2024 Texas & Louisiana Best Projects
Award of Merit, Water/Environment — Alliance Regional Water Authority Treated Pipeline
Photo courtesy Garney Construction
ALLIANCE REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY PHASE 1B TREATED PIPELINE (SEGMENTS A & B)
Lockhart, Texas
Award of Merit
Submitted by: Garney Construction
OWNER Alliance Regional Water Authority
LEAD DESIGN FIRMS Lockwood, Andrews & Newman Inc. (Segment A); K. Friese & Associates Inc. (Segment B)
GENERAL CONTRACTOR Garney Construction
OWNER ADVISOR Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc.
SUBCONTRACTORS Precision Boring Technology Inc.; J7 Services; Texcon Utilities; Chapman Engineering
This $92-million effort included the installation of multiple pipeline segments on a large water supply project for the Alliance Regional Water Authority in Central Texas.
With Segments A and B complete and three more under construction, this system will supply treated water to growing communities including Kyle, Buda and San Marcos upon completion. Segment A will transport water from the ARWA water treatment plant to Lockhart with nearly 17 miles of 42-in. and 48-in. cross-country pipeline and connect to Segment B, which spans another 17.4 miles. The project also includes 30 miles of fiber optic installation.
On Section A’s Plum Creek crossing, crews discovered groundwater and rocky conditions when digging the shaft for the microtunnel. As a solution, the team worked with landowners to extend a temporary easement that allowed them to successfully dig in better soil conditions before coordinating with the owner and engineer to adjust the tunnel alignment into more favorable ground conditions.
Installing a 775-linear-ft tunnel under SH 130 on Segment B required nonstop installation and a 24/7 operation to avoid settling. Crews used a labor-intensive hand-mining approach to create space for the tunnel under the toll road. Rain and fire interrupted the process, with wet soil causing problems with deliveries and a nearby brush fire damaging some pipes. To prevent delay, the team shifted to a similar pipe from another project area to continue with the installation.
