The 10-week Phase 1 work, performed during one of the coldest and snowiest winters on record, included mass excavation, soil reclamation and soil remediation. Phase 2 construction includes a perimeter fence, new city sidewalk, and 70 structural piers with eleven concrete pad foundations. The combined estimated cost for site work performed by McGrath in Phases 1 and 2 is $1.4 million.

During the site work phase, McGrath recycled as much existing material as possible rather than haul debris to a landfill and import new rock fill. A Grizzly rock separator was used to remove large chunks of unusable concrete, limestone and debris from the soil. Suitable fill materials were returned to the site, placed and compacted under the direction of a soils engineer to create a stable base for the station structures.

McGrath removed abandoned sewer pipes and three cisterns that were introducing water onto the site, excavating to an average 9’ deep overall and 18’ to 20’ deep around the cisterns. Safety on the relatively small site was a challenge, requiring all workers and heavy equipment operators to be especially aware of their surroundings.

This past winter’s extreme weather conditions created special budget and schedule challenges related to soil remediation. Fill soil was difficult to acquire and high in moisture, requiring a chemical drying process.

McGrath & Associates is a 100 percent employee-owned general contractor and construction management firm specializing in commercial, health care, industrial, institutional and pharmaceutical construction projects since 1983. McGrath was named 2014 “General Contractor of the Year” by the American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council, an award the company has received five times out of 16 nominations. McGrath is a member of the Associated General Contractors and the St. Louis Construction OSHA Partnership. For more information, call Ken Knobbe at (314) 772-7600 or visit www.mcgrathconstruction.com.

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