California High Speed Rail Project

Performance Utility Supply has been hard at work delivering a ton of materials all over California’s Central Valley. The materials are going to our friends at Valverde Construction and although the demand for construction materials has been much higher than the supply, PUS has been able to perform and keep the Valverde Crew busy with what they need to get the job done. The Valverde crew currently have their hands full installing HDPE pipe and Tier 22 Polymer boxes for underground utilities on the high profile and highly controversial California High-Speed Rail project.

California High-Speed Rail

The California high-speed rail is a massive project that will connect the mega-regions of the state, contribute to economic development and a cleaner environment, create jobs, and preserve agricultural and protected lands. The system will run from San Francisco to the Los Angeles basin in under three hours at speeds capable of over 200 miles per hour. The system will eventually extend to Sacramento and San Diego, totaling 800 miles with up to 24 stations throughout. The California High-Speed Rail Authority

The controversy surrounding the high-speed rail project is nothing new in the world of construction. Every big infrastructure project goes through some sort of controversial episode during its construction. In the case of the CHSR, it has been going on for a long long time. Since 2008, the high-speed rail project has stoked the nerves of California taxpayers and that much time passing has given the rail’s critics a chance to multiply exponentially, each having their own reason to condemn the project. The Atlantic - James Fallows
Nevertheless, the project is moving forward and is starting to gain favor with those involved. Investing in the country’s infrastructure is almost never a misfire regardless of the size of scope and budget. Hopefully, time will tell the story of a high-speed rail that changed the face of Central California for the better and Performance Utility Supply can say that they had a chance to participate in making that change happen.

How are we helping?

The Valverde team is currently working within the 119-mile section of the rail system between Bakersfield to Madera, CA. A few stations will exist within that section of rail and of course, those stations are going to need underground utility systems. That’s where Performance Utility Supply has been able to help.

Learn more about the California High Speed Rail project?

Get the Facts About the California High-Speed Rail

The California High-Speed Rail Project Timeline

The California High-Speed Rail Authority

Dodger Stadium Renovation

https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2019-07-22/dodger-stadium-outfield-renovation

The Performance Utility Supply team has been hard at work delivering materials and logistics to our friends over at Morrow-Meadows for the new Dodger Stadium renovation. The 3rd oldest park in baseball has been updated numerous times over the last 60 years. Since the team was purchased by Guggenheim Baseball Management in 2012, Dodger’s fans have seen over $300 million poured into the beautiful park. (https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2019-07-22/dodger-stadium-outfield-renovation)

Renovations have included plazas at each entrance to give fans more room for concessions, restrooms, and team stores. The latest addition of a new $100-million center field plaza, will finally connect the existing plazas and give fans 360-degrees of access around the perimeter of the park. The renovation will also include a beer garden, 2 sports bars, a children’s play area and a space for pregame and postgame music. The outfield pavilions will connect to the rest of the stadium with an elevator and bridges system.

The new plaza will act as a two-acre tailgating area pregame and postgame, according to Dodgers President and Chief executive, Stan Kastan. Kastan has also expressed his excitement for the park to “finally have a front door,” where fans can enter and then take their time to find their seats and indulge in the many plaza offerings instead of driving directly to the nearest gate to their seats. Performance Utility Supply is equally excited to be a part of the renovation and of the history of the California Landmark that is, Dodger Stadium. Let’s go Dodgers.

If you haven’t been to the park in a while, take a look at where construction was last month in December 2019.

Want to learn more about the renovations at Dodger’s Stadium? Check out the video below or head to the official MLB Dodgers Website @ https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/ballpark/stadium-upgrades

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge Project

One of the coolest projects that we’ve ever been a part of is about to open its doors and we are all pretty excited for it. Star Wars Land, now being called Galaxy’s Edge at the Happiest Place On Earth, will be opening ahead of schedule come May 31st. The big wigs over at the Mouse’s House are all saying that the schedule modification stems from the tremendous amount of interest coming from visiting patrons. That may be true, but we believe those patrons have an army of contractors to thank for the early access. Hundreds of crews from every trade in the book worked tirelessly over the last few years, usually overnight, busting their ass to get the job done early and we were glad to help them get the job done.

