UCA Rehabilitation Project of the Year Winner: Culy Contracting

This year's Underground Construction Technology Conference (UCT) in Orlando, FL hosted the inaugural Underground Construction Awards (UCAs) - The UCAs will honor accomplishments, projects, and technology advanced in underground infrastructure. 

We had the honor of submitting industry friends Culy Contracting (IN) for their work on the "Sinkhole Rehab Solution Under Cloverleaf Expressway in Evansville, IN" project for the Rehabilitation project of the Year - which they won out of four finalists! Congratulations to the entire Culy Team!

Project Description: The city of Evansville, Ind., was experiencing significant sink holes of about 60 and 72 inches in reinforced concrete pipes on the inside of the cloverleaf on US 41/Lloyd Expressway which is located near the Ohio River and downtown Evansville. After inspection by the City and Arcadis (engineer), it was determined that the pipe was deemed to be in good structural condition, but the joints needed to be sealed and the loose soils and voids surrounding the pipe stabilized to eliminate the danger of future sinkholes in the area. The Expressway averages an average of 100,000 motorists every day, so the safety of the community was at danger. After careful consideration, it was approved to use injection grouting for the job, specifically using hydrophobic polyurethane grouts from Avanti. The job was awarded to Culy Contracting of Winchester, Ind. Culy is an experienced underground utility infrastructure contractor with over 40 years in the construction business.

Through Phase 1 of the project (June 2021 – November 2021) and Phase 2 June 2022 – August 2022), Culy injection grouted approximately 12,000 gallons Avanti hydrophobic polyurethane grouts. The grout was injected through the pipe joints and into the surrounding soil, filling voids, stabilizing the pipe and creating a waterproof barrier for infiltration. Due to the cloverleaf, the pipes had to be internally bypassed.  After the completion of grouting, the joints were coated using Madewell’s Mainstay ML-72 and Epoxytec’s Cladliner, and over 4,000 linear feet of the pipes were cleaned. Culy Contracting executed the project on time and on budget for Evansville.

Learn more about the finalists for each category and the winners of each category!