NTH Scores a Vital Role in the Detroit Entertainment & Events Center Project
In 2007, NTH Consultants, Ltd. (NTH) became involved in the first discussions with the Olympia Development of Michigan (ODM) regarding their transformational redevelopment plan to change the face of Detroit: five new neighborhoods, a $450 million hockey arena, 45-block entertainment complex, and an accelerated timeline to complete it all. NTH has had a long, successful history with Illitch family, including work on the Fox Theatre Roofing, Comerica Park, the Motor City Casino parking structure and various parcels and environmental studies around the Motor City Casino. It was this work and NTH's reputation in the Detroit area that led to NTH's involvement in this project.
The new arena, which will feature a unique, glass-roofed concourse connecting it to offices and shops surrounding it, and will house at least 20,000 spectators, will anchor a new 650,000-square foot sports and entertainment district in Downtown Detroit that will include mixed-use neighborhoods with new residential and retail outlets. Redevelopment of an urban renewal site in Downtown Detroit demands extensive expertise and aggressive innovation. ODM found this unique combination in NTH.
NTH was called off of the engineering "bench" long before the first construction equipment rolled on-site to assist with pre-acquisition due diligence studies as well as pre-engineering data collection and evaluation. From an environmental point of view, the challenge was to identify and evaluate potential environmental problems or recognized environmental conditions (RECs) at over 100 tax parcels, ranging from dilapidated residences to former light industrial operations. In addition, NTH was to conduct all environmental characterization and response activities in accordance with state and federal regulations. NTH had to work quickly as the project schedule was aggressive. All eyes turned to NTH to clear environmental hurdles and keep the project rolling. NTH applied practical geo-environmental expertise, keen regulatory understanding and emergency response services to minimize delays and adhere to the project schedule.
From a constructability and cost point of view, NTH reviewed existing utility networks within the project area as well as available ground conditions to evaluate appropriate design and construction requirements for the next facility. Using this information, we worked with ODM staff to develop cost estimates for this transformational project.
The construction of the new indoor arena for the Detroit Red Wings has begun and an NTH crew is working on-site overseeing and monitoring the hazardous materials removal, building demolition, mass excavation as well as caisson installation and substructure construction activities. NTH is thrilled to have an important role in this historic project and we will provide more updates as the project progresses.
(This blog post does not express the views of Olympia Development of Michigan and the views expressed here are only the views of NTH Consultants, Ltd.)
NTH Presents at RETC: Black River Tunnel Phase 1
Jason Edberg, P.E., Vice President NTH Consultants, Ltd.
Jason Edberg Presents A Case Study In Construction Of An Underground Combined Sanitary Storage Tunnel In Ohio Shale
Jason Edberg was recently asked to speak at the Rapid Excavation and Tunneling Conference in New Orleans. The organizers were interested in having Edberg explain the unique construction aspects of the Black River Tunnel: Phase 1 Project, a 5,600-foot long, 23-foot diameter rock tunnel located in Lorain, OH, which is intended to reduce sanitary sewer overflows to the Black River and Lake Erie. The City of Lorain (City) is located in north central Ohio on the south shore of Lake Erie, approximately 25 miles west of Cleveland and 74 miles east of Toledo.
The City chose to build a large diameter storage tunnel and pump station to meet their requirements to reduce sanitary sewer overflows to the nearby Black River. NTH was retained by the City's prime consultant, Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. (now the water division of ARCADIS), to perform a geotechnical investigation, develop design and construction bid documents for the tunnel and shaft liner systems and ultimately provide oversight assistance during the
construction phase of the project.
Edberg's talk discussed the construction challenges and successes during tunnel excavation and installation of the primary tunnel liner systems, and portions of the secondary liner system. He also compared the shaft construction techniques that were utilized for each of the two shafts, highlighting advantages and drawbacks based on experience during construction.
Images from the Black Tunnel project and from the RETC event are below.
