Transforming 110 Acres into Project's Processing and Transportation Facility

In 2002, when EPA selected dredging for the Upper Hudson River, it concluded that a facility needed to be constructed for the processing of sediments removed during dredging. EPA undertook an effort to identify and evaluate potential sites for the processing and support facilities.

In 2005, EPA identified 110 acres of vacant property in the Town and Village of Fort Edward, N.Y., as the most suitable location for the Processing and Transportation Facility needed to support the Upper Hudson dredging project. The property is located in between the Champlain Canal and a main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Selection of the site by EPA enabled GE to complete the engineering design of the facility, which has been approved by EPA. GE?s contractors began construction in April 2007. GE selected D.A. Collins Construction Co. of Mechanicville, Saratoga County, and two other New York State firms, RailWorks Track Services Inc., a subsidiary of RailWorks Corp. of New York City, and Sevenson Environmental Services, Inc., of Niagara Falls, to perform the work.

Significant Progress Already Accomplished

The main entrance to the Processing and Transportation Facility is located at Route 196 in the Town of Kingsbury, an established truck route. This new two-mile road, connecting the facility to Route 196, opened for project-related vehicles and public use last summer. A traffic signal has been installed at the intersection. Work also has been completed on a bridge that was constructed over the Feeder Canal as part of the access road, along with five culvert crossings at Bond Creek and the Champlain Canal diversion channel.

Three miles of perimeter and interior security fencing have been installed. Work trailers have been situated on-site and a parking area established for employee vehicles.

Approximately 150,000 cubic yards of soil were excavated on-site for regrading, primarily in areas near the rail yard. Approximately 90,000 cubic yards of structural fill were brought in to support the rail yard and all paved areas.

Protective Barrier

Nearly 267,000 square yards of high-density flexible geomembrane liner were delivered to the site in large rolls. This liner was welded together and installed, after grading, where dredged sediments will be handled or processed to protect underlying soils. Seven acres of stormwater basins and 14,500 feet of drainage pipe were installed to collect any water falling on work areas. This water will be routed to the on-site water treatment plant being constructed now.

Utilities have been brought to the site, including seven electrical substations, 5,000 feet of electric conduit, and 8,000 feet of water line. An estimated 55,000 square yards of haul roads and work areas are in the process of being paved.

New Buildings Now Erected; Steel Framework, Roofs Being Finished

Three buildings have now been erected on the property: a 7,000-square-foot rail maintenance building to support activities at the rail yard; a 41,000-square-foot sediment dewatering building where water will be pressed out of dredged sediments; and a two-million-gallon-a-day water treatment plant. In addition, one of two, 400-foot-long, 50-foot-high storage areas has been completed. Processed sediments will be temporarily staged here before being loaded onto railcars for transport to a disposal facility in Texas.

Wharf Development

To ensure non-project-related boats can still pass through the Champlain Canal when barges are being unloaded at the wharf during dredging, the Champlain Canal has been widened by 65 feet near the facility. Soils removed from the banks have been transported to the southern perimeter of the site and formed into a 15-foot-high soil berm which will shield nearby property owners from site operations and noise.

Along the shoreline, 100 steel pipe piles have been installed, as well as 250 tons of structural steel to support wharf equipment. Mooring posts also have been installed in the water and concrete platforms placed on top. Ultimately, the new wharf will include a 1,450-foot barge unloading facility with a work/maintenance wharf and 40,000 square feet of pavement.

Rail Yard Now Complete

At the other side of the property, almost seven miles of railroad track have been installed, including repair and inspection tracks. Two controlled switches that will be installed at either end of the new yard will connect to the existing Canadian Pacific main line.