New Fenders to Fuel the World
Chevron Oil Refinery Marine Fenders
Editor: Allison Braswell 

Cargo ships can take up to ten hours to dock because of their vast size. With all the tedious maneuvering it takes to position the vessel in the berth, what keeps these marine giants from crashing into the dock? Collisions between ships and platforms or other installations in offshore oil and gas fields can have catastrophic effects, and as such is a cause of growing concern. That is why it is critical to use fender piles to protect your project and structures. 

Marine fender systems, or dolphins, are commonly stationed at sides of ports, harbors, and quay walls. They consist of rows of closely-spaced fender piles and rubber fender units that protect vessels and shoreline structures from considerable damage by absorbing collision energy when ships dock against the wall. While these setups are exceptionally reliable for efficient berthing, looking out for signs of wear and tear is a part of general upkeep. If the fender steel frame and support chains are corroded or the rubber unit is cracked, then the fender likely needs repair or replacement--which is the case at one of the top ten largest oil refineries in the U.S. (United States) located in Pascagoula, MS. 

As the only refinery on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Chevron Pascagoula Oil Refinery is equipped with four marine terminals and eight berths where cargo of crude oil is discharged through pipelines to its 300+ storage tanks. It is in continuous operation (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) to produce essential transportation fuels such as motor petrol, diesel fuel, and LPG. To maintain productivity of docking and unloading their 800-foot-long oil tankers, the facility hired local contractor, Walters Diving & Marine, Inc, to reconstruct the fenders that were showing signs of age. After evaluating the weight of the pile, the Walters crew determined that the ICE® 200C Vibratory Driver would be ideal for the job. The 675-ton driving force of this mighty hammer made easy work of driving steel pipe pile 72" (in) in diameter and 110' (ft) in length. Due to its high strength and feasibility, and that they are more corrosion resistant in marine applications, steel piles are advantageous when driving in difficult seafloor conditions compared to timber or concrete.  

International Construction Equipment, Inc appreciates Walters Diving & Marine for the opportunity to help a leading energy provider continue to develop reliable, clean energy that enables human progress here in the United Sates and around the globe. 

Learn more about the ICE® 200C. 

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   

Environmental Effects of Ancient Timber Pile
Editor: Allison Braswell 

J.B. Coxwell Contracting, Inc is constructing a Four Seasons hotel across from Gator Bowl Stadium in Jacksonville, FL. The project involves drilling concrete pile for its foundation, but something beneath the surface is causing an obstruction -- 100-year-old timber pile originally installed for a shipyard in the 1920s. 

At one point in history, timber pile was the preferred construction material because of its low cost and high availability. To prevent decay, the piles are treated with coal tar creosote, which is a mixture of hundreds of chemicals including poly-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phenol. Over time, humans that encounter these chemicals; even in insignificant amounts; may experience skin irritations, stomach pains, and liver or kidney problems. Long-term exposure is linked to skin cancer according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

People do not have to work in wood preserving facilities to be exposed to creosote. The chemical can leach from the timber structures into surrounding soil and groundwater, tainting drinking water and the marine food chain from which Jacksonville's tourists enjoy Mayport shrimp with a side of hush-puppies. The best way to limit the potential impact of contaminated piles on the environment is to completely remove the old timber piles and, if building a new foundation in its place, use piles with inert properties such as concrete or steel to help protect the community and the environment. 

To aid in the project, the contractor looked to the deep foundation experts at International Construction Equipment, Inc (ICE®), who recommended the ICE® 28C Vibratory Extractor to remove the 35-40' (ft) timber piles. The Coxwell team was extremely impressed with the performance of the ICE® 28C and noticed a significant improvement in their production time compared to a competitor's vibratory hammer that they used previously. ICE® applauds the efforts of J.B. Coxwell to improve water quality and public health in northeastern Florida, as well as giving us the opportunity to show them what our equipment can do! Future hotel guests and those in the surrounding area can now rest assured that harmful contaminants in their groundwater will be of their least concern during their stay. 

Learn more about the ICE® 28C. 

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   

McClugage Bridge (Diverting Waters at Illinois River) EXPANDED 

Debbie Reaney & Jeff Riggs 

McClugage Bridge, in the Peoria, IL area, has been carrying over 20,000 daily commuters on the US 150 throughfare over the Illinois River for nearly 75 years. The landmark bridge, named after David H. McClugage; mayor of Peoria from 1937 to 1941, was built in 1948 just after World War II. It is being upgraded with a new, modern design that will improve safety, regional mobility, and quality of life, while positioning the area for long-term economic opportunity.  

