From start to finish, BBI provided Utility Engineering Services relocation designs for all distribution and transmission facilities...

• Power Distribution
• Natural Gas
• Telecommunication
• Utility Coordination
• Utility

From start to finish, BBI provided Utility Engineering Services relocation designs for all distribution and transmission facilities, all natural gas facilities, and fiber optic designs within the 25 mile stretch of IH-10 (Katy Freeway).

Responsible for utility design including:

Electric Distribution Overview:

• Replaced 45 aerial crossings with underground
• 42 horizontal directional drill (HDD) crossings
• 3 auger bore crossings
• Engineered excavation pits

Natural Gas Facilities Overview:

• Over 25 miles of natural gas lines were installed
• Polyethylene plastic and steel pipe were used
• Main pipe diameters ranged from 2” up to 12”
• Design pressures: Intermediate Pressure (IP) and High Pressure (HP)
• Hundreds of commercial and residential gas service lines
• Open cut and horizontal directional drill (HDD) methods

Electric Transmission Overview:

• Replaced overhead tower-mounted transmission facilities with underground duct banks
• Relocated over 11 miles of 138 kV transmission line under frontage roads
• Installed dual 9-8” PVC concrete encased duct banks
• Open trench, horizontal directional drill, and auger bore methods were used

Fiber Optic Overview:

• A T & T OSP Underground Fiber Relocations
• Phonoscope OSP Underground Fiber Relocations
• TV Max OSP Underground Fiber Relocations
• Installed 3 - 1 1/4” Multi-colored HDPE Innerducts

Responsible for the coordination of construction schedules, permitting, and approval with TxDOT, City of Houston, Harris County Flood Control District, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Texas Historical Commission, as well as with various Departments within CenterPoint Energy.  All designs were in accordance with CenterPoint Energy policies and guidelines, as well as with federal, state, and municipality requirements.

Binkley & Barfield, Inc. is the only certified vendor selected by CenterPoint Energy to provide utility engineering for all six services, including electric distribution, natural gas distribution, natural gas transmission, electric transmission, telecom, and inspections. 

Together we are the one source for utility engineering services. 

On what is referred to as a Houston “danger zone,” the 610/290 project will improve traffic flow and congested roadways ...

• Natural Gas
• Utility

On what is referred to as a Houston “danger zone,” the 610/290 project will improve traffic flow and congested roadways, which have contributed to over 200 vehicle accidents per year. Binkley & Barfield, Inc. provided the critical first step by providing relocation designs for all natural gas facilities located along this congested 4 mile interchange section of US 290 and IH 610. 

 Providing complete natural gas utility services, project responsibilities include:

• conflict analysis
• field surveying
• subsurface utility engineering (SUE)
• records research
• utility agreement
• relocation design
• plan and profile drawings
• cost estimates
• utility coordination
• permitting
• construction management

Overall, this project consisted of installation of over 4 miles of polyethylene plastic and steel pipe.  The main pipe diameters ranged from 2” up to 12” of Intermediate Pressure (IP) and High Pressure (HP) lines.  Designs for open cut and horizontal directional drill (HDD) methods were used, keeping in accordance with CenterPoint Energy policies and guidelines, as well as with state and municipality requirements. 

This project will extend the IH-10 West and IH-610 reconstruction, where Binkley & Barfield provided complete utility services.  We support communities by providing utility designs for much needed infrastructure relief, aiming to reduce delays and injuries for the 250,000 vehicles traveling through this intersection on a daily basis. 

Optimizing value for the communities our clients serve...

• Power Distribution
• Telecommunication
• Utility

Optimizing value for the communities our clients serve, BBI prepared a complete Feasibility Study Report on the relocation of 2 ½ miles of overhead electric, telecommunications, fiber optic and service lines.  The report outlined three alternatives to give a comprehensive evaluation of options in several budget ranges.

• Alternative 1 – Relocation of existing overhead circuits and equipment to alternative locations; i.e., back lots, rear of properties.

• Alternative 2 – Replacement of portions of existing overhead circuits with underground circuits; i.e., removal of some poles to be replaced with underground circuits, leaving poles that directly feed to businesses and residences.

• Alternative 3 – Replacement of all existing overhead circuits with underground circuits and pad-mounted switch and transformer pads.   

BBI provides our clients the information they need to make informed decisions to improve our communities while keeping budget in mind.

Preserving the integrity of our historic communities...

• Natural Gas
• Utility

Preserving the integrity of our historic communities, BBI provided complete utility engineering services for the replacement and relocation of an aging steel gas line hung under the historic Sabine Street Bridge.  The project included replacing the gas line with a double coated 12 inch steel pipe and employing open-cut and horizontal directional drill (HDD) methods to relocate the pipe underground.  The directional bores were completed under Allen Parkway and historic Buffalo Bayou, spanning 1,550 linear feet in length and reaching an ultimate depth of 85 feet below natural ground level.

Keeping the natural setting while upgrading natural gas pipelines not only enhances community safety but preserves our community's integrity. 

Minimizing the impact on automobile and pedestrian traffic in constricted urban areas...

• Power Distribution
• Telecommunication
• Utility

Minimizing the impact on automobile and pedestrian traffic in constricted urban areas, BBI created utility designs using environmentally friendly construction methods. Micro-tunneling, Box Tunneling, and Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) construction methods were used to accommodate work in high-traffic, urban areas.  The project required specialized planning and equipment to accommodate 2 HDD shots in very restrictive, narrow, and cramped areas of the project.

