Taunton River Gas Distribution Main Replacement
CHA performed engineering and permitting services to replace two natural gas distribution mains that run along the bottom of the Taunton River between Fall River and Somerset, Massachusetts, with one 12-inch steel pipe. The existing mains were nearing the end of their service life. Due to the river’s sensitive environmental resources, horizontal direction drilling (HDD) under the river was selected to install the new pipe to limit environmental impacts. The 1,900-foot HDD alignment also considered the surrounding community and included limited workspace for construction to reduce nearby businesses and traffic impacts. CHA also designed and permitted the abandonment and removal of the existing pipes from the river bottom upon commissioning the new pipe and construction administration support.
Project Services:
- Topographic, geophysical, and hydrographic surveys
- Environmental assessments (wetlands and habitat)
- Diver observation of existing pipe conditions
- Geotechnical investigation and laboratory testing
- HDD alignment and route assessment, including stress analysis
- Construction and permit drawings
- Permitting
- Local permit assistance - (Somerset, MA)
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Chapter 91 Waterways Program
- Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA)
- Environmental Notification Form (ENF)
- Massachusetts DEP Section 401 Water Quality Certification
- USACE Regulatory Division Section 10/404
- Massachusetts DEP - Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) Notices of Intent (Somerset and Fall River, MA)
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Navigation Program Section 408
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
- Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Permit to Access State Highway
- Construction Administration
- Preparation of bid documents
- Coordination of pre-bid meeting
- Issuance of addendum
- Evaluation of bids received
- Periodic construction observation