Callan Marine Widens Nation's Energy Net 

Editor: Debbie Reaney 

Callan Marine is wrapping up a national critical infrastructure project that will render the Corpus Christi Ship Channel the most improved in the entire U.S. Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida. This job is extremely important, as the Port of Corpus Christi is the nation's largest U.S. energy export gateway and third largest seaport in total waterway tonnage. The Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project (CCSCIP) is a four-phase undertaking that has been underway for nearly three decades which included the massive task of deepening and widening the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. Closing in on 2024, the Port of Corpus Christi and its customers can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

In 1990, Congress authorized a study to determine the feasibility of expanding the Corpus Christi Ship Channel through widening and deepening the waterway. After many years of planning, the project advanced to construction in 2017. Phases 1 through 3, which included the dredging work to improve approximately 11.9 miles of the associated shipping channel, effectively widening the channel from 400 feet to 530 feet and deepening it from 47 feet to 54 feet. This task was completed by Texas-based dredging companies Callan Marine, Ltd. and Great Lakes Dredge & Dock, LLC. Recently, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG) awarded Callan Marine, Ltd. the contract to finish out the final multimillion dollar contract for the CCSCIP Phase 4, which is expected to be finished in early 2025, making the ship channel the most improved waterway along the U.S. Gulf Coast.  

As separate efforts continue to advance to deliver a higher-clearance Harbor Bridge over the Inner Harbor entrance to the port by 2024, Callan Marine will complete dredging on the final stretch of the project--the Inner Harbor reach. When the entire project is complete it will use roughly five million cubic yards of dredged material in the construction of beneficial use sites for wildlife and erosion control, by providing 395 acres of sacrificial erosion protection along with the construction of a 2,000-foot breakwater that will tie into a currently planned 4,000-foot breakwater in the Nueces Delta. The project also aims to nourish degraded habitats by converting 206 acres of open water into an estuarine marsh. An additional 120 acres of intertidal living shoreline will be created to provide shoreline protection and prevent road overtopping, along with the creation of a separate 200-acre industrial use site for local economic and commercial entities. To aid in this sensitive and important project, Callan reached out to International Construction Equipment, Inc. (ICE®) and selected an ICE® 44B Vibratory Hammer with sheeting clamp for the template and sheet pile work to support this massive earth retention wall. The 44B, which has the highest frequency and driving force in its class, was also used along with an ICE® I-36 & ICE® I-46 Diesel Hammer to drive 24" (inch) pipe and H-piles down to tip, securely installing the deep foundation needed to support this structure. 

Callan Marine has made great progress so far, not only for the Port of Corpus Christi, but for the entire Coastal Bend region, bringing a wealth of opportunities for future economic prosperity and growth. Amazing work by this fantastic team of professionals! International Construction Equipment Inc. (ICE®) appreciates the opportunity to be a small part of this historic infrastructure project and looks forward to continuing to supply the equipment and excellent service our clients, like Callan Marine, can count on. 

Learn more about the ICE® 44B Vibratory Hammer and our ICE® I-Series Diesel Hammers 

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 

What Does ICE® Have To Do With Paper? 

Editor: Debbie Reaney

Paper mills were once a booming revenue source for Maine but now only six pulp and paper mills remain in operation within the state. Fortunately, one of them is Sappi's Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, where the employees proudly churn out one million tons of paper a year, but paper is not their only focus. The Sappi Somerset Mill is also serious about the environment, which is why the company uses every bit of the hard and softwood trees that are transported to the mill. The company says nothing is wasted.

To further invest in the future of Maine's pulp and logging industry, Sappi's Somerset is moving forward with an expansion of one of its mills and wisely selected the professionals at Maine Drilling & Blasting to help. Maine Drilling & Blasting (MD&B) is an employee-owned American small business with over 50 years of experience. Dedicated to safety and quality, the MD&B team provides drilling, blasting, foundation services, and other related specialty services within the New England, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast areas of the United States. The project brought on some challenges as it was to be completed in an active paper mill. Over 200 micropiles needed to be drilled and installed while working around the paper mill's daily operations. The work areas were extremely tight, with most piles being drilled just inches from obstructions. While the drilling operations were underway, demo and utility relocation were also happening simultaneously. To make matters more difficult, the drilling operation was happening in a mill location where all the finished paper products were packaged for shipment. The paper produced at the mill is all food grade paper, so safety and cleanliness measures were extremely important. Controlling the spoils (mess) from drilling and not allowing it to tarnish the paper was critical. With the total project cost in the multi-millions, and an extremely tight schedule, redundant standby equipment was rented to make sure that no breakdowns delayed the schedule. ICE® (International Construction Equipment,) was able to provide the project with brand new drill rigs that performed as expected with little to no downtime, allowing the contractor to stay on budget and on time.   