To get an idea of the size of this project, here is a picture of one structure under construction last year and then the completed structure surrounded by the rest of the Galaxy’s Edge, including a life size version of the Millenium Falcon this year. The Falcon will be the set for one of the parks coolest attractions, Smuggler’s Run.

Performance Utility Supply provided over a 150 Miles of PVC pipe to our friends at Morrow Meadows, who was part of that army doing the dirty work. Along with the PVC, PUS supplied 3000 feet of Prefab Duct Banks like those shown here. Performance Utility Supply is dedicated to the underground contractor..

When the attraction opens May 31st, Star Wars fans young and old will get the chance to experience a Galaxy Far, Far Away. But, you might want to check out the park blog from time to time to see about reserving tickets to the attraction. You won’t be able to get in with just your ticket to the park. Images of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge are credited to https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/03/star-wars-galaxys-edge-to-open-may-31-at-disneyland-resort-august-29-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/

Big Sky North Project

Performance Utility Supply was able to lend our friends in Rosendin Electric a hand by delivering a whole bunch of black High-Density Polyethylene pipe and HPDE Fusion Machines to their construction site in Antelope Valley.  The pipe is being used for an undergrounding a 230-kV transmission line. The fusion machines take two lengths of the black pipe and connect them together through a high-temperature fusion process. We plan on taking a lot more loads up there over the course of the project.

Rosendin has been working on the Big Sky North Project since last year. They've been contracted through sPower, the largest private owner of operating solar assets in the US, to connect the 230-kV Underground Transmission Line to the existing Big Sky North substation. 

We are always happy to work with our friends at Rosendin Electric and we're going to continue helping by keeping all the HDPE Pipe they need in stock and ready for delivery. It takes teamwork to get the job done.

SR-91 HOV Project

Construction beginning westbound at 14th street
photo courtesy: Project website

Traffic concerns on the 91 freeway have led the Riverside County Transportation Committee to partner with Caltrans in providing commuters with an added Carpool/HOV lane.

This extra driving lane will start at Adams Street and continue to the Riverside Interchange (60-91-215).

This project will benefit vehicles using this route daily, and hopefully clear some of the congestion.

TRAFFIC WEST OF THE 60 INTERCHANGE QUICKLY BUILDS UP
PHOTO COURTESY: RCTC

The overall result will be a state of the art transportation thorough way that serves motorists by adding capacity while easing access to and from the community which better serves businesses, employers and local residents. 

The task project should create 1,500 jobs while they widen 6 miles of the freeway in both directions. Of this project, Performance Utility Supply is excited to announce their participation by providing underground supplies to this large undertaking.

Contracted by Select Electric, assistance has been requested as they too take on the task. PUS will be providing the underground sub-structure materials. 

Beginning in 2012, this job is estimated to continue through the end of 2017. As Caltrans finishes up their work, Select and PUS is just beginning.

For frequent commuters, make sure to check the project lane closures before driving on the 91, as the safety of Caltrans workers’ is top priority.

Project and PUS's partnering with Select Electric solidifies that there is no project they can't handle.

See you on the road...

The Root 66 Community Garden

San Bernardino County has some of the worst access to healthy food options than anywhere else in the State of California, so it's not surprising that a new study this year found Inland Empire residents overall fatter and unhealthier than the average Californian. But a group of concerned locals are trying to change this.

The mission of the non-profit Root 66 Community Garden is to educate local citizens of all ages about the healthful benefits of gardening, while strengthening and building the community. Its intent is to improve the quality of life and access to healthy food options in the Inland Empire region of San Bernardino County. Some of the ways this non-profit will help is by:

• Providing garden plots to anyone with an interest in growing their own food
• Helping low-income families with children
• Donating food to local food banks and homebound seniors
• Revitalizing the local viticulture heritage
• Education in gardening and food production
• Establishing a Farmer's Market

The Root 66 Community Garden Project rests on about 15 acres next to a water channel and electric easement south of Day Creek and Foothill boulevards, south of Victoria Gardens. 

