Featured Project
Wilmington Organic Recycling Center
Wilmington, DE
EDiS Company
Completion Date:
January 2011
Wilmington, DE
EDiS Company
Completion Date:
January 2011
Project Description
This project is located on approximately 27 acres near Christiana Avenue adjacent to the Port of Wilmington. The site was a Brownfields Site that was remediated prior to the construction of the project. The facility was designed to become a state-of-the-art commercial food and yard waste composting facility. The basic premise of the facility is to turn organic waste into compost. This facility will divert hundreds of tons of organic waste that would previously been placed in local landfills.
Corrado Construction was responsible for providing and installing sediment and erosion controls under the direct oversight of DNREC. The site was unbalanced and in need of fill material to bring the site to the design grade. Corrado Construction imported in excess of 30,000 cubic yards of material to meet the design elevations. In addition to the fill materials, Corrado Construction provided approximately 19,000 tons of both recycled asphalt and recycled concrete to meet the appropriate graded aggregate specifications and depths. Additionally, over 11,600 tons of asphalt paving was placed for the composting area, the bio-filter area, surround parking and railroad crossings.
Design and Craftsmanship
Corrado Construction participated in conjunction with EDiS and the Peninsula Composting Group in developing an appropriate plan and schedule that would meet the unique challenges of the design, while remaining within budgetary parameters. One of the most unique challenges from a design standpoint was the fact that this was a one of a kind state-of-the-art facility. No facility like it had previously been built in the eastern United States. Much of the construction and equipment was adapted from similar European designs.
Meeting the Challenges of a Difficult Project
From the start, this project had an aggressive schedule; beginning in early May 2009 and with a goal of being operational by December 2009. This schedule obviously demanded a great deal of coordination and cooperation between all trades. Weather is always a factor in the successful development of site projects, and this project was no different. Corrado Construction’s field supervision and personnel continued to find ways to maintain site drainage, stabilize graded areas, and provide a workable surface for all trades to progress and ultimately meet the goals of the project.
“We made the decision to subcontract with Corrado Construction on the site work related to the Wilmington Organic Recycling Center on the basis of their knowledge of this type of work in this brownfield location. Schedule was a key element in our decision as this facility had to be turned over before 31 December 2009. From the first day on the job to the final punch list, Corrado Construction performed above our expectations. Their field supervision and field personnel were always focused on quality work and production. I can safely say that Corrado Construction was instrumental and a key partner in the success of this project.” - E. Andrew DiSabatino, Jr., CEO, EDiS Company
Unique challenges were presented with regard to much of the design being an adaptation of a European design. This included drawings and designs that began in metric measures and then were converted to feet and inches. Additional drain piping and mechanical systems were provided from overseas suppliers, and arrived on site in dimensions that did not easily match up with standard American piping products. Constant “on the fly” adaptations were implemented to meet quality and schedule demands.
Existing business operations also presented scheduling conflicts and challenges. A system of railroad tracks ran through the existing site, which was used to move scrap metal in bulk to and from the Port of Wilmington for recycling by neighboring businesses. These businesses were operating before the construction of this project and maintained regular business operations throughout the construction. This led to the need to jack and bore utilities under the tracks, as well as restoration and improvements to the tracks for future operations.
This project is located on approximately 27 acres near Christiana Avenue adjacent to the Port of Wilmington. The site was a Brownfields Site that was remediated prior to the construction of the project. The facility was designed to become a state-of-the-art commercial food and yard waste composting facility. The basic premise of the facility is to turn organic waste into compost. This facility will divert hundreds of tons of organic waste that would previously been placed in local landfills.
Corrado Construction was responsible for providing and installing sediment and erosion controls under the direct oversight of DNREC. The site was unbalanced and in need of fill material to bring the site to the design grade. Corrado Construction imported in excess of 30,000 cubic yards of material to meet the design elevations. In addition to the fill materials, Corrado Construction provided approximately 19,000 tons of both recycled asphalt and recycled concrete to meet the appropriate graded aggregate specifications and depths. Additionally, over 11,600 tons of asphalt paving was placed for the composting area, the bio-filter area, surround parking and railroad crossings.
Design and Craftsmanship
Corrado Construction participated in conjunction with EDiS and the Peninsula Composting Group in developing an appropriate plan and schedule that would meet the unique challenges of the design, while remaining within budgetary parameters. One of the most unique challenges from a design standpoint was the fact that this was a one of a kind state-of-the-art facility. No facility like it had previously been built in the eastern United States. Much of the construction and equipment was adapted from similar European designs.
Meeting the Challenges of a Difficult Project
From the start, this project had an aggressive schedule; beginning in early May 2009 and with a goal of being operational by December 2009. This schedule obviously demanded a great deal of coordination and cooperation between all trades. Weather is always a factor in the successful development of site projects, and this project was no different. Corrado Construction’s field supervision and personnel continued to find ways to maintain site drainage, stabilize graded areas, and provide a workable surface for all trades to progress and ultimately meet the goals of the project.
“We made the decision to subcontract with Corrado Construction on the site work related to the Wilmington Organic Recycling Center on the basis of their knowledge of this type of work in this brownfield location. Schedule was a key element in our decision as this facility had to be turned over before 31 December 2009. From the first day on the job to the final punch list, Corrado Construction performed above our expectations. Their field supervision and field personnel were always focused on quality work and production. I can safely say that Corrado Construction was instrumental and a key partner in the success of this project.” - E. Andrew DiSabatino, Jr., CEO, EDiS Company
Unique challenges were presented with regard to much of the design being an adaptation of a European design. This included drawings and designs that began in metric measures and then were converted to feet and inches. Additional drain piping and mechanical systems were provided from overseas suppliers, and arrived on site in dimensions that did not easily match up with standard American piping products. Constant “on the fly” adaptations were implemented to meet quality and schedule demands.
