Repairs begin on UWS steam lines

Repairs are under way to flood-damaged underground steam lines running between the Halbert Heating Plant and the University of Wisconsin-Superior campus.

Work on the project began July 18 and should be complete by mid-August. Sidewalks, streets and landscaping removed for the repairs will be restored by early September.

To speed the project, three crews will be working 10 hours a day, six days a week.

The state-owned Halbert Heating Plant, 2210 Poplar Ave., provides steam to heat buildings and water for UW-Superior campus buildings and the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College. Pipes carrying the steam run underground in insulated concrete boxes called conduits.

The flooding of June 19-20 damaged the steam plant and forced water into the steam conduit system. The water destroyed pipeline insulation and forced debris into the conduits.

Beginning this week, the Boldt Company and other qualified sub-contractors are excavating 3,290 feet of the conduit system to make repairs. After uncovering sections of the conduit, workers will cut them open with concrete saws, repair any damaged pipeline and supports, replace damaged insulation with new material, and remove debris.

The conduits will then be recapped, waterproofed and covered. Concrete and landscaping will be restored.

Work is being performed in these areas:

• East side of Birch and Grand avenues from the Halbert Heating Plant and crossing 21st Street where Grand intersects.

• North side of 21st Street from Grand Avenue to Catlin Avenue.

• East side of Catlin Avenue from its intersection with 21st Street to the intersection of Catlin Avenue and 19th Street.

• On the UW-Superior campus starting at the northwest corner of Holden Fine and Applied Arts Center and proceeding west until aligned with Clough Street, then turning south until aligned with the southeast corner of Jim Dan Hill Library, and then turning west to run into the library.

The remainder of the conduit system is still being evaluated. Additional repairs may be necessary next year.

For information about the project’s progress and related current and upcoming street closings, go to uwssteamtunnelrepairs.com.

Tags: news, uws, construction