This $167 million project, which has remained mostly on budget, was funded by the Governor's historic bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan. It is one of the state's largest infrastructure projects. Rebuild Illinois is not only the largest capital program in state history creating jobs and promoting economic growth, but it is also the first to touch all modes of Illinois transportation: roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. ("Gov. Pritzker announces $94 million from Rebuild Illinois to revitalize ...") The renovation of the existing structure was not an easy task and the first step of this project required that the eastbound McClugage Bridge be removed and replaced with a new structure to meet the region's transportation needs. The goal for the new bridge is to have vehicles back on the eastbound span by spring 2024 with the old bridge demolition planned for late 2024, early 2025. 

Extreme weather, decades of high-volume vehicle use, and massive amounts of salt used in snow removal over the years have caused the bridge to deteriorate, creating an urgency to commence some long-awaited improvements. Reconstruction of the eastbound span of the bridge began in 2019, requiring over 121,000 cubic yards of earth excavation and the building of a temporary bridge before incorporating a tied-arch design. Eventually, it will include a third lane to better accommodate current volumes and anticipated growth in the region. Improved ramps at Illinois 29 and 116 will also be built to eliminate frequent stopping and facilitate smoother traffic flow, but like every successful building project, securing support for the bridge and all its features starts with a sturdy foundation.  

IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) awarded Johnson Brothers Corporation/American Bridge Company of Coraopolis, PA with the opportunity to create a dry workspace for building the piers that will support the structure's 40 million pounds (about 18,143,680 kg) of steel. The contractor was selected for this mega project due to their proven technical expertise and years of deep foundation experience which has proven to be unbelievably valuable for this high-profile renovation. In the past year, crews have worked through the snow, sun and storms and are currently nearing completion of 22 new piers each measuring 11' (ft) thick and rising 30' to 40'(ft) in the air. Their completion will deliver the bedrock for the next phase of construction: the arch. As of IDOT's last update in February 2023, just a short distance south of the new bridge site are green pilings that will support a temporary trestle used to build the structure's centerpiece. The designing of this cofferdam, a vital role in construction engineering, will facilitate pier construction and increase efficiency on the project. Cofferdams are a much safer option for controlling water flow compared to other methods like using divers when underwater construction is needed. Due to the size and scope of this project, cellular cofferdams are also being utilized.  

To accomplish this massive undertaking over the past four years on this project, Johnson Brothers/American Bridge has utilized a variety of multi-faceted ICE® (International Construction Equipment, Inc.) equipment with many different driving capabilities, multiple distinct levels of force, and special customization which is something ICE® prides itself on providing. This job has used an ICE® Model 50C Vibratory Driver and Extractor, (2) ICE® Model 50B Vibratory Driver and Extractors, ICE® Model 44 Vibratory Driver and Extractor, ICE® Model I-46 Diesel hammer, and an ICE® I-80 Diesel hammer. The 50C Vibratory Hammer/Extractor is being used to drive vertical and battered pipe pile measuring 32" (in) diameter and 50' (ft) in length into the river for a temporary bridge and the ICE® I-80 Diesel Impact Hammer is being used to proof off the 32" pipe, driving them to bedrock. To help maintain a dry working environment for the crew, two additional 50 B's and a 44 vibratory hammer are being utilized to drive the sheet piling to create multiple temporary cofferdams to form a watertight enclosure around the worksite. The I-46 diesel hammer is being used to drive the bearing piles within the cofferdam. Any water inside the enclosure is removed with bypass pumps utilizing their own previously purchased ICE® Power Unit with its adjustable flow control system that was further customized for them by the ICE® Service team. Thus, enabling the use of a custom clean-out solution to excavate the oversized cofferdams. 

Johnson Brothers/American Bridge's phenomenal team finished construction on ten new McClugage bridge piers in 2022, moving the project to within three new piers of the 22 required to support the deck. This past winter, workers have continued to press through to complete those structures, overcoming the elements and building momentum as the project moves closer to the finish line. As these 22 new piers near completion and the 650-foot-long arch is under construction, the new eastbound McClugage Bridge has started taking shape, and the goal is within view.  

Within the next few months, the bridge substructure will be completed while workers simultaneously construct a signature 650' (ft) tied arch span over the navigational channel that will sit atop the new bridge. Once the foundation is complete, this massive arch will then be hoisted onto the bridge with cranes and will sit 130' (ft) above deck. When it is placed on top of the structure, it will be an astounding 780' (ft) tall. That is an impressive 35' (ft) taller than the Golden Gate Bridge and will certainly distinguish the McClugage Bridge as an engineering marvel for many generations to come.  