The land, upon which the garden lies, was deeded to the Upland-based Restorative Justice Center of the Inland Empire, a nonprofit that will oversee the community garden's revenue and upkeep. The Restorative Justice Center was founded in 2000 with a mission to find better ways to repair harm when injustices occur.  The lack of access to healthy food within our community is one of those injustices that can be alleviated by this community garden.  Dee Matreyek, the founder of the Root 66 Garden, has a Ph.D in political science from the Claremont Graduate University.  She has worked as a mediator (juvenile victim offender mediation) and trainer of conflict resolution at the California Institute for Woman, Loma Linda University, Chapman University, and in Kenya.  She is a member of and president-elect of the Rotary Club of Rancho Cucamonga, which has adopted the Root 66 Garden as one of its partnership projects.

Korey was approached through some friends to participate in the Root 66 project and he was immediately intrigued by the vision. Korey understands the struggles in today's society and how people often judge others without taking a hard look in the mirror.  He is adamant about giving back to programs that help enrich and rehabilitate the lives of others that normally would not be given the chance.

"I am excited to participate in this endeavor with Dee and the team of people she has put together," said Korey. "It will be a great setting to show kids and families things they just may never see, touch or feel."

Korey Chirkanian working the Backhoe and Zach Chirkanian, Gary Lyttle, Jacob Lyttle and Dillion Lyttle laying pipe

As Performance Utility Supply set to help out the project, Korey experienced this exact situation first-hand when his own child expressed an interest in helping. Korey took his son Zach and Zach's friend Jacob to the site and had them work with the team all day, installing the water and power infrastructure. They carried 20' pieces of 4" PVC pipe - well over 100 yards worth. They laid over 400+ feet, glued caps and pushed pipe into the trenches - and all of this in sweltering 99˚ temperatures.

"When we ended the day and got in the truck, Zach looked at me and said 'Dad, that was fricken' miserable!  But, I feel like I got something done." My response was 'Welcome to the real world son. You did a great job working your butt off and I am proud of you'."

Getting the well pump station in place.

The community garden will rely on volunteers of all ages. You can learn more about the garden, plus check out opportunities to donate time or money, on the Root 66 website. Also, follow them on social media to stay up to date with the latest news:

WEBSITE: http://theroot66garden.org/
FACEBOOK: The Root 66 Community Garden
TWITTER: @TheRoot66Garden

Kaiser Permantente San Diego Central Hospital

Kaiser Permanente has begun construction in Kearny Mesa on it's first new hospital in San Diego in 40 years. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit health plans, serving approximately 9.3 million members. With 528,000 San Diego County members, Kaiser is one of the region's largest health providers.

“Kaiser Permanente’s new central hospital will be a high tech hospital of the future,” said Mary Ann Barnes, senior vice president and executive director for Kaiser Permanente San Diego. “From green design to the latest technology, it will have all the tools to provide our members with the highest quality care in a beautiful, healing and nurturing environment.” 

The 565,000 square feet facility will be built on 19 acres of land with a 1,400 space parking structure, wrap around healing garden and gourmet cafeteria. Inside the seven-story building will be 450 patient rooms which will feature sophisticated technology in telehealth, digital way-finding, clinical informatics and communication. Some of the technology includes patient remote-controlled room environments for blinds, lights, and temperature, plus an interactive entertainment wall for internet, movies, and video chats.

GOING GREEN
The central hospital will be the first in California to earn the LEED Gold health care hospital certification. Besides energy-efficient electrical, air, and plumbing, it will be the first hospital in the nation to use all LED lighting throughout. They will take advantage of natural lighting, a solar photovoltaic system, and active chilled beams in patient rooms. The use of reclaimed water will be for landscaping and the cooling towers.

Working with electrical contractor Morrow-Meadows, Performance Utility Supply has been delivering materials to the Kaiser Permanente jobsite since February 2014.

MATERIALS INCLUDE:
Various sizes on SCH40 conduit, fittings, bends, segments
Glue, empty quart cans and rollers

Korey took a trip to the jobsite in May and you can see the progress on the P.U.S. Instagram.

