United States
Distribution Engineering and Field Inspection Solutions
Challenge
This manhole project was located in a large metropolitan area in the Northeast region of the United States. It is a key power transit point, encompassing five critical circuits for federal and state government buildings, as well as multiple commercial buildings.
Deteriorating structural conditions, non-standard cable configuration and general inaccessibility compromised the critical circuits and hindered required maintenance, prompting the utility to contact TRC to investigate and develop a distribution design to rebuild the manhole structure and reconfigure and rack all cables while avoiding outages to the associated customers.
Related Services
Solution
TRC led the coordination, fielding and distribution design to install a new system of manholes and conduits, providing alternate pathways for all related circuits. TRC worked with the client to address their needs and find the optimal solution. Our team leveraged its extensive underground design expertise to inspect and assess the surrounding manholes to determine the optimal solution to improve reliability.
It was integral that the new design considered the utility’s future infrastructure demands because the manholes’ location within a critical traffic corridor. If the manhole were to collapse, the electrical circuits in the surrounding area would be affected and the cable pathways would have to be restored in addition to a lengthy rebuilding of the manhole.
Given the complex access issues and existing utility conflicts, we employed specialty subcontractors to complete a DOT level B survey, test pitting and site-specific traffic control plans. The design included 3 new and 5 existing manholes in the surrounding area to ensure the critical circuits configuration were brought up to standards while also allowing for future development. In addition, we delivered a construction and cutover sequence to avoid any outages to the critical circuits.
Results
TRC provided inspection data, including 360˚ imagery, plan and profile civil drawings, electrical distribution design, material lists, construction phasing schedule and public space permitting for the proposed re-structure of the manhole network. The completed design considered the existing and future demands of the utility by adding in alternate routes and switching capabilities to allow switching to different feeds to improve reliability.
Sharing Our Perspectives
Our practitioners share their insights and perspectives on the trends and challenges shaping the market.
Joint Use: Best Practices for Project Success
July 15, 2024
Joint use has never been as important as it is today. With demand for telecommunications infrastructure skyrocketing, governments are investing big in initiatives like the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity Access Deployment Program (BEAD) and the $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF).
NERC Proposes Changes to Registration Criteria for Inverter Based Resources (IBRs)
April 19, 2024
NERC has submitted for FERC approval new compliance criteria for the registration of IBRs as part of continuing efforts to address reliability risks. It is critical for renewable energy developers, generation owners and transmission owners to understand the potential implications for interconnection studies and interconnection queues.
Planning for Success in Rural Telecommunication Broadband Projects
January 3, 2024
Avoid common pitfalls by following these five best practices
TRC Expands Presence in Power Market with Acquisition of Ohio-based IJUS
October 1, 2018
LOWELL, Mass. – TRC, a leading provider of end-to-end engineering, consulting and construction management solutions fueled by innovative technology, announced today it has acquired IJUS, a top power/utility engineering firm based in Gahanna, Ohio. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Modernize Your Field Services with GIS and Work Order Management Combined
June 15, 2023
The role of field service management continues to dominate the world economy, as the market grows at an exponential rate. The market was estimated at 3.2 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach 5.7 billion by the end of 2026.
2020 New Year’s Safety Resolution? How About Construction Safety?
February 20, 2020
Safety isn’t all about tracking statistics. To make it work, you need to interact positively with people. TRC construction health and safety specialist Cody Gladstone explains how to gain credibility on the jobsite and get everyone home safe at the end of the day.
Targeting Perfection in the Construction and Operation of Pipelines
October 18, 2019
To have an impact on the delivery or operation of a pipeline, it’s vital to eliminate the intra- and inter-company barriers, including those in the areas of communications, culture and technology.
TRC Chosen to Provide Array of Integrated Services on Midship Pipeline Project
August 28, 2018
TRC has been awarded contracts for environmental consulting, engineering and field services and another for stem-to-stern Engineer, Procure and Construct (EPC) contract for three compressor stations.
Featured Facility: TRC Testing and Training Lab
September 16, 2016
Hands-on testing and commissioning of substations in the real world can be daunting and dangerous without the proper training. So, TRC’s Testing and Commissioning group is building a training lab in its Lancaster, Pennsylvania, office. The lab will mimic an actual utility substation environment with control house and yard equipment.