This amazing feat of precise engineering will certainly be the crowning jewel distinguishing the bridge along the waterway. In fact, construction of the arch is occurring just 300 yards (less than a quarter of a mile) south of the new bridge site and can be identified by the green piling on the Illinois River. The new eastbound McClugage Bridge is expected to open in 2024 featuring wider shoulders for vehicle breakdowns and first responders as well as a 14' (ft) wide path for hikers and bicyclists featuring a river overlook and trailhead entrances added on both sides of the bridge. After all the significant construction progress made in 2022, the new eastbound McClugage Bridge is gradually moving toward the finish line. Once this portion of the project is finalized, an additional year will be dedicated to updating the bridge's area over Adams Street and removing the old structure. The Commuters in Peoria will be thrilled with Johnson Brothers/American Bridge Company to see improved safety, higher capacity, roadway improvements at ramps and intersections, and a reduction in travel times upon the project's completion, not to mention the added benefits of bike and pedestrian accommodations along with a spectacular view of the Illinois River.  This is a project everyone should travel to see. 

Reinforcing Lake Road
Lake Erie Slide Repair
Editor: Allison Braswell 

Bordering Lake Erie is State Route 531 (SR 531) in Ashtabula, OH--both a scenic circuit with stunning views of this Great Lake and a regional transportation link that is vital to the region's community and robust tourism industry that brings in $295 million annually. The rivalry between this route and Lake Erie, however, has raised safety concerns. Over the past decade, the lake has slowly crept its way up the hill side near SR 531. This led to a slowly crumbling foundation that threatened the structural integrity of the road, endangering locals, tourists and holiday travelers. In December 2022, ODOT announced an emergency closure on SR 531 to address this serious erosion issue. 

A.P. O'Horo Company was awarded the contract to get SR 531 back on course. To aid in the construction, O'Horo rented an ICE® 33 Vibratory Driver to drive about 150 feet of PZC26 x 45' (ft) cantilevered sheet pile in the affected area to restore proper roadway alignment and reduce the curve around the scarp. The retaining wall will save the pavement from meeting with the slope and most importantly protect the traveling public who use the roadway. 

This sheet piling is a short-term solution that allowed SR 531 to be reopened and resume traffic shortly after the New Year (2023). ODOT says the design of the long-term solution to erosion in the area is still in the early phases and they hope to put it into effect in the next two years. Many thanks to A.P. O'Horo for looking to International Construction Equipment, Inc to provide the best vibratory hammer for this job. With nearly 50 years of providing dependable deep foundations equipment, the ICE® team is always available to consult with you when choosing the proper solutions for each project. 

Learn more about the ICE® 33. 

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   

Casco Bay (Lobsters) EXPANDED 

Debbie Reaney & Rick Sadler 

In the Fall of 2016 Maine was in the grips of a drought when a 4-inch storm delivered some temporary but much-needed relief to Portland's streams, wells, and reservoirs. 

Sadly, the storm effects delivered an unhealthy mixture of raw sewage, debris, and polluted runoff to Casco Bay in the form of nearly 69 million gallons (about 261,193,290 L) of stormwater. This nasty mixture flowed into Back Cove, Portland Harbor, and other local waterways as the storm exceeded the capacity of Portland's treatment plants. That is enough stormwater and untreated sewage to fill more than 100 Olympic-sized swimming pools, which, if lined up end to end, would stretch for nearly three miles. 

In the end, Portland reported that 318.4 million gallons (about 1,205,274,544 L) of combined sewage and stormwater overflowed into surrounding waters that October. Thankfully, the waters did not infiltrate sewer backups into area homes, businesses, and streets but it did contribute to Casco Bay pollution. Interestingly, close to 30 years ago, the city was regularly discharging 1.8 billion gallons (about 6,813,738,000 L) of sewage-tainted water into Portland's scenic and economically vital waterways. The 80 percent reduction of this practice over the years illustrates mega strides the city has made but is a reflection on the slow progress everywhere to fixing an underground infrastructure, built generations before environmental regulations were created. 

"This is a legacy problem. It started 100 to 150 years ago when they built the combined sewers," said Mike Riley, coordinator of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's combined sewer overflow, or CSO (Combined Sewage Overflow), program. ("Millions of gallons of Portland sewage still overflowing into Casco Bay ...") "It took decades to get into this problem and it is going to take decades to get out." 

