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The Fox Street combined sewer, carrying both wastewater
and stormwater flows, was originally built in 1910. Ninety years later, the
72-inch diameter sewer was carrying over 50% of the City of LaPorte's wastewater
south to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The sewer was believed to be in very
poor condition based on experience with multiple cave-ins. Remote TV inspection
confirmed extensive sewer deterioration threatening complete failure which
prompted the City's decision to replace one mile of sewer with new reinforced
concrete pipe (RCP).
Several challenges added complexity to the project. The original sewer route
deviated from the right-of-way, traversing underneath two commercial greenhouse
buildings. To keep disruption to greenhouse operations to a minimum, the new
78-inch sewer would need to follow a new path within the right-of-way, where
other utilities were already located. The RCP sewer was constructed using an
open cut trench and at the north end of the project this trench was over 30 feet
deep. This required a wide trench and replacement of more than 2,000 feet of
incidental water main. All project construction was achieved with minimum
disruption to residents and local businesses.
There was considerable public interest in the job due to the shear size of the
construction equipment and RCP sewer pipe (each eight foot long section weighed
over eight tons). Site visitors included newspaper photographers, a local school
class and City Officials.
NIES Engineering helped to secure State Revolving Fund financing for the project
by completing Program Application and a Preliminary Engineering Study. We
provided assistance in every phase of the project including field surveying,
preparation of plans and specifications, reviewing bids, contractor selection
and on-site construction inspection. We completed all phases of the project on
time and within budget. The City of LaPorte has now significantly improved the
reliability and capacity of a major section of the combined sewer system.
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