A new bridge between Hampton Beach & Seabrook in NH is being built by Massachusetts contractor, SPS New England Inc. (SPS NE). The $107.5 million project involves replacing the Neil R. Underwood Memorial Bridge, which spans the Hampton River and is being built to the west of the existing bridge. Once opened, it will feature two 11-foot travel lanes, two 6-foot sidewalks, and two 8-foot shoulders to improve traffic flow and accommodate emergency vehicles more efficiently.  

SPS New England, Inc. (SPS NE) is a prominent construction company specializing in bridge, highway, transit, and marine construction. This employee-owned company, founded in 1984, is known for its expertise in Design-Build projects, having pioneered the first heavy-lift bridge construction project in Massachusetts. They have completed numerous accelerated projects and have incorporated award-winning Alternative Technical Concepts to enhance project design and value. SPS NE's dedication to innovation, safety, and quality has earned them a solid reputation in the industry. 

The existing Neil R. Underwood Memorial Bridge, built in 1949, is in poor condition and has been on New Hampshire's "red list" of deficient bridges since 1999. It is considered functionally obsolete, meaning it is insufficient for the 18,000 vehicles that travel over it daily during peak season. Over the years the bridge has undergone multiple rehabilitations, including a deck replacement in 2010 and emergency repairs to its lift mechanism in 2018. Despite its poor condition, the bridge is still safe for use, but it requires significant attention and maintenance. The new bridge project aims to address these issues by providing a more modern and efficient structure and is expected to be fully completed by June 2028, with traffic flowing by September 2026. 

The bridge will feature steel components for its superstructure, providing strength and durability; precast concrete forms will be used for the footings of the piers, ensuring a solid foundation; drilled shaft foundations will be installed for the piers for stability and support, and temporary cofferdams will be used during the construction of the pier footings. These materials have been chosen for their durability and ability to endure the environmental conditions of the area. 

For the pile driving portion of the replacement, SPS NE will be installing 24"(In) pipe foundations to support the new bridge structure using two newly purchased ICE® 50B Vibratory Driver/Extractor packages until they reached vibratory refusal. A new ICE® I-46 Diesel Impact Hammer in ICE ® Leads paired with a Final Tier 4 ICE® Model 55T Power Unit were then used to drive the piles further to final capacity. SPS is also taking special measures, such as using temporary pipe piles to support a trestle, driving sheet piling in the abutments, and utilizing an ICE® 90-degree Clamp Turning Plate in some tight spots. Another added benefit of temporary pipe piles is that they can often be extracted and reused for other projects, making them a cost-effective solution as well. 

While visiting this site, International Construction Equipment, Inc. (ICE®) personnel commented on how SPS NE crew's attention to detail and safety on this project was exceptional. Way to go, SPS New England Inc.! The replacement of the Neil R. Underwood Memorial Bridge will offer several significant benefits to the area including improved traffic flow, enhanced safety, reduced maintenance costs, and various economic benefits to the local community all while minimizing its environmental footprint, ensuring a more sustainable infrastructure solution. These improvements will collectively contribute to a more reliable and efficient transportation network in the area that all residents and travelers of NH will appreciate. 

Learn more about the ICE® 50B  and our array of ICE® Clamping Systems 

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   

A Texas based special trade contractor who specializes in providing rail construction and maintenance services has been involved in the Loop 1604 North Expansion Project in San Antonio. This project, led by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), aims to expand and improve a 23-mile stretch of Loop 1604 to reduce congestion and enhance mobility. The contractor has most recently been working on a segment between Highway 281 and Redland Road to continue to ease congestion for San Antonio drivers with the Loop 1604 North Expansion project in North Bexar County. The project includes $1.4 billion (about $4 per person in the US) for transportation improvements to Loop 1604, which is the outer highway loop encircling San Antonio, Texas, spanning approximately 95.6 miles (153.9 km). 

In the next few years, TxDOT plans to widen Loop 1604 from four lanes to ten between SH 16 (Bandera Road) near Helotes and I-35 in Universal City. The expansion will add two travel lanes and one HOV lane in each direction. Additionally, the project will replace the cloverleaf interchange at I-10 with a five-level stack interchange, reconfigure the layout of exit and entrance ramps, along with other improvements. Segment 1 (SH 16 to I-10) officially broke ground on July 26, 2021, and is expected to be completed by mid 2024; segment 2, the reconstruction of the I-10 interchanges, construction started in July 2022 and is expected to be completed in mid 2027. Construction of segment 3, from I-10 to US 281, started in November 2021 and is expected to be completed in mid 2025; segments 4 and 5 are currently unfunded.   

Originally constructed as a two-lane highway, the northern segment of the route, from US 90 in western San Antonio to Kitty Hawk Road in northeastern Bexar County, has been upgraded to a four-lane freeway. Over 150,000 drivers travel along 1604 every single day, and that number is going to keep growing. In fact, by 2045, the number of drivers on Loop 1604 is projected to double. This is why the Loop 1604 North Expansion Project is a critical project. It's designed to meet the traffic demand along the corridor now and in the future. 

This extensive project, which began in November 2021 is more than 50% complete, and the first flyover ramp at the new I-10/Loop 1604 interchange is expected to open by the end of 2024. The contractor currently involved in this portion of the Loop 1604 North Expansion project is specifically focusing on the rail infrastructure components. Their work includes upgrading existing rail crossings to enhance safety and efficiency, constructing new rail bridges where the expanded Loop 1604 intersects with rail lines, and implementing advanced signaling systems to improve rail traffic management. These improvements are crucial for ensuring that the expanded highway and rail systems operate smoothly together, minimizing disruptions and enhancing overall transportation safety.  

