The Merewether to Gateshead project was to replace the underground sections of existing Feeders 760 and 766 (comprising of four fluid-filled underground cables) with two new sets of XLPE underground cables.
This required trenching of new 33kV ducts from Merewether STS to King Street and to UGOH’s at O’Connell Park, with a pre-cast joint bay to facilitate cable installation.. All works were permanently restored to meet requirements of Newcastle Council as part of the project scope.
CORE REQUIREMENTS
- 930m of invert trefoil 33kV 150mm conduits trenched in the roadway
- Communications, DTS and earthing conduits
- 33kV pre-cast joint bay and earthing
- Installation of six Class D communication pits
- Permanent restoration to Newcastle City Council specifications
- CCTV all conduits
- Stakeholder and community relations management
RESULTS
- High productivity of large dual circuit trench
- Zero safety incidents
- Management of local community through difficult night works in residential areas
- Spoil recycling program
- Permanent restoration of affected areas to an exceptional standard
- Exceptional community relations and stakeholder management
- Effective management of scope creep by daily tracking methods
CHALLENGES
- Excavation adjacent to existing 132kV cabling in substation
- Challenging process on a large scale of steel plates in the roadway (Thermal Stabilised Bedding for backfill)
- Installation of up to 80m3 of TSB per day (delivered by agitator)
- Managing nightworks to maximise project production
- Maintaining zone of influence controls in single lane closures
- Excavation around, over and under all existing services
- Championed method for excavation over and under transmission feeders (33kV to 132kV)
- Excavation through contaminated areas