Case Studies

Olmsted Lock and Dam LBA Installation

Due to our impressive reputation in dewatering, AECOM (WGA) contacted Mersino requesting our presence at the pre-bid meeting for a project in Olmsted, Illinois. This project was going to require unique installation techniques to administer proper dewatering. We were chosen for the job because our bid and technical submission was the only complete bid that indicated the RFQ was fully understood. Olmsted Dam replaced two of the original locks and dams that were completed in 1929, and it was the last dam in a system to provide a year-round channel for navigation from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Cairo, Illinois. The dam was built in an “in-the-wet” method to minimize impact to river traffic and the environment.

Methodology
The project was located on the Ohio River between Kentucky and Illinois. All system installations were done with flat deck barges, crane barges, and man-lift barges. The installation of the deep wells was experimental and specifically designed to be able to work off barges. Mersino used a vibratory hammer to install a 14″ x 80′ long steel caisson. Once installed, the 14″ caisson was water jetted out, using a 6″ x 80′ long jet tool powered by a Global 8GSH jet pump. When the caisson was out, a 12″ x 80′ long well casing was installed. The coarse nature of the native soils allowed us to utilize a natural collapse method during well installation. The use of vibratory equipment and jetting methods, combined with working off of barges, made this project unique and challenging. Three 50hp Mody submersibles, ten 20hp Prosser submersibles, two 10hp Prosser submersibles and three 5hp Prosser submersibles were used for this project, installed within the new lock construction within the river itself.

Utilizing heavy equipment on float barges was challenging, but Mersino overcame these obstacles and completed the project on budget.

Challenges
The project was slightly delayed due to the location of the install on the river. Utilizing heavy equipment on float barges was challenging, but Mersino overcame these obstacles and completed the project on budget. Project Contact:
Wade Miller, Project Manager
AECOM
270-559-3776 Project Value:
$2.6 Million