Catch basin risers used on interstate highway
Problem: In the section being resurfaced on Wisconsin’s I-39 highway, about 100 catch basins laid atypically close to a concrete barrier wall. “In places, the barrier wall was actually over the basins,” says Curt Neuhauser, project manager for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. “This initially seemed like it might cause a lot of unexpected work and expense. Fortunately, the contractor floated an option that sounded like it would work.”
Solution: Catch basin risers from American Highway Products had been used to raise inlets without removing any surrounding asphalt. “I’ve used them before, and have found them quick and easy to install,” says Sam Bilhorn, project manager for Payne & Dolan. “I felt they could be used here, and we could avoid removing or undermining the wall. And it wasn’t even a change order — the point was, we were able to avoid a change order. And WISDOT agreed they were worth a try.” The risers are precisely sized as needed for given situations; width, depth and height are customized for particular jobs. The company can provide multiple sizes per order and keep them organized by size when shipping.
Result: Approximately 100 catch basin risers were used on the I-39 project. For his part, Neuhauser is optimistic, and the risers will be used on upcoming projects. “All we had to do was remove the grate and install the risers,” he says. “We didn’t have to remove the barrier wall, and we didn’t even have to dig out any roadway. The proof is in the pudding, of course, but we like how they worked on this project, and we’ll be using them again.”
888-272-2397; www.ahp1.com
Utility uses trenchless technology to rehabilitate deteriorated stormwater drainage culvert
Problem: In July 2023, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation was faced with rehabilitating degraded 50-plus-year-old twin 42-inch CSP stormwater drainage culverts under Highway 402, west of London. Due to constant cross-border traffic between Michigan and Ontario, the highway could not be closed for repairs. These culverts drained into the nearby creek, which required an environmentally friendly solution without use of chemicals. Lastly, these culverts were 400 feet in length, posing a challenge to install quickly and minimize traffic disruption.
Solution: After evaluating bids and previous successful use of PVC fold and form up to 36 inches across Ontario, the MTO awarded the work to CMS, a licensed installer of the Thermoform PVC liner from Warrior Trenchless Solutions. Due to the unprecedented size, length and weight of this liner (42 inches by 410 feet and 13,000 pounds), equipment upgrades were performed over the course of the winter/spring. The liner was successfully installed in one of the culverts over two days in July 2024, allowing for cleaning and preparation Day 1 and lining the pipe Day 2.
Result: The MTO has a fully rehabilitated culvert with a new structural liner, extending the life of the pipe by 50 years while also improving hydraulic capacity. This was accomplished with no road closures and minimal traffic disruption, with a technology that discharges only water in the process of installation. The MTO is now extending use of this technology up to 48-inch pipes and longer lengths, for applications that had been out of reach previously.
716-601-7760; www.thermoformliner.com
