Location:
Oregon
Products:
HDPE
Summary:
This unique bridge project called for a $20 million paint restoration of the mile-long historic McCullough bridge located in Oregon. The operation of the bridge was to continue normally during the rehabilitation and protecting the aquatic life in the bay below was critically important. Foreign byproducts created by the sandblasting efforts- that included paint chips, metal particles and sand- would have damaging effects to the surrounding ecosystem if uncaptured.
The requirement was to ultimately deliver a refurbished bridge while maintaining Coos Bay’s history as a biologically productive multiple-use estuary. Considering these aspects, a unique waste recovery system was created to support the sandblasting process.
It comprised of a multi-barrel suction duct utilizing our StormTite® 18” bell & spigot corrugated pipe and fittings. When fully assembled, this HDPE pipe solution would effectively become a vacuum conduit to transport captured construction debris from the tented sandblasting zone of the project and deliver it, with the assistance of 75,000 CFM pumps, to a waste accumulation receptacle near the foot of the bridge. This allowed for waste disposal with minimal environmental impact.
The conveyance system helped preserve an ecologically sensitive area while also conserving natural resources, since the pipe was made with recycled resins.
