Case Studies
Real Results. Real Impact.
Discover how Infratech® delivers safety, reliability and performance to utility customers throughout the Southeast.
OH-UG Conversion, Southwest FL
CUSTOMER: LARGE INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITY
PROJECT SUMMARY:
After repeated outages from the percussion of tropical storms an oceanside community in Siesta Key, FL decided to take matters into their own hands. With the help of their local utility, Infratech Corporation was brought in to install a new underground power system, and remove the existing, worn electrical poles and equipment. The project fell victim to some of the most difficult excavation challenges encountered when doing this type of construction. Hurricanes such as Idalia loomed, threatening progress. Large volumes of water continuously doused the jobsite over a period of months. Our staff took exceptional care communicating and informing the residents. Infratech crews remained persistent and were able to convert the system from overhead to underground on time and on budget.
THE SITUATION:
Our customers reach out to their trusted contractors for the best way to complete a project. Unfortunately for most, this oceanside community presented too many obstacles. Fortunately for us this was a chance to demonstrate our expertise. The neighborhood is a stunning 13,000’ community nestled between a freshwater lagoon and the Gulf of Mexico. The water-table is exceptionally high. The homes sit on sprawling 50,000sqft lots with immaculate landscaping. The existing overhead electrical poles are tucked away in mangrove estuaries or positioned in one of the many lush tropical gardens maintained by the residents.
End of Life Underground Primary Cable Replacement Program, Carolinas
CUSTOMER: LARGE INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITY
PROJECT SUMMARY:
End of Life Underground Primary Cable Replacement Program.
SCOPE OF WORK:
- Total Cable Installed: 1.45 million feet (270 miles) of underground primary cable in 2023
- URD Cable Replaced (Aug-Dec): Over 1 million feet
- Rock Encountered (Drillable and Solid): 296,000 feet
- 4,800 Terminal Installations: Including associated switching and riser poles
WORKFORCE:
• Initial FTEs: 96
• Peak FTEs: Over 500
• Ramp-Up Period: Three months
CHALLENGES:
• Rapid scaling of workforce to meet project demands
• Ensuring support from one call and contract locating resources amidst struggles to keep up
THE RESULT:
• Successfully completed assigned replacement work, meeting all scheduling requirements
• Provided engineering teams that designed EOL replacement
• Coordinated weekly meetings in all areas with the locating company to ensure support was meeting needs. Despite locating companie’s failure to keep up, Infratech was able to complete the work successfully.
Subaqueous Utility Crossing Beneath Boca Ciega Bay, FL
CUSTOMER: LARGE INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITY
PROJECT SUMMARY:
The subaqueous utility crossing beneath Boca Ciega Bay, Florida was in need of replacement, which would be no small task even for an
experienced company. The project was going to be loud, long and disruptive for nearby residents. But with proper planning and, most importantly, effective communication, Infratech was able to successfully complete the project with the support of the surrounding community. In addition, the completed work will sustain the community’s electrical needs for years to come.
THE SITUATION:
A direct embedded subaqueous feeder cable was reaching retirement age. It approached, and even sometimes exceeded, the maximum load and needed replacement. That’s not exactly news. It’s happening all over the country. But when the new 20” pipe with six 4” conduits runs 120’ below a bay that spans almost 4000’, we are talking about an engineering feat. Infratech was tasked with drilling the bore, feeding the pipe, inserting six conduits and pulling 19,000 pounds of copper cable through three of the conduits. The project began in October and ended in January. Thankfully, the location is in friendly Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida, so at least the crews didn’t have to fight winter storms.
THE SOLUTION:
After the initial planning phase with local and state agencies was concluded, the utility sent out letters to the residents on both sides of the bay to inform them about the project. It would be loud and the hours would be long, but the result would ensure a solid supply of power to their homes for the next few decades. Our Infratech supervisors went from door to door and talked to the residents. They answered many questions and eased fears. The vast majority of homeowners were positive and also thankful for the upgrade. The ends of the bore and the termination points for the cable installed across the bay also required four 58” x 88” x 60” traffic rated concrete pull boxes to be set.
THE RESULT:
While the work was in progress, residents kept checking in on the crews for updates, so although there was a fair amount of disruption, thanks to steady communication, they knew that this work was for their benefit. The pipe contains six conduits, three of which are empty for future growth. Restoration crews are now making sure that the landscape looks as good as or even better than before work began. This was an enormous team effort. Our crews have been working together for a long time, so communication and work flows are very efficient. In addition, our stringent safety training, tool box talks and routine drills ensure that even complex projects like this are completed without compromising the safety of workers or residents.