Drilling Towards a Renewable Revolution
Non-Road Diesel Engine for Decarbonizing Road Use 

Editor: Debbie Reaney 

According to researchers, the world is creeping up on its carbon budget. Over the past decade, about 54 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) has been emitted into the atmosphere; 85% of that amount is a result from burning fossil fuels in ways like heating our homes and running our vehicles. To help buy some time on the carbon clock, a joint venture between Love's and Cargill, Heartwell Renewables, is developing a new greenfield renewable fuels plant in Hastings, NE. With an anticipated completion in the summer of 2024, Heartwell Renewables is a unique joint venture between affiliates of The Love's Family of Companies and Cargill to produce and market renewable diesel. Currently, Heartwell Renewables is the only entity of its kind to both manufacture and distribute this fuel all the way to the retail pump. 

In this partnership, Cargill will locally source and provide feedstock, primarily made of beef tallow, required for fuel production as well as other low-carbon feedstocks like distiller's corn oil. Cargill has several beef processing plants that are within trucking distance to the Hastings facility, and it is predicted that the plant will produce 80 million gallons of renewable diesel to aid in the decarbonization of road transportation. It can be used in existing petroleum pipelines, storage tanks, and diesel engines without the need for blending--and it is becoming increasingly popular among truck drivers. As another outcome of this environmental investment, the Hastings community anticipates being a host for well-paying, blue-collared work and hopes for Nebraska to be a hub for other sustainable fuel projects in the future.  

Nicholson Construction was awarded the job of laying down the foundation for the facility. To install auger cast piles into shallow areas on the site, Nicholson used their previously purchased Comacchio CHF 500 Drill Rig from International Construction Equipment, Inc (ICE®). For areas with tougher soil, a bit more torque was required to drive the piles to depth. An ICE® 115-50 Hydraulic Rotary Head, which delivers up to 122,000 ft-lbs of industry-leading torque, was determined to be the best choice for driving the CFA piles in the hard soil. To make this eco-friendly project even greener, the ICE® 115-50 was paired with a Model 460T Power Unit, one of the several types of Tier 4 Power Units available at ICE®. The CAT diesel engines in Tier 4 Power Units are held to high EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards regarding emissions of particulate matter (PM), or black soot, and nitrogen oxides (NOx). By 2015, these power units have reduced PM and NOx emissions by 99 percent! Fuel economy also improves by up to 5 percent when using Tier 4 Power Units versus Tier 3, cutting down on maintenance costs due to the boosted engine efficiency.  

ICE® applauds Nicholson Construction's commitment to initiatives that keep our planet thriving (and green!) for future generations. As noted on their company website, Nicholson's directive is to "reduce our collective impact on the environment by 40% in 2030," and by using foundation equipment and power units like International Construction Equipment's Tier 4 offerings, they are getting closer. Thank you again, Nicholson Construction, ICE® is honored to be working together using advanced emission control technology to help bring this revolutionary fuel from the plant to the retail pump. 

Learn more about the ICE® 115-50 and Comacchio's line of large diameter drill rigs. 

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   

East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (EXPANDED) 

Editor: Debbie Reaney 

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy was the deadliest, most destructive, and strongest hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season. It completely devastated the Northeast region, particularly New York City, its suburbs, and Long Island. Sandy's impacts included the flooding of the New York City Subway system, many suburban communities, and all the road tunnels entering Manhattan with the exception of the Lincoln Tunnel. Forty-four individuals lost their lives and $19 Million in residential damages were just two of the dreadful aftermaths of the storm. In the wake of this tragedy, New York City officials quickly got to work creating a plan to safeguard the coast from future flooding. As sea levels continue to rise due to coastal storms and other threats posed by climate change, New York is doing its part to protect the parks, neighborhoods, and vegetation across Manhattan's East Side against future storm damage and flooding. The East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) Project aims to offer protection to significant infrastructure including a major pump station and an electrical substation, which powers much of Lower Manhattan, as well as numerous local schools and libraries. These updates, along with a 2.4-mile flood plan including floodgates and floodwalls, will be built right into the fabric of the community, and is expected to keep 110,000 lives safe. Beginning in late Fall 2020, the $1.45-billion project involves elevating the East River Park, installing flood walls, and reconstructing the waterfront bulkhead to enhance flood resiliency. Significant upgrades will also be given to the various public open spaces and five parks, including improved waterfront access through reconstructed bridges and entry points; while also upgrading existing sewer systems to capture and manage precipitation during storms. With its dense urban environment and complex below and above-ground infrastructure, the ESCR project is among the largest and most technically complex developments in New York City's history. Due to the shear scope of this plan, construction in the Manhattan area is expected to continue through 2026 and when completed, will protect the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who live in this high impact area. 

