Nicholson and SolData Working on Six of the Ten Largest Tunneling Projects in North America
PITTSBURGH, PA - Nicholson Construction was recently awarded the geotechnical contract for San Francisco's new Central Subway Project, with long-time Joint Venture partner Condon-Johnson. The new light-rail system will extend the current Muni's T Third Line by 1.7 miles, improving public transportation in San Francisco and providing direct connections to major retail, sporting and cultural venues.
Nicholson's portion of the contract includes diaphragm wall installation for the subway launch box, jet grouting and treatment at two of the stations, compensation grouting and secant pile wall installation.
The Central Subway Project is one of the ten largest ongoing tunneling projects in North America. Nicholson and its sister company, SolData, Inc., are involved in six of those ten projects.
Both companies are working on two of the largest tunneling projects in Seattle. Nicholson is performing temporary shoring and installing a permanent, reinforced concrete diaphragm wall for the 3.15 mile University Link light rail extension, which will connect Downtown Seattle to the University of Washington. SolData, Inc. was recently awarded a multi-year contract for instrumentation on the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project, which includes the replacement of Downtown Seattle's existing viaduct with a bored tunnel. SolData, Inc. will install more than 40 CYCLOPS (automated monitoring stations) to monitor the 3D movement of buildings, structures, ground surface and rail lines during construction. All monitoring data will be managed with the company's proprietary Geoscope package. When completed, the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement project will be the largest urban tunneling project ever constructed.
In New York, Nicholson has been performing a variety of geotechnical services on the Second Avenue Subway Project. The project includes the construction of a two-track subway line along Second Avenue from 125th Street to the Financial District in Lower Manhattan, designed to reduce overcrowding and delays on the existing Lexington Avenue line. Nicholson's work at the site includes the installation of diaphragm walls and micropiles, jet grouting, water cutoff and temporary support of excavation.
In 2011, Nicholson was awarded the grouting contract for the new Port of Miami Tunnel Project. The grout work will fill in voids in the existing rock layer ahead of the tunnel boring machine. The twin-bored tunnel will provide a direct connection from the Port to Watson Island and will help to eliminate congestion on the busy roadway.
"These new projects add to the growing list of logistically and technically challenging geotechnical projects carried out by Nicholson nationwide in the tunneling sector," said Andrew Walker, President, Nicholson Construction. "The greater the challenge, the greater our interest."
SolData, Inc. has installed extensive monitoring instrumentation on the Schulich Excecutive Center building in Toronto, Ontario. The $275 million structure is located in close proximity to the new Spadina Subway extension, which is one of the largest tunneling projects in the city.
"We've spent a significant amount of time researching and developing the most state-of-the-art instrumentation and monitoring," said SolData Northern America General Manager, Boris Caro Vargas. "We are happy to bring our worldwide experience and extensive knowledge of geotechnical, structural and environmental risk management to these challenging urban tunneling projects."
Nicholson and SolData, Inc. are both part of Soletanche Bachy, an internationally renowned leader in geotechnical contracting.
About Nicholson Construction Company:
Nicholson has been both a leader and an innovator in the geotechnical construction industry for more than 50 years. With regional offices across the country and headquarters located in Pittsburgh, Nicholson is a nationally renowned specialty contractor, offering proven expertise in the design and installation of deep foundation elements, earth retention systems and ground treatment solutions. We pride ourselves on our ability to consistently provide our clients with innovative, high-quality design-build options for projects of varying size and complexity. Nicholson is the North American subsidiary of Soletanche Bachy, one of the world's leading geotechnical contractors, and is part of a global network of unparalleled geotechnical resources and expertise.
About SolData, Inc.
SolData, Inc. provides first-class detection and monitoring services on major civil engineering projects worldwide. With 20 years of global experience and technological innovation, we provide unparalleled solutions for optimizing risk and asset management.
SolData, Inc. offers system design, procurement, installation and maintenance, data management, analysis and solution implementation.
