2010 Project Achievement Award Winner
New Technology, Innovation and Cost Effectiveness Recognized on UDOT SR 92 Project

Randy Wahlen, Mountain States Concrete Pipe Association
801-971-3412

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SR 92 is the main east-west corridor for the rapidly growing communities of Alpine, Highland, Cedar Hills and north eastern Lehi. Thousands of vehicles travel this east/west corridor which links to I-15, allowing for quick commutes to Salt Lake City or Provo. A 5.5-mile portion of the roadway is being reconstructed and widened in 2010 from Interstate 15 (I-15) to S.R. 74 (Alpine Highway) as an expressway to improve mobility. The design-build project includes commuter lanes to provide direct access to I-15 without signalized intersections. An expanded trail system is also included in the project. The ACPA’s Project Achievement Award was presented to the Utah Department of Transportation1 based on new technology, innovation and cost effectiveness.

New Technology
Approximately 300 feet of 72-inch Class 5 reinforced concrete pipeline2 was pipe-jacked3 under I-15. The pipe was wet cast4 with self consolidated concrete5 (SCC) for improved outer smoothness. The pipe units were produced with steel end rings to control vertical and horizontal alignment. The finished grade of the jacked pipe was constructed to within 0.02 inches of the design grade demonstrating that concrete pipe can be jacked without an exterior casing.

Innovation
The designer and contractor chose to use in-line concrete tees6 instead of manholes and cleanouts, in many circumstances. These underground junctions for 66-inch and 72-inch diameter pipe were produced by Geneva Pipe7 to save money, and provide convenient access locations for future maintenance.

Cost Effectiveness
Nearly 8 miles of 18-inch to 36-inch diameter non reinforced concrete pipe8 (NRCP) are being used on the project. UDOT specifications typically call for smooth line pipe in smaller diameters which allows contractors to select from different alternative materials9. NRCP was chosen for its cost, which was lower than the alternative materials. Since post installation testing must be considered when evaluating overall cost effectiveness, the ability for concrete pipe to meet UDOT test requirements was a major consideration in choosing concrete pipe.

The SR-92 Highway Drainage project10 is a complex design-build undertaking that requires coordination between the designer, contractor and pipe producer. The close proximity of the Geneva Pipe facility to the project facilitates production and delivery of the various pipe sizes in accordance with the contractor’s installation schedule. The total cost of the project is $148 million with completion expected in the fall, 2011.