For part of the first phase of this massive undertaking, portions of the foundation work for the ESCR were completed by Posillico Inc and Atlantic Pile in a joint venture. While working under the FDR Bridge, on the east side of Manhattan, Posillico Civil Atlantic Pile Joint Venture encountered a few unique job challenges, including making sure that this major throughfare into the city continued to flow uninterrupted. Understanding how to select the proper equipment can make or break a project; with this in mind the industry experts at Posillico Civil Atlantic Pile JV turned to the experts at ICE® (International Construction Equipment, Inc.) to provide the proper drill and tooling equipment to accomplish the work quickly and safely. After speaking with their ICE® Sales & Service Team, the decision was made to purchase and utilize a Comacchio MC8D drill rig in tandem with a Tecniwell TW700 Jet Grout and Tecniwell TWM40 Grout Mixing Plant. This combination gave the Posillico/Atlantic JV crew the ability to fill in foundation holes with the rig as they were created, saving both time and money. Afterwards sheet piles were driven, and the high-powered jet grout pump was once again used to plug any gaps surrounding the piles. This method allows for a strong driven pile foundation which is further strengthened by the grout. The Comacchio MC8D, a versatile and powerful hydraulic drilling rig, designed for civil engineering works such as micropiles, anchors and ground improvement in general was used throughout the job for many different applications, as the scope of the project was so vast.  

Gateway Demo/Civil Corp. out of Hicksville, NY was another one of many contractors selected to work on this early phase of the project. Their portion of this venture required them to drive H-Beams for the park's reconstructed and reconfigured outfall system that will reroute more of the storm drainage on the western, residential side of the park. Outfalls are pipelines or tunnels that discharge municipal or industrial wastewater, storm water, combined sewer overflows, cooling water, or brine effluents to a receiving water body. Strengthening the storm sewer outfall helps mitigate rain and tide waters from backflowing through the stormwater sewer system and flooding the neighborhood during storm surges. When it came time to select proper equipment to drive the H-piles for this important portion of the project, ICE® supplied Gateway with the ICE® 22 Vibratory Pile Driver to drive the piles ten feet underground. Additionally, an ICE® I-12 Diesel Hammer was utilized in driving the piles further allowing for a drainage pipe to be laid on top. The drainage pipe will then direct storm runoff into the river and lessen the chances of overflow in the area.  

America Takes a Step Toward Self Sufficiency
Louisiana LNG Project Promotes Independent Clean Energy 

Editor: Debbie Reaney

Between 2020 and 2022, national liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices soared by 400%. Factors that have contributed to the significant increase include international conflicts, maxed-out pipeline capacities, and COVID-19 pandemic-related labor shortages. Nonetheless, the global demand for clean energy continues to rise and has no plans to slow down soon. 

In efforts to satisfy the rapidly growing demand, United States LNG company, Venture Global LNG, is developing an LNG export terminal in Plaquemines Parish, LA, just south of New Orleans. Once fully operational in 2025, Plaquemines LNG (PLNG) will have an export capacity of up to 20 million metric tons per year. The 630-acre project is taking place along the west bank of the Mississippi River where its deep-water access eliminates the need for dredging, accelerating the project timeline and creating an environmentally friendly expansion process. It also involves the development of two new pipelines that will connect to the existing interstate pipelines and feed natural gas to the facility. In June 2022, Venture Global secured $13.2 billion in funding for Phase 1--the largest project financing in the world closed to date in 2022 according to the company. Phase 2 of the project was recently approved in Spring of 2023 making this a combined $21 billion investment. 

An important outcome of this new facility is increased reliance on America's own clean and affordable energy sources instead of natural gas providers overseas. Venture Global is confident that the rest of the world will be influenced to also seek self-sufficiency for their energy needs upon the project's completion. As an added benefit, the livelihood of thousands in the Greater New Orleans region will be supported during and after construction as 250 direct jobs, 728 indirect jobs, and 2,200 construction jobs will be generated. 

