Frankenmuth River Water Main Bore

After concrete rocks broke an 8-inch cast-iron water main in the Cass River near the M-83 bridge in downtown Frankenmuth, Spicer Group was hired by the city to assess the damage and provide solutions for the Frankenmuth Department of Public Works to continue providing service to its customers. A new 10-inch high density polyethylene water main was directionally drilled beneath the river slightly west of the broken water main and by using a thick rock-head drill with a specialized bore tip, the contractor directionally drilled through tough shale and rock beneath the river. That pipe was then tied into two existing water mains to completely replace the broken cast-iron water main. A new pressure reducing valve vault was also designed and installed as part of this project to help regulate the pressure zone throughout the water system on the north and south sides of the river in the city.