CONTENT EXPIRES: December 31, 2027 

Collaboration was key to achieving technical excellence and innovation in the Boat Harbor Treatment Plant Conversion projects, part of HRSD’s Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT) program. The Force Main Section 1 Subaqueous Project, also known as the James River Crossing (JRX), exemplifies this principle through its fixed-price design-build delivery method. The project involves installing a new force main beneath the Newport News Shipping Channel, using over four miles of HDPE pipe ranging from 42 to 54 inches in diameter. The design-build team's collaborative efforts were crucial during procurement when they assessed the feasibility of extending the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) to the shoreline. This extension added over 2,300 LF to the original 3,200 LF, resulting in a new total length of over 5,500 LF and savings over $10 million. This project represents the longest single HDD installation of large-diameter HDPE pipe, positioned more than 100 feet below the channel at an elevation of -170 feet. This presentation will highlight how effective stakeholder collaboration facilitated planning, design, and construction, resulting in technical excellence and innovative solutions. Key topics will include risk mitigation strategies, challenges overcome through teamwork, technology used, lessons learned, and cost savings achieved through collaborative efforts.