One of the contractors working diligently to complete this project, Cajun Industries, a nationally recognized construction leader, was selected to conduct the vital foundation work for the new structure. Since the company's inception in 1973, Baton Rouge-based Cajun has spent decades honing its competency in engineering, deep foundations, civil, pipe fabrication, mechanical and marine construction services. For this project, they are currently renting many of their pile driving essentials from International Construction Equipment, Inc, including three ICE® I-30 Diesel Impact Hammers, two ICE® I-36 Diesel Impact Hammers, two ICE® 44B Vibratory Driver/Extractor, and an ICE® 28 Vibratory Driver/Extractor. So far, these machines have driven 650ea 24"x120' Precast Piles, 350ea 18"x90' Precast Piles, 330ea 18"x120' Precast Piles, and 250,000SF of Sheet Piles (~1000 pairs of sheet Piles) for the foundations of the LNG storage tanks and the platforms for loading and unloading vessels. 

The ICE ® 28 Vibratory hammer is currently being used to install 7,600 wall feet of sheet piling at 45' long in the eastern temporary workspace. As the wind in the area proved to be an occasional challenge, StabCats were utilized to help thread the sheets when necessary. Ten miles of steel walls designed with state-of-the-art storm surge and hurricane proofing have also been installed. 

Plans are in the works for a second facility to be built adjacent to the first one, doubling the capacity for natural gas storage and ship docking on the Mississippi River. Together, Cajun Industries' experience and the versatility of ICE® deep foundation equipment is setting the nation's self-sufficiency in motion. Thank you, Cajun, for your continued support and trust. ICE ® is honored to have been able to provide your team with some of the tools required to complete this project safely and efficiently. 

Learn more about the ICE® I-30V2, ICE® I-36V2, ICE® 22, and ICE® 28. 

Rendering of Venture Global's Plaquemines LNG export terminal in Plaquemines Parish, about 20 miles south of New Orleans. 

RENDERING PROVIDED BY VENTURE GLOBAL LNG/ Approved Photograph of site provided by Cajun 

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 Wild Side of The District 

ICE® I-19 Hammer Connects Capital Beltway to Nature 

Editor: Allison Braswell 

With the constant hustle and bustle of Washington, D.C., there is no question that its residents need an occasional escape to enjoy a little peace and the stately quiet of nature. Interestingly, the expansion of the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) that encircles the city will soon make that opportunity easier to attain. 

Between the Dulles Corridor and George Washington Memorial Parkway interchanges, four new express lanes (two in each direction) are being added next to the general-purpose lanes to extend the existing I-495 Express Lanes by 2.5 miles. Referred to as the 495 NEXT Project, the $600 million extension will be open by late 2025 to provide more travel options and congestion relief in Northern Virginia and generate a potential $880 million in economic impact. In addition, the two-lane bridge on Lewinsville Road over the Beltway is receiving new 10' (ft)-wide sidewalks on each side of the bridge for safe pedestrian access. These sidewalks will go in the direction towards Scott's Run Nature Preserve, one of the most unique ecosystems in the mid-Atlantic. Its dynamic blend of rocky cliffs and steep valleys were sculpted by the erosive forces of the magnificent Potomac River, which can be viewed from the preserve's many assorted hiking trails. Sections of old noise walls along the corridor are also being upgraded. 

The piles that will support the new lanes and sidewalks on the bridge are being installed by leading heavy civil contractor Lane Construction. So far, the crew has employed an ICE® I-19 Diesel Impact Hammer to effortlessly drive 14" (in)-diameter H-beams to a 30' (ft) depth. Other 495 NEXT plans on the horizon for Lane Construction include seven bridge replacements, a new Virginia/Maryland bus service, and environmental improvements to existing infrastructure. International Construction Equipment, Inc appreciates Lane Con for the opportunity to help expand safe travel choices and create accessibility to the natural beauty that lies just outside the nation's capital. 

Learn more about the ICE® I-19. 

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   

New Bridge & Protected Fish 

Editor: Debbie Reaney 

Vancouver-based contractor, Cascade Bridge, who specializes in bridge construction and rehabilitation was recently chosen to replace the century-old Cherrylane Bridge off U.S. Highway 12 near Lenore, ID. The original Cherrylane Bridge, which sees approximately 350 vehicles a day, is 15.4 feet wide and stretches 788 feet across the Clearwater River. Constructed in 1919 and last rehabilitated in 1978, replacement of the aging bridge had been in the making for nearly 20 years. The new $21 million replacement structure was built about 70 feet upstream and consists of an 800' (ft)-long four-span steel plate girder bridge with a 12-foot travel lane and 8-foot shoulder in each direction. Demolition of the existing bridge is currently in progress. 

