WSSI Helps Utility Replace Degraded Culverts In Protected Natural Areas

Northeast U.S. Utility

From permits to construction, WSSI worked with a northeast U.S. utility to replace corrugated metal pipe culverts in rural areas with federally protected waters

The Challenge

A northeast U.S. utility has power lines throughout Maryland, including rights-of-way located in rural areas that require access roads. The access roads that are built over streams and other environmentally-sensitive areas use culverts to avoid disrupting the natural ecosystem and impacting federally protected waters. Culverts made of corrugated metal pipe (CMP) can become damaged over time, compromising the flow of water, which in turn compromises the stream’s health.

When the utility noticed their CMP culverts were becoming damaged in June 2019, they called on their existing relationship with Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc. (WSSI), a Davey company, to put together a plan that would take into consideration the complex permitting requirements needed to replace them.

The Solution

The utility gave WSSI a list of five culverts in Anne Arundel County, MD to replace. Starting with delineation, WSSI provided a soup-to-nuts solution that included permit approval and construction.

WSSI excavated the old pipe using a track hoe and replaced it with a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) culvert. HDPE culverts are less prone to rusting than CMP and have a longer lifespan.

The Results

WSSI completed the replacement project, from permitting to construction, in 6 months.

The utility was impressed with WSSI’s quick turnaround time and ability to complete the project under budget. WSSI is currently in the beginning stages of replacing more culverts for the utility in Baltimore County, MD.

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