Situation:
As part of UMass Boston’s 25-year campus master plan, the University developed a Utilities Master Plan that identified the need to reroute all campus utilities, following the demolition of a deteriorating substructure. Based on our unique blend of construction management and self-perform civil & utility construction expertise, BOND was selected to deliver a campus-wide utility corridor and roadway relocation. This multi-faceted project included significant upgrades to UMass Boston’s Central Utility Plant (CUP) and the construction of the utility corridor, composed of 6.1 miles of new piping and ductbanks.
Challenges:
- Work performed on a 24/7 operational campus
- Scheduling, sequencing, and tie-in of multiple utility installations with existing campus buildings
- Ensured continuous access to UMass Boston while working on main campus thoroughfares
- Overhaul of seawater pump house infrastructure that is integral to campus cooling systems
Solutions:
- Weekly meetings with University stakeholders and project team members to review, update, and gain approval of logistics and traffic management plans
- Development of detailed utility installation plans that give campus stakeholders at least six weeks of advance notice before a scheduled shutdown
- Collaboration with UMass Boston to develop budget and pre-purchase equipment for the seawater pump house, including new pumps and seawater strainers
- Use of in-house 3D BIM and laser scanning services to document and model underground piping and create as-builts for civil construction
- Daily communication with subcontractors via the tablet-based BIM360 program to track quality control and project progress
- Use of AutoCAD Civil 3D Underground Utility Coordination
Results:
- Delivery of an updated CUP that incorporates state-of-the-art control systems to serve as the “brain” of the UMass Boston utility system
- Services of completed utility loop encompasses 26,000 linear feet of water piping, 15,000 linear feet of hot water piping, 15,000 linear feet of chilled water piping, 10,000 linear feet of electrical ductbank, 10,000 linear feet of telecommunications ductbank, 5,000 linear feet of storm piping, 4,5000 linear feet of gas piping and 3,500 linear feet of sanitary piping
- New utility corridor supports future buildings and provides reliable and redundant utility services to the UMass Boston campus
- New two-way roadway network provide various amenities, including bike lanes, tree lawns, and sidewalks through the campus
Interested in Learning More?
How UMass Boston’s Utility Upgrade Transformed Its Campus
Appearing In: IDEA’s District Energy | Spring/Summer 2021
Authored by Robert Mischler and James Velleman, BVH
Campus Wide Utility Replacement at UMass Boston
Presented at the International District Energy Association (IDEA) Conference
Campus Energy 2020: The Power to Change
Presented by Robert Mischler and Steve Liechti
PDF Download Available: International District Energy Association’s Website
