Under the contract, Skanska and JayDee are responsible for the construction of a new 18.5-foot-diameter water-storage/conveyance tunnel, four smaller connecting tunnels, and four connections, capable of capturing eight million gallons of stormwater before it reaches the combined sewer system. As a result of the project, communities adjacent to the McMillan reservoir such as Bloomingdale and LeDroit, which were previously considered highly susceptible to flooding during powerful rainstorms, will no longer experience disruptive flood water after strong weather events.
"We are committed to making a positive impact on the Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park communities and we take our responsibility seriously to deliver the finest product possible in a safe construction environment,” commented Gary Almeraris, Project Executive, Skanska-Jay Dee. “ Skanska-Jay Dee brings together two of the country’s oldest and most experienced tunneling specialist contractors, and we understand the complexities of heavy civil work in densely populated urban areas."
Allen Y. Lew, Chairman of the DC Water Board of Directors and Co-chair of the Mayor’s Task Force, commented, "This is a significant component to the medium-term relief from flooding in these neighborhoods. We specifically went with a design-build contract to increase flexibility and to save time in order to meet our Task Force timelines."
"It is imperative that we quickly initiate the second step in our three-step infrastructure plan to mitigate localized flooding," said DC Water General Manager and task force co-chair George S. Hawkins. "I’m confident this team will get the tunnel completed on time, while at the same time minimizing the impact of the construction on the neighborhood."
Skanska will use many innovative methods to create the FST’s new and improved connections. For example, to mine tunnels and shafts in soft ground conditions near the tunnel’s surface chambers, Skanska will use Earth Pressure Balanced tunneling machines and advanced ground freezing techniques.
Skanska is committed to involving local small businesses – including certified-disadvantaged businesses – in its projects from coast to coast. In each of its markets, Skanska helps train small companies to be successful in securing work with large prime contractors, helping them grow their businesses and fueling local economies.
The project is scheduled to begin this month, and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2016.
Skanksa USA is nationally recognized for its bridge, tunneling, and water/waterwater work. For example, Skanska recently completed construction of the 11th Street Bridge’s first phase, providing direct connections between DC-295 (Anacostia Freeway) and I-695 (SE/SW Freeway). Skanska is also currently working with Facchina to complete Phase II of the 11th Street Bridge, linking communities along the 11th Street Corridor and the Anacostia River. In addition, Skanska constructed the Catskill/Delaware Ultraviolet Light Disinfection Facility and the Croton Water Filtration Plant, a project OSHA honored with Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) status for the successful safety measures Skanska implemented to complete the project. Furthermore, Skanska is leading a mass amount of work to modernize New York City’s subway systems. Notable New York subway projects include: the Second Avenue Subway, the No. 7 Line Extention, and the World Trade Center Transit Hub.