All Images copyright CO Architects

Carlsbad Desalination Plant

Performance Utility Supply is excited to be a part of a project that will benefit thousands of our friends to the south. The Carlsbad Desalination Project consists of a 50 million gallon per day (56,000 acre-feet per year (AFY)) seawater desalination plant and the associated 10-mile water delivery pipeline. The project is located at the Encina Power Station in the City of Carlsbad.

Desalination has evolved into a desirable water supply alternative by tapping the largest reservoir in the world - the Pacific Ocean. The technology, available for decades, is at work in many arid areas of the world including the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. A 30-year Water Purchase Agreement is in place between the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) and Poseidon for the entire output of the plant. Construction on the plant and pipeline is under way and the Project will be delivering water to the businesses and residents in San Diego County by 2016.

WE NEED WATER
State, regional and local water plans all have confirmed that immediate and pressing water needs cannot be accomplished without some investment in seawater desalination.

• The project will provide 56,000 AFY of new water supply for the San Diego region.
• The CA Department of Water Resources’ 2009 Water Plan Update identifies the need for 275,000 AF of desalinated water by 2025.
• The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Integrated Water Resources Plan identifies a need for 150,000 AFY of seawater desalination (including 56,000 AFY from the Carlsbad project) by the year 2020.
• The San Diego County Water Authority’s (SDCWA) Urban Water Management Plan identifies a need for 56,000 AFY of seawater desalination from the Carlsbad project by 2016.

THE BENEFITS OF THE DESALINATION PLANT
The Carlsbad City Council found that “the desalination plant serves an extraordinary public purpose.”

• Provides high quality drinking water that will compare favorably with existing water supplies.
• Generates up to $5.3 million per year in increased property and business tax revenues.
• 2,300 construction jobs and 500 new permanent jobs.

The project will advance the goals of the Coastal Act to maintain, restore and enhance public access and recreation and maintain, restore and enhance the marine environment through the dedication of more than 15 acres of lagoon and ocean front land for public purposes.

THE CONSTRUCTION
Poseidon Water has contracted with a joint venture of Kiewit Infrastructure West and J.F. Shea Construction, Inc., to design and build the desalination plant and pipeline. IDE Technologies, Ltd., a world leader in desalination technology and operations, will engineer the desalination plant’s design and equipment and handle plant operations.

Construction on the plant began in late 2012 and pipeline construction began in spring of 2013. Pipeline installation is currently underway in Carlsbad and Vista. In San Marcos, construction is nearing completion as crews are working to restore and repave streets where pipeline installation occurred. To keep the public informed about the progress of construction, Poseidon Water will provide regular construction updates on this website related to timing and potential detours and closures. Poseidon Water will work to minimize impacts to nearby businesses, residents, and commuters during construction. We appreciate your patience during this vital water supply project. 

Performance Utility Supply started supplying materials to the Carslbad Desalination Project in April 2013 and is still delivering approximately once a week. Materials include:

• Various sizes of SCH40 conduit, fittings, bends, segments
• Various sizes of GRC coated conduit and bends
• Duct spacers, plugs, custom made reducers, junction box adapters

Performance Utility Supply delivered PVC Conduit, PVC Coated Conduit, Fiberglass Conduit, and Medium Voltage Copper Cable

Here is an introduction video to the Carlsbad Desalination Plant Project:

But let's get into what us dirt heads are really all about: Construction and Toys. Here is a drone flying over the project January 2014:

There is a wealth of information you can find on the Carlsbad Desalination Project Website. Besides that, they have Twitter and Facebook to keep everyone up-to-date. All construction photos are courtesy and copyright CarlsbadDesal on Flickr.

About Poseidon Water
Poseidon Water specializes in developing and financing water infrastructure projects, primarily seawater desalination and water treatment plants. Poseidon’s projects are implemented through innovative public-private partnerships that link private financing with the construction and operation of water supply and treatment projects.

Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement

To better meet today’s growing traffic volumes, the Port of Long Beach has begun a project to replace the Gerald Desmond Bridge. The project is a joint effort of Caltrans and the Port, with funding contributions from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro).

