Neighborhood Improvement Projects are “Meat & Potatoes” to Utility Contractors
By Fred Tingberg Jr., COO Lanzo Corporation
One of the most significant contribution an Underground Contractor can make to the community is participating in what
is commonly known as Neighborhood Improvement. One such project was completed by Lanzo for the City of Miramar.
In a typical “Neighborhood Improvement” project Roads are torn out then replaced; but only after new sanitary sewers
and watermains are introduced along with an improved drainage system, rebuilt walkways, curbs, landscaping, and
other forms of beautification. It is not uncommon for these projects to yield real estate value increases of 30% or more
along with improved aesthetics and an overall “feel” of community betterment.
Lanzo has taken on many such projects for Broward, Palm Beach and Miami Dade Counties, with a recent Miramar Job
being a model of this type of effort.
The Miramar project first required regular communications and outreach with community leaders and stake holders
especially residents. Close attention was paid to complex timing of traffic patterns with preparations for noise and other
environmental issues a high priority. As always SAFETY FIRST, a Lanzo Core value was maintained during all phases of the
construction work.
Once awarded the contract Lanzo scheduled project components starting with a new Ductile Iron Water Distribution
system including over three miles of 8” and 6” piping requiring twenty-six (26) wet taps.
System Flows and Pressures were greatly improved along with total redundancy.
The new Sanitary System required dewatering by “well pointing” an OSHA compliant Safe Trench. This allowed:
• De Silting and turbidity monitoring of outfalls in “ecologically sensitive” environment
• 24,122 linear feet of 8” PVC Gravity line with cuts to 20’ deep
• 92 new manholes
• 1,488 linear feet of 8” force main which tied a new pump station into the existing system
• The pump station required construction of a thirty-five (35’) foot steel sheeted vertical shaft
The new Drainage improvements included:
• 353 new structures
• 31,427 linear feet of 15” – 42” reinforced concrete pipe
• 2 large control structures
Final restoration was completed on time and under budget with 76,821 square yards of S-III Asphalt overlay, sidewalk
and curbing. Additional Landscaped features along with strategic placement of Paver stones were made part of the
overall project to provide a hometown feel.
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DITCHMEN • OCTOBER 2019