FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 5, 2011
CONTACT: Laura Bynum
APWA Media Relations/Communications Manager
(202) 218-6736
lbynum@apwa.net
Sudbury South End Sewer Tunnel System Project Honored
With APWA Public Works Project of the Year
KANSAS CITY, MO. – The Sudbury South End Sewer Tunnel System Project of Sudbury, Ontario’s “South End,” was recently named a Public Works Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA). The City of Greater Sudbury, Ontario, which is the project’s managing agency, along with primary contractor McNally Construction Inc., as well as the primary consultant, R.V. Anderson Associates Limited, will all be presented with the award during APWA’s 2011 International Public Works Congress & Exposition in Denver, Colorado from September 18-20, 2011.
The APWA Public Works Projects of the Year awards are presented annually to promote excellence in the management and administration of public works projects, recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, contractor, consultant and their cooperative achievements. This year, APWA selected projects in five categories: Disaster/Emergency Construction, Environment, Historical Restoration, Structures, and Transportation.
Awarded in the 2011 APWA Projects of the Year - Environment category at a cost between $25 million - $75 million, the Sudbury South End Sewer Tunnel System addressed the problems of insufficient sewer system capacity that was compounded by significant population growth and aging pipe systems, which created a health and safety risk, as well as an environmental concern, along with sewage bypassing into local watercourses, and basement flooding during wet weather events, which were expensive for residents.
The City of Greater Sudbury worked with the consultant to plan, design and oversee the construction of a solution that would address the South End’s needs, while meeting future requirements. The result was a $31 million, 1500 mm by 2100 mm diameter rock tunnel sewer system that blasted through bedrock of more than 25 to 30 m below the surface.
The final solution involved the following crucial elements:
*Cost-Savings Approach: Constructing a deep sewage rock tunnel, an old-school approach, saved the City an estimated $300,000 per year over the next 60 years, which equals over $17 million in savings.
*Increased Community Achievements: The new tunnel minimized basement flooding, which protect property. The South End could continue development, supporting the economy, and the tunnel design included innovative odour control measures.
*Minimal Environmental Impacts: Construction primarily occurred underground, not greatly affecting above-ground features. Decommissioning six lift stations helped decrease uncontrolled sewage overflows, protecting local watercourses. Not needing to line the tunnel with concrete helped to lessen the overall carbon footprint.
*Enhanced Stakeholder Consultation Program: Public Open Houses addressed public concerns, and extensive discussion with individual residents through one-on-one meetings helped to reduce concerns. Local media tours with representatives from local city office holders and media helped to maintain good relationships.
*Complex Safety Measures: Continuous construction at 25 to 30 m depths, as well as the need to excavate using drill-and-blast techniques meant high worker risks. It required complex safety measures, including carefully sequencing the connections to mitigate worker exposure to toxic environments, installing steel bulkheads to protect workers against potential flooding, and detailing specific requirements in planning, blasting patterns, and explosive storage to help minimize blast-associated risks.
*Complicated Commissioning: The tunnel was commissioned over six months and required decommissioning of six separate lift stations, so the flow could be diverted to the tunnel. Extensive planning and close coordination with City operations staff helped verify that the flow diversion wouldn’t create issues elsewhere in the wastewater system.
For more information on the APWA 2011 Projects of the Year, or to obtain a press pass for the APWA Awards Ceremony during the 2011 International Public Works Congress & Exposition September 18-21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado, please contact APWA Media Relations/Communications Manager, Laura Bynum, lbynum@apwa.net, or call 202.218.6736.
About APWA
The American Public Works Association (www.apwa.net) is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 28,500 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, has an office in Washington, D.C. and 63 chapters in North America.
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