5th Street Reconstruction

Project Details

Client: City of Rochester
Location: Rochester, MN
Services: Earthwork, Removals, Utilities

Overview

In July of 2022, The City of Rochester awarded Bolander the contract for the 5th Street Reconstruction project located between 1st Avenue SW & 4th Avenue SW in downtown Rochester.

The project required the complete reconstruction of 3 city blocks. Our work consisted of Surface Removals, Underground Pipe Removals, Sanitary Sewer, Watermain, Storm Sewer & Grading. As the prime contractor for this project, Bolander was also responsible for concrete/asphalt paving and electrical duct bank construction which was performed by our local trade partners.

The most challenging aspect of this project was the replacement of an active sanitary manhole with a 17’ build height. With thorough planning and close coordination with City staff, we were able to complete this task with minimal sewer bypass pumping and well within bid parameters.

This project was unique as it was surrounded by three adjacent construction projects, one of which was our Block 6 parking ramp project. Given the proximity to these separate projects, access coordination, sequencing and communication was paramount to our success as well as the success of the adjacent projects.

Thanks to the dedication of the high quality Bolander personnel and our trade partners, we were able to demonstrate our ability to complete technical projects to the City and other customers within this market.

Northrop Auditorium

Project Details

Client: JE Dunn
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Services: Select Demolition, Deep Foundations, Excavation

Overview

Historic Northrop Auditorium was constructed in 1929 and serves as a popular theatrical and performing arts venue on the campus of the University of Minnesota.  Bolander provided selective and structural demolition, excavation, and deep foundations within this iconic facility.

The work included complete demolition of the interior structures back to the exterior walls and roof. During all the work, the historic and irreplaceable Memorial Hall was protected from vibration and damage.  The entire existing balcony structure was removed upon execution of a sequenced demolition plan to included temporary structural bracing.

Underpinning work at Northrop allowed 16 of the original pad footings be replaced with pile caps to allow heavier future loads.  Utilizing micropiles, Bolander literally lifted and held existing structural columns supporting the building while structural retrofit occurred.  Bolander performed this work on a design-build basis and created detailed work plans to facilitate engineering and field coordination.

Bolander demolition expertise at Northrop earned a spot as a finalist at the 2011 World Demolition Awards in Amsterdam.

Bolander underpinning work at Northrop was featured at the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations 2013 Annual Conference.

Allianz Field

Project Details

Client: Mortenson
Location: St. Paul, MN
Services: Demolition, Earth Retention, Excavation, Deep Foundations, Site Utilities

Overview

Bolander is proud to be part of this landmark project that landed one of America’s finest soccer stadiums on a formally blighted St. Paul, MN parcel.  This remarkable urban revitalization presented numerous challenges to include soil remediation, discovery of abandoned structure and extensive connections to urban infrastructure.  Bolander stepped up to the accelerated schedule to support the creation of Allianz Field, the new home for Minnesota United in 2019.

Bolander provided the following work:

  • Mass excavation and export of over 250,000 CY of fill or silty soil
  • Import and placement of over 60,000 CY of clean sand
  • 240,000 SF of structural demolition
  • Temporary earth retention
  • Extensive groundwater management
  • Installation and tensioning of 124 structural anchors to resist uplift, up to 65’ deep
  • Stockholm soil tree trenches
  • Four storm water storage systems to include fused SRPE DuroMaxx
  • Two storm water lift stations linked to the City of St Paul management system
  • Fine grading and aggregates for approximately 23 acres

 

Berkman

Project Details

Client: Weis Builders Inc
Location: Rochester, MN
Services: Earthwork, Utilities

Overview

The Berkman Apartments, located directly across from Mayo Clinic’s Saint Mary’s Hospital, is constructed over one of the most geotechnically challenging sites in Minnesota. Bolander worked hand-in-hand with Alatus, Weis Builders and Braun Intertec to develop and implement adaptable deep foundation methods to support the 14-story concrete structure.

Braun, relying on their extensive experience in this region, recommended alternating between cased micropiles and drilled piers.  Micropiles were used in areas of weak soils and/or voids and drilled piers could be utilized on competent bedrock. To bring order to highly unpredictable karst subsurface conditions, Bolander developed a flow chart that accelerated the team decision making process when soft soils or voids were encountered.  Further, Bolander provided schedule and cost saving solutions by fabricating a custom drill rig to quickly discover and evaluate voids before foundations were drilled.

Micropile drilling was challenging and unpredictable with depths as shallow as 50-ft and as deep as 120-ft.  Drill pier foundations were drilled through 35-ft of competent bedrock.