Maine Drilling rented three Comacchio MC-8D's from ICE® for this project, as well as a fourth owned drill that had been previously purchased from ICE®. Due to its size and power, the MC-8D was selected as it was the largest of the smaller drill rigs that could safely fit into the working conditions. The MC 8D is a versatile and powerful hydraulic drilling rig, designed for civil engineering works such as micropiles, anchors and ground improvement in general through the use of all rotary and/or rotary- percussive drilling systems. Another reason this machine was chosen was due to the size and depth of the pile. Hundreds of 8" (in) drilled piles with 3" (in) reinforcement bars needed to be placed 60-100 feet deep and the contractor felt that anything smaller than the MC-8D would not have been up to the task. Every function and kinematic set up that the MC-8D could be utilized for was used, giving access to even the most challenging holes. MD&B also required the three rental MC-8D's at the same time for a continuous three months, which is a challenge in itself. ICE® was able to provide the crew with the equipment needed with only two to three weeks' notice. According to the project manager, "If the ICE® Sales & Service team had not been able to meet the rental demand, we would have had to look at other vendors, which would have complicated operations and slowed the project down." 

The mill plans to have the expansion finished by April 2025. 

International Construction Equipment, Inc. (ICE®) applauds Maine Drilling & Blasting's abilities to face these challenges head on and congratulates them on a job well-done. We look forward to continuing to supply MD&B, as well as all of our clients, with the foundation equipment they need to help them accomplish their project goals in an efficient and timely manner. 

Learn more about the Comacchio MC-8D and other Fully Articulated Multipurpose Rigs offered by the ICE Drilling Sales and Service Team

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® 44B Accelerates CA High Speed Rail Project   

Editor: Debbie Reaney 

Forefront Deep Foundations, a subcontractor for the Dragados/Flatiron Joint Venture (DFJV), is busy creating a firm foothold for the high-speed rail in California. Specializing in driven pile, shoring, and other deep foundation systems throughout California, this Newport Beach-based DBE/SBE contractor is currently building two temporary work trestles that will facilitate construction of a permanent precast bridge in the Central Valley. Part of the California High Speed Train Project: Fresno to Bakersfield Section Project (EP 18956-4), also known as the The Dutch John Cut Package (CP 2-3), this is the second significant construction contract executed on the Initial Operating Section since breaking ground in 2019.   

These temporary "work trestles" are being installed across two separate locations along the Kings River to allow continued access during construction of the railroad bridges near Laton, CA. The trestles are being placed across Dutch John Cut and Cole Slough. As both waterways flow into the Kings River, this job is important for the High-speed rail and is being constructed to work within an adopted flood control plan. This is just one of several challenges on this project including environmental constraints of working in the riverbed, various unknown soil conditions and an aggressive schedule. Thankfully as seasoned heavy civil construction professionals, the Forefront Team has taken these challenges in stride and continues to chug forward. In fact, to aid in combating some of these issues the subcontractor chose to go with the ICE® 44B specifically due to its efficiency and time savings installing pipe piles and wisely utilized it to establish the piles prior to final installation with the impact hammer.   

According to Forefront president, Jeff Bird, the crew is "using an ICE® 44B vibratory hammer to efficiently establish 172 36" x .625" pipe piles x 79' approx. 40' in the ground followed by an impact hammer to further drive them to grade". This portion of the job extends approximately 65 miles from the terminus of Construction Package 1 at East American Avenue in Fresno to one mile north of the Tulare-Kern County line and includes approximately 26 grade separations in the counties of Fresno, Tulare, and Kings, including multiple viaducts, underpasses, and overpasses. When completed, the trestles will support two large capacity cranes; each weighing 1,431,000 lb (about 649090.15 kg); which will be used to install precast concrete "tub" girders for the new railroad bridge. Once the permanent bridge is built the temporary trestles will be removed. As of September 2023, construction is forecast for completion by early 2026.  

