Buckeye Creek Crossing

City of Kansas City, MO – 3,825 LF of 36-inch HDPE Intersect

Buckeye Creek in Kansas City, MO, featuring tree-lined banks and a visible waterway, illustrating the site of the ECI Contracting project for a new force main installation.

Project Details

  • 3,825 LF
  • $2.5MM
  • Intersect Install
  • Gyroscopic Steering

Spring of 2021, ECI Contracting partnered up on a project crossing the Buckeye Creek in Kansas City, MO. ECI was tasked with the installation of 3,825 feet of 36-inch HDPE for a new force main for the city of Kansas City. Due to large diameter and length, ECI utilized the intersect method of installation.

ECI Scope

ECI partnered with Pyramid Construction to install the new Forcemain for the City. With the complexity of the install, ECI chose a few methods to increase project success.

Technical Solution

Working with the General Contractor, we did a project risk review. Noting the formational changes between the soils, shale and limestone bedrocks, ECI Contracting acknowledged we needed to make the following decisions:

  • Utilized gyroscopic steering system for increase accuracy in layered rock formations
  • Deployed two crews for intersect installation
  • Implemented specialized drilling mud program for transitioning geologies.
  • 54-inch Casing installation to support circulation during HDD Operations
  • Hired security to ensure safety of the public due to in-town project

Project Execution

Once Mobilized, ECI Contracting pushed forward on the project plan. Gyroscopic steering was a critical use item for the installation over large body of waters. Utilizing the accuracy during the installation improves the time to intersect, which has added importance in rock situations.

The 54-in conductor casing was installed due to fractured formations at the beginning of the HDD. Transitioning from jettable soils to rock can be challenging, adding fractured rock and cobbles creates a more complex challenge. After installing the 54-in conductor casing, ECI utilized 16-in centralizer casing for the pilot process of the HDD.

The Intersect installation method was chose to increase the torque of the drilling tool against the rock formation. ECI recognized this as a benefit due to the layered limestone, which can cause difficulties facing the tool against the geology. Bringing in a secondary machine with additional mud system allows additional pulling capability to maximize cutting time, and tool life production. Allowing circulation of soil cuttings to both the entry and exit pit locations allows for more efficient mud cleaning and minimizing project down time.

HDD installation process at Buckeye Creek Crossing, featuring a 54-inch conductor casing with drilling mud circulating from the borehole into the excavation site.
Construction site with ECI Contracting team members in safety gear, excavator in background, and drilling equipment in foreground, showcasing horizontal directional drilling operations for Buckeye Creek Crossing project.

Result

The project was completed in approximately three months. After a successful intersect, the ECI team finished the excavation with 24, 36, and 48-inch diameter ream passes. Preparing for extended pullback operations, ECI started in the morning and continued pulling until the pipe was installed.

Relevance

Large diameter HDPE can come with its own challenges. Working with an HDD contractor with experience is a crucial part of any project. ECI Contracting brings the experience to the project to ensure a successful project. With over 100 Large Diameter HDPE installations, ECI brings turn-key convenience and peace of mind.