Frontier-Kemper Newsroom
Brightwater Tunnel Project's BT-2 TBM Holes Thru
The VPFK Brightwater Central Contract’s east (or BT-2) tunnel drive reached its final position on June 22. After advancing through the receiving shaft wall, which was built by others, the TBM continued into a Control Density Fill (CDF) block cast by the Joint Venture to receive the TBM. The CDF block was used because of uncertainty about the watertightness of joint between the tunnel and the shaft walls. The shaft was filled with water to equalize receiving pressure with the hydrostatic pressure of the surrounding ground. Once the TBM was at its terminal position, the shaft was drained. With no leaks evident at the tunnel/shaft joint, excavation of the CDF has begun. The TBM will be fully accessible during the week of June 28th, after which disassembly and loadout will occur.
FKCI Selected by ENR as a Top 400 Contractor
Frontier-Kemper Constructor’s Inc. has once again been selected by Engineering News Record (ENR) as one of the top 400 contractors in North America. ENR is a weekly industry magazine that provides news, analysis, data, and opinion for the construction industry worldwide. Frontier-Kemper has been selected as a Top 400 Contractor numerous times in the past. This year, Frontier-Kemper ranks at No. 391. Congratulations to the Frontier-Kemper family on this notable accomplishment.
FKCI Exhibits at the 2009 Bluefield Coal Show
Frontier-Kemper exhibited at the 2009 Bluefield Coal Show held in Bluefield, WV, at the Brushfork Armory, September 16–18. Booth staff included Roger Cherry, Matt Shelton, Shawn Collins, Rob Brown, and Charlie Ernst. The show hosted a decent turnout and provided Frontier-Kemper and FKC-Lake Shore with several project leads. Thanks for your hard work, gentlemen!
Granite/Traylor/Frontier-Kemper JV Awarded Eastside Access Project
In late June 2009, the Granite/Traylor/Frontier-Kemper Joint Venture was awarded the contract for the construction of the Eastside Access Queens Bored Tunnels in Queens, NY. Eastside Access is a public works project being undertaken by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York City, designed to bring the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) into a new Eastside station to be built below, and incorporated into, Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. The scope of work includes the construction of four tunnels 19 feet, 6 inches in diameter with a combined total length of 10,500 feet. The tunnels will be constructed using two softground TBMs. Work also includes excavation of a large open-cut installation of trackwork and related structures, construction of emergency exit structures, etc. Work is expected to begin later in 2009 with an anticipated completion 46 months later.
Rip Recognized at RETC
Galyn “Rip” Rippentrop, former President & CEO of Frontier-Kemper Constructors, Inc., was awarded the “UCA Outstanding Individual Award” at RETC (The Rapid Excavation and Tunneling Conference), June 14–17 at Caesars’ Palace in Las Vegas. RETC is an international forum for the exchange and dissemination of developments and advances in underground construction. Issues covered in the program provide innovative solutions to the unique challenges associated with the tunneling industry. The award comes close to a year after Rip’s retirement from FKCI. Congratulations, Rip, on a recognition well deserved!
FKCI Attends Longwall Coal Show
Frontier-Kemper Constructors, Inc., and FKC-Lake Shore exhibited at the 2009 Longwall Coal Show, June 16-18 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. The Longwall Coal Show is a well-established show attended by a range of delegates from all parts of the longwall mining industry and attracts many relevant manufacturers and service providers. Booth staff included Roger Cherry, Ron Hart, Tyrone Wright, Steve Crewdson, and Larry Kester of Metso Minerals. The show hosted a decent turnout and provided Frontier-Kemper and FKC-Lake Shore with several project leads. Thanks for your hard work, gentlemen!