Transmission

Downtown Underground Transmission Duct Bank Installation Houston, Texas DCCM provided engineering and construction support services for the design of a 138-kilovolt transmission duct bank to replace aging oil-filled facilities serving the growing, highly congested Downtown and Midtown areas of Houston. More than 12,600 linear feet of underground transmission duct back was designed to connect three critical substations that serve these areas. The design included installations within existing substation facilities along and across TxDOT right-of-way, through the St. Joseph Medical Center, in front of the Toyota Center, and under the METRORail Red Line. DCCM worked with the client to optimize the duct bank configuration and layout to maximize the efficiency of construction and operational methods. DCCM utilized specialized planning and equipment to accommodate two horizontal directional drilling rigs in very restrictive, narrow, and congested areas of the project. Professional services included engineering analysis and design, topographic survey, signed and sealed plan and profile drawings, traffic control plans, construction method solutions, conflict resolutions, utility research, coordination and permitting (with TxDOT, City of Houston, and Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County [METRO]), signed and sealed as-built plans, geotechnical services, and construction phase support. All designs complied with the client’s standards and specifications, as well as federal, state, and municipal requirements. At a Glance 12,600 Linear Feet $303,000 Design Cost Markets Power Services Utilities

Transmission Counterpoise along BNSF Railroad Montgomery County, Texas With growing concerns about the effects of electromagnetic fields generated by overhead electric transmission lines on the rails of tracks managed by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF). DCCM was selected to design and coordinate with the client and BNSF for the installation of a counterpoise system to neutralize electromagnetic fields along 12 miles of paralleling tracks and a 345-kilovolt transmission line. This counterpoise system consisted of four 500 MCM buried bare copper cables along the BNSF right-of-way, two on each side, installed at strategic distances from the tracks to achieve optimal efficiency for its purpose. DCCM developed detailed construction drawings for cable installation, including horizontal directional drilling, a railroad plow, and an open trench. DCCM obtained all necessary permits from the County, TxDOT, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and BNSF. At a Glance 345 kV Transmission Line 12 Miles Railroad Markets Power Services Utilities