Foundations By the Numbers:

  • DTH Micropile: 256-Each (13,879-LF)
  • Drilled Piers: 130-Each (3-ft to 8-ft Diameter)

Hines North Loop Green III

Project Details

Client: Kraus-Anderson
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Services: Removals, Earth Retention, Excavation, Deep Foundations, Site Utilities

Overview

Located immediately to the northeast of Target Field, Hines/North Loop Green III is a bold project which showcases many of Bolander’s capabilities.

Poised to be a hub for mass transit, North Loop Green III sits adjacent to the Cedar Lake Trail, Northstar Rail Line, Minneapolis Bus Lines, and Light Rail. The building is 1 story below grade, has a residential and commercial tower, and connects to the 5th street bridge on the plaza level. The building footprint straddles the below grade waterway called the Bassett Creek Tunnel, which commanded caution and extreme attention when working in its vicinity.  Given the dense urban surroundings, the project had tight space constraints. The coordination of our work required constant communication with the general contractor. We ensured all requirements and scheduling constraints from surrounding neighbors and other subcontractors were being met. Making sure that we had minimal disturbance to any Target Field events was a priority on this project. These constraints required that Bolander be both efficient and flexible with our scheduling to best serve the project.

Bolander installed earth retention systems along the North, West, and South sides of the project. Our team used a variety of methods for each unique situation:

  • H-Pile and lagging retention
  • Cantilevered H-pile
  • Driven H-Pile
  • Drilled and Set H-pile
  • Fluted H-Pile
  • Tiebacks
  • Wales
  • Predrilled H-pile
  • Internally Braced retention
  • Slide rail system trench boxes

While excavating the site to the respective grades, Bolander safely disposed of nearly 20,000 tons of contaminated soil. There were multiple concerns with the existing soils on this site. Bolander was able to navigate the differing soil conditions by:

  • Providing a 3’ thick working pad to allow all contractors to efficiently move around the site during construction
  • Correcting soil in areas that had spread/pad footings with no deep foundations
  • Mass exporting onsite soils
  • Mass importing clean sand for the working pad and site backfill
  • Providing multiple access ramps to best facilitate the planned work on the project

With the excavation complete and the earth retention systems in place, our team began installing the deep foundation systems to support the 36-story tall North Loop Green. Bolander used multiple systems which satisfied all load requirements, including:

  • Driven H-Pile
  • Driven Pipe pile
  • Micropile
  • Drilled piers
  • Tension H-pile with rebar “candy canes”

While working in close vicinity of the Bassett Creek Tunnel, some deep foundation changes needed to be made to accommodate the depth and size of the existing waterway, as well as the differing site conditions.

Working concurrently with our foundation crews, the utility crews had their own solutions to the complex project requirements. In addition to standard utility services, our team installed a 96” Duromaxx storm sewer retention system and a JellyFish storm water pretreatment structure. The utility work required a variety of installation methods to overcome many challenges:

  • Jack and bore pipe installation for a deep sanitary connection
  • Rock hammering/trenching
  • Existing utility support
  • Open excavation installation
  • Temporary storm sewer reroute
  • Making multiple connections to an existing concrete-encased watermain

Although there wasn’t an existing building to demolish, our demolition crew still had a unique job to do. Along with other entrances at ground level, North Loop Green features an entryway from the 5th St. bridge directly across from Target Field. Our demolition crew removed the crash wall and sidewalk from the portion of the bridge that connects to the new NLG III plaza. The bridge removals required the skill and experience of our demolition crew to figure out the best way to complete these removals without damaging the existing bridge deck. The demolition work included:

  • Salvaging the existing fence
  • Saw cutting multiple relief cuts for the sidewalk
  • Using the proper equipment to remove the concrete without damaging the existing bridge deck
  • Intensive traffic/pedestrian control coordination to accommodate Target Field events

As Kraus-Anderson and other contractors work on constructing the building and its 450 apartments and over 350,000 square feet of commercial and office space, Bolander will complete the finish grading on over an acre of green space.

We are extremely thankful to our valued customer Kraus-Anderson Construction who chose to rely on the talented men and women of Bolander to deliver this major project!

Project Osprey

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Project Details

Client: Ryan Companies
Location: Rosemount, MN
Services: Earth Retention, Excavation, Site Utilities

Overview

In the summer of 2021, Ryan Companies awarded this project to Bolander. Located in Rosemount MN, Project Osprey will be a substantial rail-accessible distribution facility for Home Depot. The site encompasses 67 Acres total with a 400,000 square foot building, a massive outdoor concrete paved storage yard, roads/parking areas and 5,000 LF of railroad track.

