While many horizontal directional drilling (HDD) projects take place in remote locations, Michels Trenchless successfully assembled dual 915m long, 24-inch pipelines under the Willamette River in bustling downtown Portland, OR, USA.
The HDD crossings are essential elements of an initiative to replace an existing submarine multi-cable crossing with a 12-circuit, three-phase crossing in an encasement under the Willamette River to allow for the River Mile 11 Superfund Site cleanup.
In preparation for pipe pullback, Michels assembled the pipeline sections along a street near Field Park, where drilling operations were conducted. A second drill site was located across the river in an industrial area.
To minimise the impact of closed intersections and construction activities, the pipe sections were pulled into place during two separate two-day stretches of around-the-clock operations.
Image: Michels
In addition to the HDDs, Michels’ scope of work includes 1500m of open-cut electrical duct bank installation and conventional auger and bore installations along the Eastern and Western onshore alignments.
When completed, the new 11.7kV three-phase line will provide reliable power to the downtown and neighbouring areas.
Do you have news for the international trenchless industry? Contact Journalist Gerald Lynch at gerald.lynch@primecreative.com.au