Michigan Voters Reject Proposal 1 but Want Transportation Funding
Tyler Dawson, Ph.D., P.E. NTH Project Engineer
NTH's Tyler Dawson breaks down Proposal 1 and what's next for our roads
On Cinco de Mayo, Michigan Voters did more than just celebrate Mexico's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla, they got out and voted down Proposal 1 in historic fashion. About 1.4 million voters cast 'No' votes to only about 350,000 'Yes' votes. In general however, many voters were confused, un-inspired, and generally angry with the people elected to make decisions for our state. Keep reading for an explanation of Proposal 1 and some thoughts on the ever-changing "Plan B."
The main feature of Proposal 1 was to dissolve the current state gas taxes and replace them with a "transportation only" gas tax and an increase in the state sales tax from 6% to 7%. No sales tax would be charged to gas and all gas taxes would go to transportation. The state sales tax increase would replace the sales tax from gasoline and add several hundred million dollars to schools and local governments. This complexity, along with several other changes to registration fees, earned income tax credits, etc. confused many… for good reason.
The final nail in Proposal 1's coffin was the general disdain for politicians. Many voters are simply fed up with local, state, and federal politics and politicians. Much of the legislature wants to fund transportation, but they don't want to raise taxes. Hence, they followed the State Constitution and put the tax increase in the hands of the voters… and the voters made it clear what they thought of the plan.
Voters were told there was no Plan B and Proposal 1 was our last chance. Although Proposal 1 was voted down, a strong majority of the public supports increased transportation funding and wants a Plan B. Within 24-hours of the election several Plan Bs were making their way to the floor in the State Legislature. These plans are ever evolving and it is hard to tell what will be selected.
The fact is that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) maintains close to 9,700 miles of pavement and 4,750 bridges. The current funding levels are insufficient compared to the majority of our Great Lakes Neighbors. As a result, the conditions of our roads and bridges are inadequate and our vehicles are paying a price. Most agree that an additional $1-$3 Billion are needed annually to fund transportation. One or more of the Plan Bs below will likely be selected to increase transportation funding.
Changes to the vehicle registration fee structure
Different overhaul of the gas tax
Flat, across-the-board spending cut placed into transportation
Increase in the State Transportation portion of the gas tax
Per-mile vehicle charges
Sales tax increase for transportation
Shift General Fund dollars to transportation
Shift restricted funds from the DNR etc.
Tap the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Fund
Use of toll roads
What happens if we wait?
Every day that transportation funding is delayed increases the total amount needed to properly maintain our State transportation network. This is because the conditions of the network are continuously deteriorating and the costs of repairs are increasing. The most cost-effective pavement treatments are those performed early in the pavement life. Preventive maintenance such as sealing and thin asphalt overlays can save about $5 for every $1 spent.
The former practice of waiting until failure and reconstructing the infrastructure is much more costly than maintaining it over its life cycle. The longer we wait to act, the worse is the overall pavement condition, and the more costly will be the treatment. The longer we wait for funding the more likely will the treatments be those which require geotechnical investigations, foundation designs, and more substantial materials work.
OMID Project Groundbreaking ceremony
On June 2, several members of NTH attended the groundbreaking ceremony that was held at Riverbends Park in Shelby Township, MI for the Oakland-Macomb Interceptor Drain (OMID) Contract 5 and 6 projects. The OMID is a large interceptor sewer, approximately 20 miles in overall length that serves approximately 830,000 residents of Macomb and Oakland Counties.
This project began in August 2004 when a developing sinkhole was encountered at the intersection of Fontana Drive and 15 Mile Road in the City of Sterling Heights over the Romeo Arm of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department's (DWSD) Oakland Macomb Interceptor System (OMIS). As the emergency repair work continued to restore the affected roads and subsurface infrastructure, another question was being raised, "How can we find and prevent future sinkholes." With NTH at the helm, the remainder of the system was inspected, and found to be in very poor condition in several areas, necessitating the OMID Drainage District to undertake a $170 million, seven year repair program to be conducted under six separate contracts.
NTH has been involved in this massive project from the beginning and this groundbreaking marks the final stages of the project which is scheduled to be completed in June 2016. The ceremony included remarks from Keith Swaffer, Executive Chairman of NTH, Anthony Marrocco, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner, Jim Nash, Oakland County Resources Commissioner, and Michael Gregg, Board Chair, Michigan Department of Agriculture and was attended by many others, including local media.