After comprehensive review of the geotechnical report, the Bolander estimating team offered an innovative approach to utilizing existing soils to meet project criteria, eliminate the need to export unsuitable soils/import suitable soils thus balancing the site. This cost-saving approach won Bolander this major project.

Highlights:

·Over 500,000 CYs of grading

·Over 20,000 LF of Storm Sewer, Sanitary Sewer & Watermain

·Nearly 100,000 TNs of CL5 Aggregate Base

In fall of 2021, much to the delight of our customer, Bolander completed the building pad grading ahead of schedule. Beating this milestone was a significant testament to the ability of the men and women who worked on this project. Spring 2022 we resumed work installing storm sewer, subgrade preparation, railroad grading, aggregate base installation as well as the construction of a 2,000 LF noise wall.

Abbott Northwestern Central Utility Plant

Project Details

Client: JE Dunn
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Services: Building Demolition, Earth Retention, Excavation, Site Utilities

Overview

In the spring of 2021, JE Dunn awarded Bolander the site work construction for the Abbott Northwestern Central Utility project. Once awarded, we worked closely with the client on the high-level planning required to execute this complicated project. Bolander’s work consists of Building Demolition, Earth Retention, Excavation & Site Utilities.

Located on the corner of Chicago Avenue and East 26th Street, the new Central Utility Plant will replace the hospital’s outdated energy and steam-producing equipment with more reliable and energy-efficient technology. The hospital currently relies on steam and energy equipment dating back to 1956.

The project started with the demolition of the existing Harriet Walker and the Education buildings. Standing 6-Stories tall, the Harriet Walker building was a perfect opportunity to utilize the Liebherr R960 High-Reach Demolition Excavator. This machine has multiple configurations and the ability to reach 108’!

The Earth Retention portion of our work includes drill & set H-Pile and lagging, tie-backs, internal bracing, as well as soil solidification. Given the proximity to existing structures that are to remain intact as well as active medical facilities, vibration was a significant concern. Bolander worked with our engineering consultant to develop a plan to alleviate these concerns.

This project shows our ability to coordinate and collaborate with the general contractor as well as the other project partners and stakeholders.

Essentia Hospital – Vision Northland

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Project Details

Client: McGough Construction
Location: Duluth, MN
Services: Building Demolition, Earth Retention, Excavation, Site Utilities

Overview

Essentia has been an exciting project with its success rooted in our partnership with Northland Constructors of Duluth. Starting in 2019, Northland took the lead on excavation and utilities while Bolander began demolition, deep foundations and earth retention.

The demolition has been unique to both the client and the structure involved.

“Essentia is an active hospital,” explained Evan Mackey, Demolition Division Manager, “Bolander worked closely with the general contractor and Essentia to implement means and methods that reduced noise, dust and vibration to mitigate impact to sensitive medical equipment, patients and pedestrian traffic.” Additionally, Bolander crews worked on demolition of a post-tension parking ramp. This included de-tensioned and re-tensioned structural cables.  Demolition crews also dismantled two existing skyways.

Foundation crews had to account for topographical challenges, as the site drop 110’ towards the shore of Lake Superior. Their work included five separate earth retention systems retaining as much as 62 vertical feet of rock and soil.  To maintain the aggressive schedule, our crews showed true commitment working long hours and even drilling through Thanksgiving weekend. Furthermore, Bolander drilled 100 foundation rock anchors and is scheduled to install 32 drilled piers.

Essentia has been an exciting project where Bolander, with our talented leadership and crews, overcame several obstacles to complete our scope of work safely and on time.  This project has sparked a great relationship with Northland Constructors which will lead to more opportunities for us in the Duluth market.

RBC Gateway Tower

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Project Details

Client: McGough Construction
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Services: Building Demolition, Earth Retention, Excavation, Site Utilities

Overview

The 37-story Gateway Tower has been a masterful display of Bolander’s dominance in the Twin Cities urban construction market.  This project utilized our full suite of capabilities and construction services to deliver the 55-ft deep excavation.

The project began with the installation of an H-Pile earth retention system followed quickly by the removal of over 130,000 cubic yards of rock and soil and the installation of 113 drilled piers extending an additional 48-ft deeper into rock.  To minimize disruption to the heavily trafficked Hennepin Avenue corridor, pipe jacking was elected as the least invasive way to connect site utilities into the city’s infrastructure.

“Extensive logistical planning was necessary to execute this project properly,” said Senior Project Manager John Caroon, “In addition to coordinating our work with other trades we also had to consider the city’s plans for the reconstruction of Hennepin Avenue and an adjacent tower, 270 Hennepin.”

The 22-story tower, 270 Hennepin, also became a Bolander project marking 2019 as the year Bolander teamed to change the skyline.