Improved Polyethylene Pipe System for Under Roadway Applications

Eagle 1 Resources in Auburn, Alabama, a Strategic Planning and Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) firm, has developed a concept of Improved System for Piping under Roadways using PE Plastic Pipe. The potential applications of this installation will reduce the utility owner's initial capital investment by 30% to 70% vs. steel encasement. This system will also reduce the utility company's long-term maintenance expenses and provide future replacement options. Replacements for system growth and/or system integrity issues can be completed with minimal capital investment. This information has been presented to the State Highway Department Utility Divisions for the Continental 48 states to receive input and comments. The comments received to date have been overwhelmingly favorable. The Public Service Commissions which have reviewed this application have commented that PE encasement amounts to rate relief for the utility customers.

This PE Plastic Encasement Standard has been developed with extremely conservative dynamics. The safety factors applied far exceed the industry standards and the safety of the traveling public will be increased with each installation. After completing the Professional Engineering review of each potential installation size, wall thickness, and location across the Continental United States, it has been recommend that this HDPE / MDPE Plastic Encasement Standard be adopted by the respective State Department of Transportation Utilities Manuals.

Some of the advantages of PE Plastic Encasement include:

• Increased Public Safety
• Improved Installation Method
• Potential Bypass Operations
• Tracer Wire Protection
• Reduced Costs