May 21, 2002 -- Kenny Construction Co., a licensee of Inliner Technologies Inc., has begun renewal of approximately 9,900 feet of sewer pipe for the Merrillville Conservancy District.
The $2.5 million project involves installation of Paoli-based Inliner Technologies' method of cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) to renew the city's main interceptor line, which runs from Country Club Drive on the south side of Merrillville, northwest through Calumet Township to the Gary Sanitary District. Built in the 1980s, the 48-inch concrete interceptor line is failing due to corrosion from hydrogen sulfide gas.
"It's surprising that this line has deteriorated," said Christine Savarese, district manager for the Merrillville Conservancy District, noting that the others installed as part of the same project were in good shape.
The interceptor pipe is the largest in the district's system, and was designed to accommodate the larger volume that 20 years of growth would bring, Savarese added. The district believes that the initial, smaller flow velocities - which tend to be more turbulent - resulted in an increased production of hydrogen sulfide gas, which caused the excessive corrosion.
Ralph Bonanotte, general manager of Kenny Inliner, is overseeing the project for Kenny Construction. Indianapolis-based R.W. Armstrong is the civil engineer, with Jim Flora serving as principal-in-charge and Gary Miller as design manager. Paul Volk, chairman of the board, is overseeing the project with Savarese for the Merrillville Conservancy District.
About CIPP
CIPP technology allows for the rehabilitation of damaged underground wastewater and storm sewer pipe without excavating. The process reduces noise, traffic disturbance, and road damage - and can be done in a
shorter time frame and for less cost than replacing existing lines. With Inliner's method, a felt sleeve - saturated with resin and coated with a waterproof layer - is inserted into the pipe. Hot water is circulated through the sleeve, which hardens the resin. This material serves as a barrier between the damaged pipe and the wastewater that flows through it; or as a new stand-alone pipe.
Kenny Construction Company began in Chicago in 1927 as a specialized construction firm to assist utility companies. Recently, Kenny operates as a full-service General Contractor, Construction Manager and Program Manager for both private and public developers. The company's divisions include: Building, Power & Industrial; Underground; Tunnel; Transportation and Program Management. Kenny managed the Midway Airport Terminal Redevelopment Project and is a joint contractor for the Soldier Field renovations in Chicago.
Inliner Technologies Inc. is one of the largest CIPP companies in the U.S., with five licensees performing pipe renewal projects throughout the nation. Licensees include Reynolds, Inc.; Western Slope Utilities; Kenny Construction Co.; Lametti & Sons; and E.E. Cruz Inliner Inc. Inliner Technologies' headquarters are located at 1468 West Hospital Road, Paoli, Ind. For more information, please visit www.inliner.net.