This job was a challenging one for pile driving, but the experts at Cascade Bridge wisely invested in quality pile driving equipment from International Construction Equipment, Inc to combat any obstacles. The crew began with the installation of a temporary work trestle to access the job site across the river using two ICE® I-30 Diesel Impact Hammers. Their own ICE® 44 Vibratory Hammer was also employed to drive more work trestle piles as well as NZ26 sheet piles for a cofferdam. While driving a group of trestle piles in an area with particularly tough soil near the surface, the crew discovered that a hammer with a bit more force than the ICE® 44 was required. The team of experienced professionals at Cascade were pleased to have an ICE® 110 Vibratory Hammer available to complete the trestle in this troublesome spot, doing so quickly and safely. 

All work was done while abiding by the "fish window," or when fish migration is less common during a certain time of the year. This in-water work window offered a short duration of time to work with, but the high-performing ICE® deep foundation equipment helped the contractor meet the tight deadline, avoiding liquidated damages and disturbance to native marine life like B-run steelhead and chinook "king" salmon. As an additional environmental safety procedure, the application of a bubble curtain; or injected air flow that forms a barrier surrounding the job site; was also used to reduce underwater pile driving frequencies that can be lethal to fish. 

In June of 2023, the long-awaited new Cherrylane Bridge was completed and was opened to traffic.  This new bridge will better accommodate heavy freight traffic including emergency response vehicles and create safer access to and from the Nez Perce Indian Reservation, giving local Idaho residents and tourists some long-awaited relief. Cascade Bridge did a superb job of getting the bridge built quickly despite geographical and environmental challenges. Although the bridge is now finished, construction crews are now in the process of dismantling the old Cherrylane Bridge as well as the temporary work trestles that had been built to support this endeavor. Congratulations on a job well done, Cascade Bridge, ICE® salutes you!  

Learn more about the ICE® I-30, ICE® 44, and ICE® 110. 

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   

Foundation For a Farm-Fresh Future 

Editor: Debbie Reaney

Since 1918, farmer-owners of the fifth largest dairy cooperative in the U.S., Darigold, have valued their work in producing high-quality, nutritious dairy products. Headquartered in Seattle, WA, Darigold has 11 milk processing plants scattered across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana that collectively produce over 10 billion pounds (about 4535920000 kg) of farm-fresh milk each year. Dairy farmers of the Pacific Northwest have recently gained more from rising global dairy demand than domestic demand due to their proximity to global shipping infrastructure. Meanwhile in the U.S., families are still being affected by the 2022 infant formula shortage--As the uncertainty of consistent formula supply has risen, so has the demand for it. For these reasons, additional space for milk product manufacturing is now required for Darigold to meet both domestic and international demands. 

With the help of Michels Construction, a family owned and operated construction company out of Brownsville, WI, the organization's 400 dairy farm family owners are welcoming its largest facility for making powdered milk products. Michels Construction, a leader in innovative construction solutions since 1959, is laying the foundation for a state-of-the-art milk processing plant in Pasco, WA. So far, the Michels crew is using an ICE® D-50 Diesel Impact Hammer to drive 14" (in)-diameter H-beams that will create structural support for the facility. Set to begin operation in early 2024, the $600 million plant will have the capacity to process 8 million pounds (about 3628736 kg) of milk per day, utilizing its two specialized milk dryers, two butter churns, and about a dozen packaging lines for powdered milk and butter products. The project is expected to create about 300 new on-site jobs for managers and technicians and more at the 100 surrounding dairy farms that will produce the milk to supply the plant. Furthermore, with the implementation of innovative technology and conservation strategies, Darigold will alleviate carbon emissions by 300,000 metric tons annually. 

Washington State looks forward to the expected economic growth following the project, as the dairy industry continues to lead the region's agricultural sector. International Construction Equipment, Inc is proud that its American-made deep foundation products were selected by Michels to support this huge investment in the city of Pasco and the future of farm-fresh dairy worldwide. Congratulations Michels Construction, your consistent dedication to quality and safety makes you the "cream" of the crop! 

Learn more about the ICE® D-50. 

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   

America's Maritime Guardians 

Editor: Allison Braswell

The United States Coast Guard is the nation's lead agency for maritime search and rescue operations, defense against transnational crime and terrorism, protection of marine species and habitats, and commander of many other missions that enforce federal laws on the water. 

