Independence Excavating (IX) was contracted to complete a multi-phase data campus project in Richmond, VA. IX was contractor through MC Dean, the electrical contractor on the project. The project involved underground ductbanks, manhole structures, conduit install, precast light pole bases, light pole install, hydro excavation, hauling and exporting of materials. The project consisted of four phases completed continuously. IX mobilized to the campus on March 2022 and is expected to remain on site through June 2026.

The scope of work included excavation and backfilling of over 88,000 LF of MV ductbank and 32,000 LF of telecom ductbank. IX was responsible for installing more than 100,000 LF of conduits. Crews set over 200 power and telecom manhole and vault structures, completed 37,000 LF of building underslab and 66,000 LF of direct bury temp power and grounding.

IX utilized more than 33,665 CY of concrete for ductbank encasement over the lifetime of the project. The site lighting scope included more than 74,000 LF of site lighting trenching, installing and erecting 500+ precast light pole bases and light pole fixtures, and 400 cast-in-place bollard bases. Ix executed extensive hydro excavation support for the successful and safe completion of the scope. Additionally, IX handled 75,000 CY of spoils materials on site, and exported 9,000 CY off site.

Throughout the project, project management teams, field supervision, and crews worked closely with the contractor and GC to properly, safely, and successfully coordinate, complete, and track work progress. In addition to the base scope, IX effectively identified, tracked, and allocated proper manpower to complete design changes and extra work items, without impact to the project schedule. At peak, IX had more than 40 laborers and operators on site. Project and field teams collaborated to track progress, review cost codes, hold weekly coordination meetings, log material delivery, compile extra work tickets, and complete internal pre-pour inspections.

The project demonstrates IX’s capacity to lead large-scale utility project packages, while maintaining pace with aggressive construction schedules and meeting the strict safety, quality, and environmental requirements of mission-critical projects.