Compounding those challenges, Portland and coastal cities across the U.S. are trying to fix centuries-old problems while facing uncertainties over future sea level rise and other impacts from climate change. 

"I think Portland has made a considerable amount of progress and has made a considerable amount of investment to address the issue of combined sewer overflows and the treatment of waste," said Sean Mahoney, vice president and Maine director of the Conservation Law Foundation, which sued the cities of Portland and South Portland in 1989 to force federal and state regulators to crack down on the storm-related sewage overflows. 

"Interactive map: see where (and when) Portland's sewers are overflowing" Interactive map: see where (and when) Portland's sewers are overflowing ..., http://www.wopular.com/interactive-map-see-where-and-when-portland%E2%80%99s-sewers-are-overflowing-0. 

MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES 

As of 2022, Portland is more than halfway through what is now a roughly 45-year project, costing nearly $250 million in hopes of dramatically reducing the amount of raw sewage flowing into local waterways. In addition to violating the federal Clean Water Act and state environmental regulations, those storm-related discharges carry such hidden dangers as E. coli and salmonella that threaten the health of residents who encounter the water, the vitality of Casco Bay's commercial fishing industry and Portland's status as a tourism destination. Currently, over 80% of lobsters sold in the USA come from the adjacent waters of Maine. The state's lobster harvesters bring in more than 100 million pounds (about 45,359,200 kg) of lobster per year, mostly at Casco Bay--an inlet busy with commercial fishing vessels, ferries, cargo ships, and cruise liners. During heavy rainfall, water overpopulates their sewage solutions and the overflow drains into Casco Bay. This issue is exacerbated even further due to climate change. As the climate continues to warm, the Northeast region of the U.S. is expected to see an increased annual rainfall along with more extreme precipitation events. For reference, the decade from 2005 to 2015 was Maine's wettest decade on record, according to the Maine Climate Office. 

This can cause residents and tourists to contract diseases from consuming these lobsters plus it is harmful to all marine life contaminated by the overflow. A solution was needed to prevent combined sewage overflow (CSO) from entering local waterways and estuaries like Back Cove. Fixing the problem has not been easy and many city residents are feeling the sting during their commutes and in their wallets as the city undertakes massive infrastructure projects to reduce sewage/stormwater discharges in the area. 

To combat this public health hazard, the City of Portland started installing a series of four underground tanks this past summer that will store 3.5 million gallons (about 13,248,935 L) of CSO. The idea behind the massive storage tanks is to capture the first inch of storm runoff which contains the most contaminants, debris, and other pollutants and later treat this "first flush" when the East End Wastewater Treatment Facility has the capacity. H.B. Fleming was a contractor hired to help with this $40 million project. The first step was to build a cofferdam that would create a clean, dry workspace, and support the excavation of the new tanks. This was accomplished by successfully driving steel sheet piling spliced to 100' (feet) length with the ICE® 50B Vibratory Driver Extractor, as exact placement and repositioning is key in situations with underground infrastructures. Additionally, the contractor chose to utilize the ICE® 55-ton dampening solution to help reduce vibrations to the crane.  

Cofferdams are significant when building and repairing structures in or around water due to the high water or saturation/content in soils or from actual bodies of water. It is typically a temporary structure that will form an almost watertight enclosure.  The water/liquid captured inside a cofferdam is pumped out to expose river or seabed surfaces in order to make dry construction of a pier, bridge, and other foundations faster and safer to install. As this is a temporary structure, trickling water will enter the excavation. This is always monitored and usually pumped out periodically.  

b. Creates a dry and safer workspace. 

c. Easier inspection of permanent structure. 

d. Vibratory installation allows for underwater installation, repositioning with ease, increased depths at any point necessary, and removal of temporary sheeting with ease. 

The first use of a cofferdam is estimated at 539 BCE where King Cyrus of Persia supposedly used cofferdams as a weapon of war by diverting the Euphrates River with earthen cofferdams to move his army and capture Babylon. Roman engineers built these enclosures to build the foundations of their stone-arch bridges and aqueducts, including cofferdams made of wood pilings in 102 CE to build Trajan's Bridge, which allowed them to cross the Danube River. With 71% of the earth's surface covered in water, and new construction beginning every day, Cofferdams are just as important today as they were in ancient Persia and Rome. 

