3.26.09 - Tri-State called in to complete Hole from Hell
T-Mobile is rejoicing over Tri-State’s successful completion of what became known as the “hole from hell,” in St. Paul, MN. After the original foundation contractor spent nearly three months toiling over numerous problems, T-Mobile threw up their hands and called Tri-State in. A very high water table, silty soils and a 10-foot top layer containing concrete rubble all made the drilling of this 7-foot diameter, 62-foot deep hole especially difficult. To contend with the high water table, Tri-State elevated a drill rig on crane mats and installed an 8-foot dia., 40-foot-long temporary casing to about 34 feet below grade. They then flooded the hole, drilled the shaft and installed the rebar, concrete and anchor bolts—a piece of cake! Of course it always helps to have a good master plan and a crackerjack crew.
3.23.09 - Tri-State conveys Safety Messages Swiftly
FYI! Tri-State Drilling Safety Manager, Dick (Swanie) Swanson and staffer Julie Bjorklund have developed this simple and effective method of getting important information to crews near and far. The red, 2-inch block letters draw employees’ attention to safety bulletins, new company policies, innovative ideas or reminders to be careful when working in adverse conditions.
The trick, according to “Swanie”, is keeping the information relevant to each employee who receives it. “Keeping it real will keep it being read,” he says. And since the FYI notices are sent out in pay envelopes (as well as email and fax blasts), there is rarely a problem with them being overlooked.
3.18.09 - N.P.P.D. Project proceeds apace
Despite a record-cold winter, Tri-State is keeping pace with a break-neck schedule on Nebraska Public Power’s fast-track, 80-mile Electric Reliability 345 kV transmission line project. Since September, twenty Tri-State employees, working in three to four crews have constructed approximately 150 foundations, using over 10,000 yards of concrete and 1.5 million pounds of rebar. Holes range in size from 6 feet in diameter by 30 feet deep to monstrous 11.5-foot wide holes with depths of up to 75 feet. Foundations for the line, which stretches from north of Columbus south to Lincoln, are scheduled for a July completion.
3.3.09 - Tri-State Featured in Lignite Energy Council Newsletter
An industry sponsor group, the Lignite Energy Council, features Tri-State in their March Newsletter. The story can be found by clicking here. .jpg)