California High-Speed Rail will eventually go from the Bay Area to Southern California and is among the largest and most anticipated projects the state has seen in decades. By 2030 this monumental first high-speed rail system in the United States is expected to connect 6 of the 10 largest cities in California and is on track to contribute to economic development of the area while at the same time helping to create a cleaner environment - preserving both agricultural and protected lands along with inspiring job growth. In fact, since the start of construction, the Authority has created more than 10,000 construction jobs, a majority going to residents from the Central Valley. This includes 3,429 that have gone to residents from Fresno County, 1,946 from Kern County, 1,033 from Tulare County, 442 from Madera County, and 369 from Kings County. As family-owned American small businesses, both Forefront Deep Foundations and International Construction Equipment, Inc. (ICE®) understand the importance of supporting the local economy and surrounding communities by providing safe infrastructure and promoting residential prosperity. We are proud to be part of this historical project with partners like Forefront and applaud them as they help Californians speed towards the future! 

Learn more about the ICE® 44B 

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   

Pile Driving & Storm Defying 

Editor: Debbie Reaney 

Spanning over the Raritan River in Newark NJ is the sole bridge that has carried trains of the New Jersey Coast Line from South Amboy to Perth Amboy for the past 115 years and encompasses greater Newark, Hoboken, Jersey City and New York City. During the destructive Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the low-profile structure became submerged and took a hit from a runaway tugboat and was shifted 18 inches on its piles, prompting over $3 million worth of emergency repairs. The bridge was returned to normal use after the fact, except strict speed limits for the trains were put in place, which has pushed back arrival times for job commuters traveling to big business centers in Newark, Jersey City, and Manhattan. The NJCL (North Jersey Coast Line), which connects with the NEC (Northeast Corridor Line) south of Penn Station Newark, provides service to approximately 11,400 daily riders averaging approximately 23,000 weekday passenger trips, making this replacement project a high priority for all.  

Quietly proceeding, on schedule, the Raritan River Bridge is being replaced with a higher-elevated, doubled-width railroad bridge featuring resilient structural designs and materials that can withstand strong storm surges and other severe weather events. Its innovative and updated design will also improve marine traffic that passes beneath the bridge. For the first phase of this project (GC.01), New Jersey Transit (NJT) awarded a $248 million contract to George Harms Construction Co. of Farmingdale, N.J. The work being done includes landslide and bridge approaches along with substructure foundation and is expected to be completed in October 2024. Phase 2, GC.02 (currently in procurement), will include construction of the vertical lift bridge (lift/flanking span superstructure), and communications, signal, and overhead catenary work. Phase 3, GC.03, includes demolition of the existing bridge. When George Harms first won the contract, they wisely purchased both an ICE® 200C and an ICE® 33B Vibratory Hammer from International Construction Equipment, Inc to prepare for the substructure work. Using the ICE® 200C, they are driving 102" (in) diameter caissons with lengths up to 140' (ft), and the ICE® 33B for smaller pipe pile application. The contractors also utilized their own ICE® 7E Excavator-Mounted Hydraulic Vibratory Driver/Extractor paired with a Gooseneck extension to drive sheet piles easily. The gear case design of the ICE® 7E allows for maximum vibrating speed and mobility, while the optional Gooseneck add-on extends the boom on the excavator and enables the crew to drive longer piles with a greater reach.  

Since breaking ground in mid 2020, George Harms has made many accomplishments on the substructure, including completion of eighty-four 8' (ft) diameter drilled shafts up to 225' (ft) deep. Each shaft has a casing length of between 60 and 145 feet. The contractor is also working on two support piers, each containing over 3,500 cubic yards (about the volume of an Olympic-size swimming pool) of concrete, as well as all approach span superstructure work, consisting of 24 spans of six steel girders per span. Ten of 26 pier caps have been finished. These consist of 18 bent piers (2 drilled shafts), 4 quad piers (4 drilled shafts), 2 flanking spans (6 drilled shafts), and 2 lift spans (10 drilled shafts). In total, there are 17,010 CY of concrete and 2.5 million pounds (1,300 tons) of rebar in the pier caps. NJT notes that "there's enough concrete in the drilled shafts to build a sidewalk from South Amboy to Cape May, N.J." That's 127 miles! Temporary trestles from each riverbank are helping them access the sub- and superstructure work. Upon completion, the Raritan River Bridge Replacement project is expected to generate $1 billion (about $3 per person in the US) in economic impact for New Jersey and support 5,740 jobs and $352.5 million in earnings. Magnificent work, George Harms Construction, for converting this critical but failing rail link for New Jersey Coast Line customers into a robust and sustainable transportation option for decades to come. 