To complete these tasks quickly and efficiently, the contractor wisely chose to utilize an ICE® I-30V2 Diesel Impact Hammer for the pile portion of this project. This powerful piece of equipment is designed to deliver high impact energy, making it suitable for driving large piles into the ground with minimum effort. The pile portion of the Loop 1604 North Expansion Project involves the installation of deep foundations to support various structures, such as bridges and overpasses using multiple different types of piles, including driven piles and drilled shafts, depending on the soil conditions and load requirements. The piles provide a stable foundation for the elevated sections of the highway, ensuring that the structures can support the weight of traffic and withstand environmental factors and are crucial for the stability and longevity of the new infrastructure being added to Loop 1604. 

These improvements are designed to significantly reduce travel times, increase capacity, and enhance overall safety on one of the most congested corridors in Texas. ICE® is proud to be the driving force for this progressive project that will allow Texans to travel through the area more safely and take advantage of the innovations of their new railway system.  

Learn more about the ICE® I-30V2 

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 World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, has been expanding its facilities, including the construction of a new parking lot over a retention pond. This innovative design was created to help manage stormwater runoff effectively and will help to ensure that the area remains functional and environmentally friendly. Once completed, the pond below will capture and filter stormwater, reducing the risk of flooding and improving water quality. This approach is part of a broader trend in sustainable development, where infrastructure is designed to work harmoniously with natural water management systems. 

In early 2024, R.W. Harris, Inc., who specialize in design-build engineering and construction, was selected as the general contractor for this project. Creating a parking lot over a retention pond using large caissons and a vibratory hammer is a complex engineering task that involves several key steps including geotechnical surveying and detailed design. Once this important step was completed, the R.W. Harris team then placed the 36"x70' caissons driven with an ICE® 44B Vibratory Hammer rented from International Construction Equipment, Inc (ICE®). Selected for its reliability and power, the ICE® 44B has the highest frequency and driving force in its class and easily drove the caissons to grade creating the deep foundations required to support the parking lot and drainage system underneath. This was crucial to prevent water from accumulating on the parking lot surface and to ensure proper water flow into the retention pond, allowing for the efficient use of space while maintaining the retention pond's functionality.  

Named one of TIME's 2024 World's Greatest Places, the World Equestrian Center (WEC) features two premier equestrian and multidisciplinary event venues located in Ocala, Florida and Wilmington, Ohio. The WEC is currently the largest equine facility in the U.S., spanning 378 acres (about half the area of Central Park in New York City), hosting a variety of equestrian disciplines, including hunt and jump, dressage, and breed shows. With its extensive facilities and events, it attracts athletes and visitors from around the world, enhancing the global equestrian community and has transformed the city of Ocala into a premier equestrian hub, significantly impacting the local economy. 

The WEC is not just an equestrian center though; it is also a comprehensive destination that combines sport, hospitality, and community, making it a pivotal establishment in the world of equestrian sports. To ensure its premier standing a series of expansions and improvements to accommodate the growing number of visitors and participants is underway, including this recent parking lot construction.  

While the expansion addresses the demand for more parking spaces, reflecting the center's commitment to providing a seamless experience for its guests, it also underscores the center's popularity and its role as a premier destination for equestrian sports, necessitating infrastructure that supports its status and meets the expectations of its international clientele. Congratulations to the entire R.W. Harris team on a job well done. International Construction Equipment is proud to provide the dependable equipment you can rely on for all your deep foundation needs.  

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    

Phase II of the Port Monmouth Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project in Middletown Township, New Jersey is currently underway. The work being done includes 1,521 linear feet of floodwall, 1,040 linear feet of levee, and 119,300 linear feet of steel H-piles. The project protects low-lying residential and commercial structures, built on and near salt and freshwater marshes experiencing flooding caused by coastal storm inundation. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy destroyed the New Jersey coast and became the costliest natural disaster in the history of the state with economic losses to businesses of up to $30 billion (about $92 per person in the US).  

Anselmi & DeCicco Inc (A&D), with over six decades of experience in constructing infrastructures, have been awarded the job for this hurricane protection project. They are driving 70' long permanent sheeting to raise a roadway and building a seawall around the Port Monmouth NJ area. Anselmi & DeCicco have selected to partner with International Construction Equipment, Inc. (ICE®) utilizing a rented ICE® 44B Vibratory Hammer along with an ICE® 22RF (Resonance Free) Vibratory Driver/Extractor to drive the sheet piles require for the new seawall. Due to the surrounding buildings and other infrastructure a gentler touch was required in some areas. After some discussion, the ICE® Sales and Service team and experts at A&D determined that the ICE® 22RF would be perfect since it has infinitely adjustable amplitude and reduces the impact of the vibrations to the nearby properties. One of the biggest advantages of a variable moment vibratory hammer is the operator's ability to control the eccentric moment from zero to max, and anywhere in between. This ability to feather the control allows the operator to adjust the eccentric moment without generating excessive or unwanted vibrations. For example, as the operator is increasing the moment from zero to max and realizes that the pile has started to move, he would stop there without further increase.  

Once completed, the State of New Jersey will be better prepared if a similar storm such as Hurricane Sandy comes around again. This plan of action protects the low-lying residential and commercial structures, built on and near salt and freshwater marshes experiencing flooding caused by coastal storm inundations. Anselmi & DeCicco Inc have done a fantastic job making sure that the job is done the right way to ensure the safety of New Jersey residents for future tropical storms. International Construction Equipment (ICE®) is thrilled to be able to support A&D on this state project that will protect commercial and private property along with citizens in the coastal New Jersey area. Bravo Anselmi & DeCicco Inc! ICE® proudly offers a full line of Variable Moment Vibratory Hammers to complement your next job. Reach out to your ICE® Sales & Service Team for more information. 

Learn more about the ICE® 44B & the ICE® Variable Moment Line

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