A 10-inch, 70-foot section of potable water main running through the center of town in a high-volume traffic area under active railroad tracks in Bethel was shut down for rehabilitation – but only for 36 hours. The existing host pipe comprised of cast iron was showing significant signs of aging. Rather than replace the pipe, it was decided that utilizing Primus Line® was the best rehabilitation option.
Vibrations generated by rail traffic on the surface are transmitted in the form of waves into the soil and directly impact the utilities below. Rigid lining solutions result in failure because they cannot handle repetitive movement of the surrounding soil. The Primus Liner with its aramid-reinforcement, however, does not adhere to the host pipe and offers an optimal solution: It is flexible and easy to install.
In June of 2020, 70 feet of the cast iron pipe was rehabilitated quickly and inexpensively while active trains crossed the excavation area. The pipe was cleaned and inspected in accordance to Primus Line specifications. The installation of the Primus Liner DN 250 10-inch and two Primus Line 10-inch low pressure connectors for reintegration into the existing water main was successful, taking only one day to complete.
This railroad crossing application illustrates once more the unique strengths of Primus Line® in hard-to-imagine situations without any other solution.