Learn more about the ICE® 200C, ICE® 33B, 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 

Wagman Helps Improve Delaware Interchange 

Editor: Debbie Reaney 

A massive, $284-million interchange project will alter future passenger and freight movement on the East Coast. Along the Mid-Atlantic section of I-95, DelDOT is making numerous improvements to Delaware's segment of the nation's longest north-south Interstate. Geometric design changes, structure rehabilitation, new signage and pavement, roadway widening, and much more will ease congestion and reduce frequency of accidents on State Route 896, the main exit for the University of Delaware  This section also serves as a critical part of the local, regional, and national multimodal system within northern Delaware, supporting connections such as: Amtrak; SEPTA; CSXT; and Philadelphia International, BWI, Wilmington Philadelphia Regional and New Castle Airports.  SR 896 is also the primary north-south route for traffic travelling to and from the City of Newark from areas to the south, such as Glasgow, the US 40 corridor, and Middletown. Of the 127,000 vehicles that travel this part of the I-95 Interstate each day, 60% of those use SR 896 interchange to enter and exit the highway. 

Wagman Heavy Civil was selected as the contractor for this integral project and has been making infrastructure improvements along the highly traveled I-95 corridor on the east coast for the last several years. Past and current projects have included: VDOT's I-95 over the Meherrin and Rappahannock Rivers, MD SHA's I-95/I-495 Woodrow Wilson Bridge Approaches and I-95/I-695 Repair of Ten Bridges; MDTA's I-95 Deck Rehabilitation of 28 bridges in Baltimore and their Express Toll Lanes program including the I-95/I-695 and MD 152 Interchange Reconstruction. They have also been selected to work on the most current phase of the project, recently constructing and opening a new temporary ramp from I-95 Southbound to SR 896 Northbound. The temporary ramp has allowed the team to build new off ramps that include improved overpasses and ten mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining walls. Commonly seen on highways and other high-volume traffic areas, these walls contain structural backfill materials that serve as the main retaining force. The backfill is reinforced by either steel or geosynthetic materials in the form of ladders or straps, which compress the materials and keep them from shifting. The walls' exterior helps to prevent erosion of the soil reinforcement and backfill. Stormwater management (SWM) ponds are also underway, which collect rainwater that runs over the impermeable roadways. Not only does this keep water from accumulating on the roads, but it also allows any pollutants or sediments to settle before the water is released back into the watershed. Structure rehabilitation, asphalt and concrete paving, new sign structures, drainage improvement, as well as a shared use path for pedestrians and bicyclists, and roadway widening for ramps are also included in this design/build project.  

Phase 2 A officially broke ground in May of 2023 with the Wagman crew utilizing an ICE® I-46V2 Diesel Impact Hammer to drive the H-beams to support a new flyover off ramps on the Interstate from southbound Del. 896 to northbound I-95 and from southbound I-95 to southbound Del. 896. These flyovers will increase the distance between exit and entrance ramps, reducing the traffic weaving and adding a bit more safety to the area. Wagman crews are also using drilling equipment bought from ICE® a few years ago to place tie backs that will support the new pump station. Mid-November 2023, the contractor started shifting traffic on both I-95 NB and SB to allow for the construction of a bridge pier in the median of I-95, just south of SR 896. Simultaneously, the experts at Wagman are continuing to place the bridge foundations and piers throughout the project along with construction of the MSE walls. In response to local public feedback, the new interchange will also include a new 10-foot walking and bicycling path over I-95, running from Welsh Tract Road to Old Baltimore Pike with a concrete median separating cyclists and pedestrians from cars and according to city officials, will provide the "missing link" in bicycle connectivity in the area. Phase 2 completion is currently set for 2025, and the Wagman team is working ahead of schedule. International Construction Equipment, Inc. (ICE®) is grateful for the opportunity to help support your team on this important infrastructure project and applauds your efforts. Fantastic work by this amazing team of professionals, as the modernization of this interchange will certainly improve safety for the thousands of people who travel through this area every day. 