41 active-duty personnel and four enlisted reservists currently lodge at the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Grand Isle, LA. The crew's duties are accomplished with help from their fast-response rescue watercrafts including a 47' (ft) Motor Lifeboat (MLB), a 41' Utility Boat (UTB), a 23' SAFE boat (Secure Around Flotation Equipped), and an 18' Majek flat boat. Featuring state-of-the-art durability, these boats are the most reliable forms of transportation in high seas and severe weather environments. For instance, the motor lifeboat can self-right within 30 seconds if it is knocked over by waves or surf, helping the crew respond rapidly to missions and make it back home safely. 

For years, the timber piling of a boat dock at Coast Guard Station Grand Isle has endured Louisiana's heated rays and constant wave action, causing deterioration of the dock and thus a reduction in safety. Meanwhile, sitting on the base's 29 acres (about half the area of The Vatican) are 35,000 square feet (about the area of a large mansion) of operational and multi-purpose buildings, which are located close to the shoreline where an aging bulkhead is these structures' only protection against erosion. To give the station a much-needed makeover, APC Construction of Harvey, LA replaced piling of the bulkhead and boat dock. An ICE® 22 Vibratory Driver/Extractor equipped with a Model 55 Combination Clamp was used to pull old timber and concrete piling and install 60' (ft) steel sheet piles. 

Now with a repaired bulkhead and boat dock, the Coast Guard officers can worry less about the condition of their operational structures and stay focused on their humanitarian and security services. As America's leading pile driving and drilling equipment manufacturer, International Construction Equipment, Inc is proud to have their equipment being used for this project. Nice work, APC and thank you! Your role in helping to preserve these important assets of the U.S. Coast Guard are bound to aid them in meeting the maritime interests and safety of the United States.

Learn more about the ICE® 22 and Model 55 Clamp. 

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   

Versatile Clamp Helps Protect First Responders 

Editor: Allison Braswell 

By 2025, residents of the St. Louis, MO metropolitan area will have a more peaceful commute on the reconstructed Chain of Rocks Bridge that carries Interstate 270 over the Mississippi River between St. Louis and Madison County, IL. The nearly 60-year-old design of the existing bridge is no longer practical for emergency vehicles. Its four lanes and one-foot-wide shoulders make it a challenge for first responders to get to accidents quickly and stay safe when on the scene near passing cars. Furthermore, average daily traffic (ADT) has more than doubled in the past five decades--from 19,800 vehicles a day in 1975 to a daily 51,000 vehicles today. These factors, on top of frequently-needed repairs, have created delays for business professionals, students, emergency responders, and other daily commuters. 

Thankfully, after years of planning and funding, the states of Missouri and Illinois launched the Chain of Rocks Bridge replacement project in February 2023 to address the traffic increase and overall inadequate design. Led by Walsh Contractors, the new structure will feature "twin" bridges, one on the same alignment as the current bridge and a second one directly south of it. I-270 will also be widened to six lanes instead of four, helping to ease congestion for everyone including truck drivers who depend on the interstate as a major freight hauling route. 

For the bridge foundations, the Walsh crew is installing 114" (in)-diameter caissons using an ICE® 110 Vibratory Driver/Extractor. Equipped with their own ICE® caisson beam and clamps, the temporary outer casings were driven followed by the permanent inner casings that stood about eight feet above the driven outer casings. When it came time to extract the temporary pile after applying concrete and rebar, ICE® supplied two 10' (ft) extensions to extend the two clamps past the taller inner casings and reach the edges of the outer casings. The caisson clamps, however, could not be used for this task because the jaws would not fit in the narrow space between the inner casings and outer casings. The ICE® sales team offered a unique solution--to weld tabs on the outside of the outer casings and utilize the jaws of two ICE® 196C Sheeting Clamps that can open wide enough to take hold of the tabs. Two 90° Turning Plates mounted on top of the extensions helped angle the versatile sheeting clamps in the correct position to remove the outer casings. 

Walsh Contractors has depended on International Construction Equipment, Inc time and time again for their pile driving needs, and sometimes for outside-the-box solutions! ICE® is grateful for their long-standing partnership with Walsh and the opportunity to take care of St. Louis' first responders who put their lives on the line every day to selflessly help others. 

Learn more about the ICE® 110 and the ICE® 196C Sheeting Clamp. 

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