Existing business operations also presented scheduling conflicts and challenges. A system of railroad tracks ran through the existing site, which was used to move scrap metal in bulk to and from the Port of Wilmington for recycling by neighboring businesses. These businesses were operating before the construction of this project and maintained regular business operations throughout the construction. This led to the need to jack and bore utilities under the tracks, as well as restoration and improvements to the tracks for future operations.
Innovation in Construction Techniques and Materials
Wilmington Organic Recycling Center was designed and built to reduce the amount of organic waste produced and convert it into a usable product rather than disposal in a landfill. In keeping with the basic purpose of the facility, Corrado Construction utilized the same type of “green” innovation with regard to construction materials used. In the paved areas of the site, Corrado Construction provided and graded recycled concrete as well as recycled asphalt as an alternative to importing stone from a quarry. Overall, more than 19,000 tons of recycled products were used in lieu of traditional stone in paved areas. The use of recycled materials met both the design specifications and the total philosophy behind the construction of this facility.
“Construction of the Wilmington Organic Recycling Center had many obstacles to overcome during mass grading and construction: soft compressible soils, an unbalanced site, weather and drainage restrictions, and environmental constraints just to name a few. Corrado Construction’s cooperation, planning, and diligent hard work helped the general contractor construct this one-of-a-kind recycling facility within the proposed timeline and budget. The utilization of recycled “green” materials provided an all-weather working surface during construction for a very large area. In addition, Corrado Construction’s foresight and planning allowed other contractors to perform their work on various parts of the site while mass grading operations were still under way. The high quality fill materials and staging efforts were key in reducing costs associated with over-excavations of contaminated soils. Once again, Corrado Construction delivered.” - Edwin Williams, Project Manager, GeoTechnology Associates
Summary
"The cooperation between EDiS, ourselves, and the other trades on site was the key element in this project being complete in a timely fashion and opening on schedule. All of the contractors on this project worked closely together to merge schedules and manpower providing the productivity needed to complete this very difficult project on budget and on schedule.
We are proud to have been a part of not just the construction of this project, but in the basic philosophy of the facility as well. We have performed work at landfills and understand the need for conservation of space and resources. Additionally, we perform our own recycling of concrete and asphalt as a way to reuse what would otherwise be disposed of as waste in landfills. This project allowed us to participate in the construction of a facility that coincides with our own business principles, as well as affording us the opportunity to utilize our own recycled products as a successful contribution.” - Joseph Corrado, Jr., President, Corrado Construction Company
Corrado Construction proudly presented the following contributions to meet the challenges of this project:
Wilmington Organic Recycling Center was designed and built to reduce the amount of organic waste produced and convert it into a usable product rather than disposal in a landfill. In keeping with the basic purpose of the facility, Corrado Construction utilized the same type of “green” innovation with regard to construction materials used. In the paved areas of the site, Corrado Construction provided and graded recycled concrete as well as recycled asphalt as an alternative to importing stone from a quarry. Overall, more than 19,000 tons of recycled products were used in lieu of traditional stone in paved areas. The use of recycled materials met both the design specifications and the total philosophy behind the construction of this facility.
“Construction of the Wilmington Organic Recycling Center had many obstacles to overcome during mass grading and construction: soft compressible soils, an unbalanced site, weather and drainage restrictions, and environmental constraints just to name a few. Corrado Construction’s cooperation, planning, and diligent hard work helped the general contractor construct this one-of-a-kind recycling facility within the proposed timeline and budget. The utilization of recycled “green” materials provided an all-weather working surface during construction for a very large area. In addition, Corrado Construction’s foresight and planning allowed other contractors to perform their work on various parts of the site while mass grading operations were still under way. The high quality fill materials and staging efforts were key in reducing costs associated with over-excavations of contaminated soils. Once again, Corrado Construction delivered.” - Edwin Williams, Project Manager, GeoTechnology Associates
Summary
"The cooperation between EDiS, ourselves, and the other trades on site was the key element in this project being complete in a timely fashion and opening on schedule. All of the contractors on this project worked closely together to merge schedules and manpower providing the productivity needed to complete this very difficult project on budget and on schedule.
We are proud to have been a part of not just the construction of this project, but in the basic philosophy of the facility as well. We have performed work at landfills and understand the need for conservation of space and resources. Additionally, we perform our own recycling of concrete and asphalt as a way to reuse what would otherwise be disposed of as waste in landfills. This project allowed us to participate in the construction of a facility that coincides with our own business principles, as well as affording us the opportunity to utilize our own recycled products as a successful contribution.” - Joseph Corrado, Jr., President, Corrado Construction Company
Corrado Construction proudly presented the following contributions to meet the challenges of this project:
- Schedule – The project was completed and the facility operational in less than 8 months.
- Coordination and cooperation with multiple other contractors to maintain accessibility and progress
- Imported nearly 30,000 cubic yards of fill materials; the majority of which was imported in the first month.
- Imported and placed over 19,000 tons of recycled asphalt and concrete for graded aggregate base course.
- Placement of over 11,600 tons of asphalt paving.
- Maintained existing operations and railroad track access during construction
- Complied and maintained erosion and sediment controls under the direct inspection of DNREC.