Learn more about the ICE® I-46V2  

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® Green Machine Keeps Water Clean 

Editor: Debbie Reaney 

Established in 1939, the Bowery Bay Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) in New York, NY treats 225 million gallons (about 851717250 L) per day (MGD) of mainly residential wastewater for Northwestern Queens. The facility is responsible for screening, primary and secondary treatments, activated-sludge treatment, and disinfection of the plant effluent before it is discharged into the Rikers Island Channel through an outfall pipe. It is easy to forget about these procedures that happen behind the scenes to keep our communities in good health. Nonetheless, like all infrastructure, regular maintenance is key to keeping water treatment plants working efficiently and protecting local waterways. 

It has come time for the Bowery Bay plant's outfall pipe to be replaced. Over time, erosion from runoff can cause outfall infrastructure to degrade or break, leading to clogged pipes and weakened control of water pollution. Some pipes simply have outdated designs that do not support larger effluent volumes triggered by population growth in the region, which can create flooding near the shoreline and eventually into surrounding public spaces. In this case, the pile driving experts at Soil Solutions, Inc stepped in to restore the long-term function of the outfall. 

Inside the pre-existing cofferdam surrounding the Bowery Bay outfall site, the Soil Solutions crew drove 12.75" (in) steel pipe piles that will support the new outfall infrastructure. They used their own pile rig to drive the first group of piles that were easiest to reach, however the remaining group of piles were not accessible without a crane. By following up with a lighter weight ICE® I-12V2 Diesel Impact Hammer free-hanging from their crane, the SS team was able to overcome the reach limitations of their rig and complete the installation of the hard-to-reach piles. International Construction Equipment, Inc. is happy to have provided a tool that helped to easily resolve this challenge and applauds the Soil Solution crew for their innovative problem solving. Thank you, Soil Solutions for trusting in the abilities of ICE® deep foundation equipment to polish off your project and help eliminate potential water supply issues, shoreline erosion and local street flooding in Queens and the Bowery Bay area. 

Learn more about the ICE® I-12V2. 

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   

MC 22A Rescues Weak Dam 

Editor: Debbie Reaney 

The number of deficient and potentially dangerous dams in America is on the rise. Lower design criteria of older dams, long-deferred maintenance, and increased rainfall brought on by climate change pose a threat to human life if a dam were to breach from too much stress on its structure. Over in Happy Valley, PA, home to the Penn State Nittany Lions, the Rockview Reservoir dam is one of the most high-hazard dams in Centre County. Thankfully, Pittsburgh-based leader in geotechnical construction, Nicholson Construction, has stepped up to the plate to help keep this concrete dam standing strong. 

The modification project of the Rockview Reservoir dam involves concrete surface repair on the upstream and downstream sides and the spillway. Recently, Nicholson's crew has been working on the downstream side, drilling tieback anchors with the highly adaptable Comacchio MC 22A Drill Rig to reinforce the structure and increase its safety factor for times of high-water levels in the reservoir. Nicholson has always admired the accuracy that the MC 22A maintains when they articulate the mast to the drill body to the ideal degree, while simultaneously being able to keep the batter at its own perfect angle. Other improvements on the job include removal of accumulated sediment in pool areas, replacement of outlet valves and trash racks, and rehabilitation of the valve house. Outlet valves allow dams to operate methodically by releasing water at specific rates and times to avoid disturbing fish and habitats. Trash racks, typically made of wood or metal, are designed to shield collected stormwater from submerged and floating debris that could enter the spillways.

Now that the Rockview Reservoir dam is getting upgraded features, it can safely collect and store more water and continue to supply for household consumption, irrigation, agriculture, and industrial use without fear of failure. International Construction Equipment, Inc (ICE®) is a proud distributor of Comacchio drilling solutions that help contractors like Nicholson Construction meet their project goals and protect the nation's water supply infrastructure. Way to go, Nicholson! This job was a home run!

Learn more about the Comacchio MC 22A and other fully articulated multipurpose rigs of the Comacchio fleet.

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