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WPC worked with PBS&J and the Town of Mount Pleasant on the design and build of Hungryneck Boulevard. In the initial stages of development, WPC provided Environmental Services to ensure that the project was in compliance with environmental laws and regulations. WPC also provided Geotechnical Engineering for the design of the new roadway.
WPC’s geotechnical investigation utilized equipment such as the Piezocone Penetration Test (CPT) and Flat Blade Dilatometer (DMT) to assess the soil conditions underlying the roadway. The subsurface investigation discovered a large deposit of very soft soil that extended along approximately 1,500 feet of the roadway. To avoid excessive settlements and a bumpy riding surface, WPC designed a surcharge program to pre-settle the soils. The roadway also crossed through a pond. At the time of the investigation, the tidal effects on the pond were uncertain as well as the soft bottom soils were uncharacterized. WPC designed a filling system that generated a “mud wave” that displaced the soft soils as controlled fill was being placed and compacted. Mud waves are generally avoided due to being difficult to predict and control. WPC’s program used the mud wave to scour the bottom of the pond and minimize site work. The innovative use of this phenomenon reduced the site work schedule. The side slopes of the road were designed using a 6ft x 6ft key that was excavated out of the bottom of the pond and backfilled with rip rap. The rip rap allowed for a steeper side slope reducing materials and again hastened the construction schedule.
WPC was also involved during the construction process providing Quality Assurance Inspection and Testing. This consisted of testing the subgrade soils to verify that they had been properly compacted as well as monitoring and testing the placement of the asphalt. Providing the QA testing allowed WPC to work very closely with the design engineers as well as the contractor to verify that the roadway was being built according to the plans and specifications. As construction issues arose, WPC’s involvement with the material and geotechnical portion of the work allowed our engineers to make rapid decisions in the field that minimize any delays to the contractor.
The Hungryneck Phase II project involved conducting an ASTM 1527:00 Environmental Site Assessment, Section 404 Wetlands Survey and Permitting, and full Threatened & Endangered Species Survey within the proposed 200’ right-of-way. WPC provided environmental regulatory compliance assistance from inception of the Phase II project.
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