Cross pipe replacement began July 1 and was completed July 19th.

At each cross pipe location the old pipe is removed.  As you can see the steel pipe has disintegrated from rust due to age.  The ditch for the pipe is dug to a predetermined grade.  All creatures and objects large and small are  found in our pipe trenches.  This is 3-foot garter snake.  The basketball ball was found stuck in the middle of one cross pipe.  Large cement blocks 2' x 2' x 6' are used to provide end walls to limit erosion.  The ditch is prepared by placing about 3 inches of #57 stone bedding.  The pipes are placed in the ditch and backfilled at least half way with stone.  Then the remaining ditch is filled with gravel, compacted and smoothed over with the backhoe.  The old pipe is trucked back to the Township Building for later recycling.  Most pipe locations are getting two new plastic cross pipes.  One waterway required five pipes side-by-side.

Pictures taken July 1-16, 2002

In the 'old days' when the spring roads were soft...

The farmers and residents often encountered soft, springtime road conditions.  Their solution was to place tree trunks, slab wood or railroad ties along with rocks picked from their fields into the soft, impassable areas.  Here are two tree trunks and rocks being excavated as we are cutting a trench to install a new cross pipe.

Pictures taken July 15, 2002

On Rain days we're working on ditching and driveways

A jet truck from National Vacuum was used to clear mud from two 40-foot well casings used as gas well driveway pipes.  The truck pumps high pressure water into a hose with a special nozzle.  The high pressure water stream blasts the debris from the pipe.  James Ireland and Dave Kelly show the nozzle.

Pictures taken July 9, 2002

Under drain installation was completed June 28

Under drain locations were selected based on past soft, spring-time road conditions.  At each location a diagonal trench is cut through a soft area.  Loose material is removed from the trench.  AdvanEdge drain is installed.  This drain tile is about 12" high and 1.5 inches wide, is wrapped with filter fabric and fits neatly in the trench.  The trench is then backfilled with crushed limestone to slightly below the original road level.  A backhoe is used to cover over and smooth the surface.  This project is using a trencher from PennDOT under the Agility Program.  Our PennDOT Agility operator is Robert "Bucky" Buckwalter.

Pictures taken June 26, 2002

Preparatory work.

Monday, Aug 12, we received the geotextile fabric and unloaded it at three stockpile locations. 

Pictures taken August 12, 2002