Today, an engineer decides the best type of cofferdam to use, as it must be sufficient to meet the project requirements. Standard calculations based on known and predicted forces including hydrostatic pressure, soil loads, water currents, waves, frozen water/ice, as well as seismic and accidental loads are used to make the most beneficial choice with a strong emphasis on safety. With workers and equipment inside of what is essentially a deep, dry, well, an emergency response plan should always be in place. There are several potential risks when working inside a cofferdam including a flood event, but rock fissures and shifting soil conditions even vessel traffic can create unsafe conditions within the cofferdam. Any emergency response plan should include dewatering and dewatering backups that are regularly inspected. Another consideration is the impact of cofferdam removal. In some cases, sheet piles are sheared off and the bottoms are left in place to avoid damaging foundation soil that could in turn damage the new structure and must be carefully planned.  

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2022 report, more than 800 communities nationwide still use infrastructures with combined stormwater and sewer pipes that result in toxic discharges. An estimated 27 billion gallons (about 102,206,070,000 L) of untreated stormwater and sewage annually from New York City and neighboring communities flow into New York Harbor alone. Meanwhile, the communities in Greater Boston have reduced combined sewer overflow discharges by 98 percent since the late-1980s through a $900 million infrastructure improvement plan. Millions of gallons of Portland sewage still overflowing into Casco Bay ..., https://www.pressherald.com/2018/01/07/a-legacy-problem-combined-sewer-stormwater-overflows-challenges-portland/. 

In Maine, 473.6 million gallons (about 1,792,770,176 L) of untreated stormwater and sewage were discharged into state waterways in 2016 by 25 communities spanning the geographic and demographic gamut from Cape Elizabeth to Calais. Portland's 318.4 million gallons (about 1,205,274,544 L) however, accounted for 67 percent of that total as the combination of stormwater and untreated sewage was passively diverted out of more than 31 overflow sites discharging directly into surrounding waterways. 

This national problem is most acute in older cities in the Northeast and Midwest as city engineers at the time designed "cutting-edge" infrastructure projects around the idea that Mother Nature would "take care of it" by periodically helping flush sewers with stormwater, often into rivers or oceans that will carry the waste away. In a testament to the artisanship of the time, many of the brick-lined sewers laid down by workers 100 or even 150 years ago are still used today in many cities, including Portland. 

According to the EPA, once completed, the Casco Bay Restoration Project will eliminate over 40% of all the CSO that is currently being discharged in the city of Portland, ME; in turn lowering the percentage of pollutants flowing into local waterways. Please note the importance of this project as it resolves over 25% of the entire state's discharge. With that in mind, "Bravo!" to H.B Fleming for working diligently to keep Portland's residents healthy, marine life thriving, and its economy prospering. International Construction Equipment, Inc. (ICE®) is proud to be part of these efforts and will continue to supply innovative equipment to help our clients reduce and stop overflows. We want to enhance the livelihood and safety for the communities in the Casco Bay area and all over the world by supplying the right equipment for every job.  

Learn more about the ICE® 50B and ICE® dampening solutions. 


Media Contact-    
Pollyanna Cunningham, MA, MBA    
Director Marketing, Brand and Media Relations    
ICE® - International Construction Equipment, Inc    
Office - 704-821-8200    
Email - marketing@iceusa.com   

ICE® Green Machines for Green Energy
Editor: Allison Braswell

One of the fastest ways to distribute renewable energy is to expand electricity transmission, also known as power lines. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law calls for thousands of miles of new transmission lines to move electricity created by renewable energy sources. Global demand for electricity surged by 6% in 2021, propelled by economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. With this, U.S. residents have seen a rise in power pole installations on their commutes, including those in northwestern Missouri where the best wind energy resources in the state are located. 

During the same year, Missouri ranked 13th in the nation in wind power production, providing more than 70% of the state's renewable generation and thus necessitating more transmission lines to continue the clean energy sweep. The contractor for this project, Longfellow Drilling out of Clearfield, IA, installed new power poles in Orrick, MO by utilizing their own ICE® 50B Vibratory Hammer and a rented ICE® 66C Vibratory Hammer that drove the 8' (ft)-diameter pipe piles 45 feet in the ground. The soil conditions were very stiff, so pre-drilling relief holes to ease pressure while pile driving was key to installing the power poles within 8 minutes. Pre-boring procedures are routine practice for large piles driven through hard, cohesive soils because they reduce soil displacement (which can lead to higher rates of soil infertility and runoff), prevent damage to the pile, and boost production times. 

The existing system of transmission lines is insufficient to meet the nation's goal of a zero-emission economy, so projects like these propel its mission of large-scale deployment of clean energy. Bravo, Longfellow Drilling! International Construction Equipment, Inc. is proud to have been selected to help your team make the world a little greener! 

Learn more about the ICE® 50B and ICE® 66C. 

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