The new bridge will be built with a cable-stayed design. With 200 feet of clearance over the water, the new bridge will be high enough to accommodate the newest generation of the most efficient cargo ships. And with three lanes in each direction plus safety lanes, it will be wider and better able to serve the 68,000 vehicle trips a day and about 18 million trips a year. 

Courtesy of the Port of Long Beach

The route is an important one. The Gerald Desmond Bridge has been designated as a National Highway System Intermodal Connector Route and part of the Federal Strategic Highway Network. It is a critical structure serving the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, the City of Long Beach, Los Angeles and Orange counties and the nation.

Courtesy of the Port of Long Beach

Construction of the new bridge and removal of the existing bridge is expected to take five years starting in early 2013. During construction, the current bridge will remain in use for drivers and will be taken down once the new bridge is completed and open. The bridge project will generate, on average, about 3,000 jobs for the five years of building the new bridge and taking down the existing structure. 

Courtesy of the Port of Long Beach

PROJECT BENEFITS: 

• Three lanes in each direction for improved traffic flow
• Emergency lanes on both sides to reduce traffic delays and safety hazards from accidents and vehicle breakdowns
• A 200-foot vertical clearance to accommodate the world’s largest, “greener” vessels
• A reduction in the bridge’s steep grades, for further improvements to traffic flow
• A planned bike/pedestrian path with scenic overlooks
• Additional improvements include reconstruction of the Terminal Island East Interchange and the I-710/Gerald Desmond Bridge Interchange 

Courtesy of the Port of Long Beach

PERFORMANCE UTILITY SUPPLY ON THE JOB

Performance Utility Supply started delivering materials to the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project in August 2013. Some of the materials include:

• Various sizes on SCH40 conduit, fittings, bends, segments
• Various sizes on SCH80 conduit
• EMT (Electrical Metallic Tubing) conduit
• Fiberglass risers
• Yellow poly rope, purple primer, glue, ground rods & clamps,  copper wire, expandable plugs, duct spacers
• Custom made 20" Full Complement Bore Spacer with 4 ea. 5" & 1ea. 2" Sch40 PVC Conduits made of 3/4" HDPE

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT

WEBSITE: www.newgdbridge.com 

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/newgdbridge 

TWITTER: @newgdbridge 

YOUTUBE: LBBridgeProject 

All Photos courtesy of the Port of Long Beach
Information Provided by the Port of Long Beach Fact Sheet

Supplying Materials To HP Communications

Under the hot desert sun, HP Crew is using a Condux Fiber Optic Cable Blower to blow microfiber into Duraline's 10/8 microduct.

Performance Utility Supply recently supplied materials to our client, HP Communications, for their telecommunications project. HP Communications is full turnkey OSP/ISP contractor whose mission statement parallels Performance Utility Supply's: committing themselves to quality and the highest standards of workmanship. They have offices across the United States with over 300 in-house employees. 

This particular project has HP Communications laying the fiber optic cable and microduct for the Zayo Group, who is constructing and operating a telecommunications equipment shelter for a fiber optic regeneration facility. The purpose of the equipment shelter is to regenerate the fiber optic signal and be used for data transfer. The project includes cast in place concrete foundations, a pre-manufacture equipment shelter, and back up generator.

Left: HP is blowing microfiber into the "white" 10/8 microduct. Right: Condux Fiber Optic Blower

Performance Utility Supply worked with Chris Dotinga, San Diego Project Manager at HP Communications, to supply them with Duraline 8/10 Microduct & OFS Microfiber. Microduct is very small in size and the fiber is even smaller because it goes inside the microduct. Duraline MicroDuct allows you to expand your fiber network and increase bandwidth as your needs increase. To get the microfiber into the microduct, HP is using a CONDUX Fiber Optic Cable Blower; the Gulfstream 400 deluxe fiber-optic blower.

You can see a video of it in action by clicking here.

It will run from El Centro, CA to Yuma, AZ; around 60 miles of cable.

Left: The HP crew making it all happen! Right: Laying out figure-8 fiber.