Hanson Pipe & Precast, a leader in the concrete products industry, is providing more than 3 miles of reinforced concrete pipe, almost 2,000 feet of railroad crossings, more than 40 feet pedestrian crossings and a large quantity of other precast concrete products for a new light rail transit project initiated by the Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) in partnership with the city of Norfolk, Va. The Norfolk light rail transit, The Tide, will service downtown Norfolk and Norfolk State University.
The city of Norfolk, federal and state government are partnering to fund the more than $230 million light rail system, which will extend 7.4 miles from Eastern Virginia Medical Center to the Virginia Beach Border. The Tide will have 11 stations, including four park and ride locations, and will carry an estimated 6,000 to 12,000 people per day.
Hanson Pipe & Precast was selected for the project by Skanska USA Civil Southeast inc / G. W. Peoples Contracting Company, under contract to HRT, to design, manufacture and transport its products from the company’s Virginia locations in Chesapeake, Richmond, Hanover and Salem.
“Our products provide the structural accuracy with real-world advantages so this project will run as efficiently as possible,” said Richard Manning, president of Hanson Building Products North America. “Hanson is dedicated to improving and enhancing our infrastructure and is proud to be a part of Norfolk’s expansion, while protecting its citizens and environment as they travel throughout the region.”
Bob Christensen, senior vice president of Hanson Building Products East region added, “It was important that the right products be chosen for this project that takes place in an environmentally sensitive area. Our railroad crossings are sufficient in proximities close to water and provide easy transportation in high-traffic areas, while our precast products meet infrastructure needs.”
Hanson Pipe & Precast is supplying more than 1,800 track feet of its Premier® Modular Railroad Crossing and almost 45 feet of pedestrian crossings. Installed where the rail intersects the light rail system, the Premier crossings are tie less and require less city maintenance and shorter road closure time during installation.
Hanson is also supplying more than 3.3 miles of Class III and V reinforced concrete pipe ranging from 15 to 60 inches diameter, more than 275 precast storm and sanitary structures and 340 feet of 6’x8’ precast box culverts. Hanson’s systems will divert stormwater away from the light rail system and move sanitary sewer safely toward the treatment facility, ensuring that wastewater is not mixed with clean water supplies and that the environment is protected in the tidewater area.
Construction for The Tide, Norfolk light rail system, is underway and is expected to be operational in 2010. For more information please visit www.ridethetide.com.
About Hanson Pipe & Precast
Hanson Pipe & Precast is the largest manufacturer of concrete pipe and precast products in North America. With more than 4,800 employees, the company has a network of manufacturing facilities and delivery capabilities that span the continent. Hanson Pipe & Precast products are used in residential and commercial applications that support our infrastructure’s needs, including storm water drainage and water transportation. For more information, visit www.hansonpipeandprecast.com.
About Hanson Building Products North America
Hanson Building Products North America is comprised of Hanson Pipe & Precast, Hanson Pressure Pipe, Hanson Structural Precast, Hanson Brick, Hanson Hardscapes and Hanson Roof Tile. Based in Irving, Texas, Hanson Building Products North America employs more than 6,000 people and operates 150 facilities with products available throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information, please visit www.hanson.com.
We are part of the HeidelbergCement Group, which employs 70,000 people across five continents. HeidelbergCement is the global leader in aggregates and has leading positions in cement, concrete and heavy building products.