Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating (PASER) - Town of Dyer, IN

The Town of Dyer, Indiana, Town Council was interested in obtaining an objective comprehensive assessment of all roadways within the town for improvements.

The PASER (Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating) System was chosen as the framework of the analysis. The PASER System is an objective methodology to inventory and evaluate surface conditions of roadways to aide local officials with the prioritization, treatment, repair and reconstruction of the roads. The evaluation process rates roadways on 1 to 10 scale, 1 indicating a failed roadway and 10 representing excellent roadway conditions.

The assessment takes into account types of cracking, rutting, wear, polishing, patches and potholes present on the road surface. All of Dyer's approximately 65 lane miles of roadway were visually surveyed. Scaled color coded maps depicting surface conditions were included in the PASER Report. Appropriate repairs for the rated conditions were made as part of the report. Digital copies of the maps used in the report were delivered to the GIS Department for their use.

The Town now enjoys the advantage of a structured system of roadway evaluation and repair prioritization that allows them to maximize the benefit of available funding.

Key Points

• Objective Analysis
• Maximization of Funding Benefits
• Documented Progress

Local Street Reconstruction and Resurfacing - 2012 Various Streets Town of Dyer, IN

NIES Engineering was selected as Project Engineer for the Design and Construction of the 2012 Dyer Street Reconstruction and Resurfacing Project. The project consisting of new curbs, sidewalks, driveways, aprons, parkway trees, storm sewers, water main replacement, sanitary sewer repairs and full depth asphalt pavement replacement.

This project was part of over Four Million Dollars worth of reconstruction and was a part of the Town's bond financed and coordinated Utility and Roadway Improvement plan. Roadways selected for resurfacing and new water main installation included Dogwood Drive, Red Oak Drive, Aspen Drive, and a portion of Sycamore Drive, providing residents with a smooth driving surface, effective storm water drainage and efficient water main infrastructure. Full reconstruction roadways consisted of Cottonwood Drive and Cherry Hill Road.

New storm sewers were installed along these roadways aiding in efficient storm drainage. Sanitary sewer repairs eliminated vegetative root infiltration on the sanitary infrastructure. New water main was also installed along these two roadways eliminating the failing water system which burdened residents and the town with water main breaks.

Upon completion of the design, NIES assisted in the bidding and awarding of the contract; and closely working with the Town of Dyer, aided in the overseeing of the construction onsite. The residents of the Town of Dyer can now enjoy a much improved driving surface, effective drainage and reliable water main infrastructure.

Key Points

• Cost Effective
• Rehabilitation
• Extended Life

Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades - Town of Dyer, Indiana

The Dyer Wastewater Treatment Plant required improvements to the coarse and fine screen equipment at the 2.6 million gallons per day (MGD) treatment plant.

NIES designed OSHA compliant improvements to the coarse screening maintenance cleaning operation, including new grating systems, and reworked coarse screen lifting system and handrails. Improvements will make the coarse screening maintenance operation cleaner and more efficient while enhancing overall safety. The 5 MGD static fine screens will be fitted with covers and a ventilation system for improved control of wastewater overspray and reduction of aerosols. The screenings washer compactor will be replaced with a unit of similar solids handling capacity but improved overflow and drain capacity to reduce frequent spills. Other improvements in the Grit and Screening Building include piping bolt replacements with stainless steel bolts, installation of a trench drain system, improvements to grit decanting containers to enhance drainage and reduce spills, and painting of piping, floors, walls, ceiling trusses and ceiling.

Key Points

• OSHA Compliance
• Increased Capacity
• Efficiency

Wastewater Treatment Plant Modifications, Dry Pit Pump Hoist - Town of Dyer, IN (2011)

It used to take three men, 30 minutes to pull a pump motor, and it now takes just one man, 10 minutes with a significant improvement in operator safety. Sometimes even small projects can be very rewarding once completed. This was certainly the case on a project for the Town of Dyer at their Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The existing, dry pit influent pumps for the plant were located in a pit, about 20 feet below the basement floor level inside the Treatment Building. There was an existing hoist system for lifting pump components for maintenance and repair operations, but the centerline of the crane rail beam was offset about five feet from the centerline of the three pumps. Directly over the centerline of the pumps were the stairs down to the basement floor level, which had originally dictated the offset of the crane rail. When pump motors were pulled for maintenance, they could only be pulled at a lift angle, instead of a direct vertical lift, making lifting operations difficult and potentially unsafe.

NIES Engineering, Inc. was asked to come up with an alternative lifting solution to improve lifting operations and safety for Plant Operators. The solution was to install a wall cantilever jib crane, with a 2 Ton electric operated hoist and hand geared trolley, inside the 20 feet deep influent pump pit at a construction cost of $44,500. The jib crane can swivel, in a 180-degree arc, to make a vertical lift on any of the three pumps and then set the pump down to allow a vertical lift up to the basement floor level by the existing hoist system. For most routine maintenance operations, making the second lift up to the basement floor level is not required. The project also installed floor grating systems down at the pump level to improve operator access around the pumps.

According to Plant Superintendent, Jeff Dzurovcak, "the lifting system and grating improvements have dramatically improved pump maintenance operations. It used to take three men, 30 minutes to pull a pump motor and it now takes one man, 10 minutes with a significant improvement in Operator safety." Very rewarding indeed.

Key Points

• Improved Safety
• Cost Effective
• Rehabilitation
• Increased Efficiency