host the next stop, and the last stop to be at Lynnwood City Center. The 8.5-mile extension is expected to get riders from Lynnwood to Downtown Seattle in 28 minutes, Shoreline to Downtown Seattle in less than 20 minutes, and to many other popular destinations in the Seattle region faster and more frequently. Other additions include a new facility for vehicle operation, maintenance, and storage as well as thirty-four 95-foot-long articulated light rail vehicles that will enhance mobility options in this dense corridor. 

At the edge of the Shoreline South/145th station closest to residential areas, Pearson Drilling is installing a sound abatement wall that will help reduce railway noise in those neighborhoods. The Pearson crew used a Comacchio CH 150 Drill Rig and an ICE® 7E Excavator-Mounted Vibratory Hammer for a low-headroom pile application. The CH 150 drilled a 30" (in) shaft to an 18' (ft) depth, followed by the ICE® 7E which drove the permanent caissons to grade. It is becoming increasingly common to find jobsites that cannot accommodate standard piling machines due to tight workspaces. The cabin and controls of the CH 150 were designed with space efficiency in mind, enabling it to perform a wide range of tasks in any sized area. Being able to swiftly maneuver the drill rig within a small space saves time and production costs for the contractor, and the crew can more safely move about on the job site. 

The professionals at Pearson know that confined workspaces present a higher risk of accident or injury, so taking proactive measures like planning rescue procedures and investing in proper equipment is crucial before entering the work zone. Brillant work, Pearson Drilling! Safety is a top priority for all customers, and the equipment experts at International Construction Equipment, Inc. are here to help. ICE® is thrilled to be able to provide deep foundations solutions to contractors, like Pearson, that best fit their assignment; helping to keep their crew safe and propelling them towards project success.  

Learn more about Comacchio's line of large diameter drill rigs and the ICE® 7E. 

Media Contact-    
Pollyanna Cunningham, MA, MBA    
Vice President Marketing, Brand and Media Relations  

Vice President IT and IT Comm 
ICE® - International Construction Equipment, Inc    
Office - 704-821-8200    
Email - marketing@iceusa.com   

Predrilling For Pedestrian Safety 

Editor: Debbie Reaney 

The once small south Florida town of Miramar, Florida, is growing faster than 91% of similarly sized cities since 2000. It is currently the 209th largest city in the US and has grown 81.1% since 2000. Due to this fast-paced growth, Florida DOT (FDOT) is orchestrating a complete makeover of the roadways to strengthen the area's infrastructure. Twenty separate projects, involving the construction of additional lanes on the Turnpike, new buffered bike lanes, sidewalks, light poles, and more, are taking place between 2022 and 2027. As the city continues to welcome new residents and developments, these traffic safety enhancements will create safer pedestrian access to recreational grounds like local parks and Hard Rock Stadium (home to the Miami Dolphins), a refreshed roadway network, and overall better urban life in Miramar. 

Family-owned, Miami based company, Magnum Construction Management (MCM) is managing a project that will improve mobility along University Drive between the North and South city limits. They are building a new pedestrian overpass bridge near the intersection of Miramar Boulevard, over a canal controlled by the local drainage district. A panel wall is also being constructed using the same pile type as the bridge--18" (in) sq. concrete pile of 40' (ft) length. 

To prepare for the pile driving process, the crew installed a template for propping up the piles using an ICE® 28 Vibratory Driver/Extractor equipped with an ICE® 140C Sheeting Clamp. Next, an ICE® EX-25 Hydraulic Rotary Head was used in conjunction with 24" (in) flighting mounted in 26" (in) swinging leads to predrill the installation holes. ICE®'s lightweight and affordable swinging leads were key in keeping the crane in line with the pile driving sites and driving at a vertical angle while avoiding contact with the canal. The pile for the bridge and panel wall was installed by an ICE® I-12 Diesel Impact Hammer with a 24" (in) drive cap, which protects both the hammer and pile from damage by absorbing driving stress during hammer blows. 

As a locally- and family-owned business, MCM is serving Miramar not only as a contractor but also as a dedicated member of their own community. They were pleased with the product selection at International Construction Equipment, Inc and appreciated the helpful guidance from ICE® sales professionals throughout their customer experience. Excellent job to MCM for their hard work that upholds the City of Miramar's motto--to bring "Beauty and Progress" to the area where residents will now more safely work, play, and prosper.  

Learn more about the ICE® 28, ICE® EX-25, ICE® I-12V2, ICE® 140C Sheeting Clamp, ICE® Swinging Leads, and ICE® Drive Caps. 

Media Contact-    
Pollyanna Cunningham, MA, MBA    
Vice President Marketing, Brand and Media Relations  

Vice President IT and IT Comm 
ICE® - International Construction Equipment, Inc  

ICE® 44B "Born to Run" Down NJ Highway 

Editor: Allison Braswell 

Work continues on New Jersey Turnpike Authority's (NJTA) $24 billion capital improvement project (CIP) to increase safety and relieve congestion on New Jersey's major toll roads through the widening of lanes, shoulders, and entrances. First announced in 2020, the NJTA CIP calls for 14 expansion projects to be undertaken on the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, collectively widening about 100 miles of roadway. 

One of the contractors selected to work on this monumental project, J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, is currently making improvements to various segments of the Garden State Parkway; including Route 9 and Route 287. US 9 and US 287 trace the Garden State Parkway and pass many businesses vital to the region's economic growth as well as residential developments that house their employees. Their work will help relieve traffic congestion on both roads and create extra room for emergency vehicles to pass during heavier drive-times. For this portion of the project the J.F. Creamer crew employed an ICE® 44B Vibratory Driver/Extractor plus their own ICE® 55 Dampener to drive 45' (ft) sheet piles. The ICE® 44B's built-in vibration suppressor with superior dampening abilities was further enhanced by the ICE® 55 Dampener's system of elastomers, which are rubber-like polymers that stretch and retract similarly to the inner workings of the hammer's suppressor housing to reduce vibration to the crane. 

The ICE® 44B has proven its success previously on this CIP, as International Construction Equipment, Inc has provided this same hammer to another segment of this project that took place previously on Route 46, Passaic Bridge, and River Drive. Congratulations J. Fletcher and team on a job well done! The residents and visitors to the Garden State are thrilled with the progress made on this massive project that is sure to boost mobility for generations to come. 

Learn more about the ICE® 44 and ICE® dampening solutions. 

Media Contact-    
Pollyanna Cunningham, MA, MBA    
Vice President Marketing, Brand and Media Relations  

Vice President IT and IT Comm 
ICE® - International Construction Equipment, Inc    
Office - 704-821-8200    
Email - marketing@iceusa.com