What prompted the need for the service? Lock 10 of the Erie Canal System on the Mohawk River near Amsterdam, New York, sustained heavy damage as did the surrounding riverbanks due to hurricane Irene.

Who were the companies involved? The DDS Companies’ Utility Division, and National Grid

• Client
  • National Grid
• GC
  • DDS Companies

What were specs of the job? We bored over 1200 linear-feet for a new 8-inch steel gas main, 500 feet of which we installed under the Mohawk River. We also installed a 700 linear-foot section of 6-inch steel gas main under a busy section of railroad tracks which run along the north side of the river.

What challenges/obstacles overcame? Bitter cold winter with limited daylight hours forcing shorter work days. Plotting and steering of the drill bits needed to be accomplished manually due to electromagnetic fields emitted from nearby high-voltage power lines which interfered with our wireline guidance system. The challenging ground conditions of glacial till mixed with boulders in addition to protocols for working in protected wetland areas were further complicated by a deep ground freeze and heavy ice. The sub- zero temperatures also mandated that advanced mitigation measures be employed to ensure against freezing of the slurry and fluids involved in the drilling process.

What was the ending outcome? replaced two gas mains that were damaged at a bend in the river just above Lock 10 where hurricane swollen waters and undercurrent had eaten away the river banking. added to the company’s growing list of major river crossings.