This project included excavation and temporary excavation support for the Loudoun County Raw Water Intake. Drill and blast excavation was performed near a very high-end residential community on the bank of the Potomac River in Leesburg, VA. Mitigation of stakeholder impacts included multiple innovative blasting techniques to reduce the air pressure and vibration, in addition to thorough monitoring of blasting operations.

A temporary cofferdam was constructed at the Potomac riverbank to allow for tunnel portal excavation to be implemented. Drill Tech designed the shaft and tunnel ground support in addition to performing the work. Excavation support consisted of 2″ thick shotcrete and rock bolting in the shaft and tunnel with permanent structural steel sets near the river intake portal.