BBI was responsible for full engineering services, including:

• plan and profile design
• traffic control design
• approvals and permitting for multiple agencies including TxDOT, City of Houston, METRO, Houston Community College, and Midtown District

This CenterPoint Energy project was featured in an article in the April 2011 issue of Underground Construction Magazine... read more

Conserving trees and minimizing destruction of natural green space, BBI used environmentally friendly…

• Power Distribution
• Utility
• Construction Inspection Services

Conserving trees and minimizing destruction of natural green space, BBI used environmentally friendly utility designs.  We provided final design services, plan specifications, and estimates on the relocation of existing overhead lines.  The 35KV electric lines along Hallbrook Way relocated to underground circuits and pad mounted switch and transformer pads. 

BBI's services included: 

• Terms and Conditions Package per CenterPoint Energy Standard Specifications
• Plan and Profile Drawings
• Cost Estimates
• Traffic Control Plan
• Street Cut
• Access Road 

In addition, BBI provided complete inspection services to verify compliance with CenterPoint Energy Standards on construction of manholes, terminal poles, pedestals, and duct banks.

Bringing multiple parties together in order to bring utilities to communities within Waco...

• Utility Coordination
• Utility

Bringing multiple parties together in order to bring utilities to communities within Waco, BBI is responsible for complete coordination between four entities (Bellmead, City of Waco, TxDOT, and Baylor University) and eleven utility partners on the relocation of 8 miles of communication, gas, electric, water, wastewater, and storm sewer cables and lines.

In addition, BBI provided TxDOT the final design engineering services and PS&E on the IH 35 widening  between LP340(S) and LP340(N).  This project involves the widening of 8 miles of IH 35 to 8 mainlanes and two, two-lane frontage roads and bridges.  Side road ditch drainage was replaced with  storm sewers, and 25 bridge replacement designs are included.

Scope of  Utility Coordination: 

• Determine facilities in conflict that need to be relocated, abandoned, and/or removed. 
• Coordinate, collaborate, and provide mediation in order to bring partners together to discuss concepts and options for relocation planning and construction.
• Establish and promote agenda and methodologies for utility construction to bring into compliance to TxDOT standards.
• Reviews estimates and schedules for all utilities for compliance with state, local, and federal guidelines. 
• Establish a sequence for construction work of all utilities along with communicating with TxDOT status updates.
• Review SUE assessments, determine property interests and reimbursement, prepare utility agreement assemblies, secure Utility Joint-Use Agreements, as well as utilize FTP site to share files and information with multiple utility companies.

Supplying Innovative Solutions to Meet Budget Constraints and the Needs of a Community...

• Natural Gas
• Utility

Supplying innovative solutions to meet budget constraints and the needs of a community, BBI designed two alternate designs for an existing 18" high pressure suspended crossing in the Southwest corner of the IH-610 Loop.  BBI provided route design, plan and profile design, cathodic protection support, specifications, permit coordination, right-of-way coordination, traffic control design, pavement restoration, and construction support.
 
The first design was for a 1200 LF horizontal directional drill (HDD) under Brays Bayou, 50' below natural ground.  The HDD rig would be set up within an existing City of Houston (COH) wastewater treatment plant, which included coordination and approval from the COH legal department, land and right-of-way department, pubic works department as well as the treatment plant management.  The exit point would be within an existing CNP fee strip, 20' from a synagogue, with the pipe stringing area encompassing an electric transmission right-of-way and entry from a substation.  Coordination and approval with all required parties for the proposed work was completed.  Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) approval was also received.
 
Due to budgetary requirements, an alternate design was completed to install new reinforced concrete supports to replace the aging wood supports.  To assist with additional HCFCD requirements, which would include additional costs and time, the existing wood support column locations were cleaned out and used.  Two dual 18" concrete columns with concrete caps were used for the two center supports and two single 18" concrete columns were used for the end supports.  The design included specifications for the dual rollers with straps, as requested by the client.  The line was installed and put back in service without any delays.

BBI is the ONLY certified vendor selected by CenterPoint Energy to provide utility engineering for all five services including:

• Power Distribution
• Natural Gas
• Telecommunication
• Utility
• Construction Inspection Services

IH 10 Expansion Project:  Gas, Electrical Distribution & Transmission

From start to finish, BBI provided Utility Engineering Services relocation designs for all distribution and transmission facilities within the 25 mile stretch of IH-10 (Katy Freeway).  All designs were in accordance with CenterPoint Energy's policy and guidelines, as well as with federal, state, and municipality requirements.  Services Provided:

Electric Distribution:

• Replaced 45 aerial crossings with underground
• 42 horizontal directional drill (HDD) crossings
• 3 auger bore crossings
• Engineered excavation pits

 Electric Transmission:

• Replaced overhead tower mounted transmission facilities with underground duct banks
• Relocated over 11 miles of 138 kV transmission line under frontage roads
• Installed dual 9-8” PVC concrete encased duct banks
• Open trench, horizontal directional drill, and auger bore methods were used

 Natural Gas Facilities:

• Over 25 miles of natural gas lines were installed
• Polyethylene plastic and steel pipe were used
• Main pipe diameters ranged from 2” up to 12”
• Design pressures included Intermediate Pressure (IP) and High  Pressure (HP)
• Hundreds of commercial and residential gas service lines
• Open cut and horizontal directional drill (HDD) methods were used

 Coordination of Utility Services:

Coordination of construction schedules, permitting, and approvals with the following entities:

• TxDOT
• City of Houston
• Harris County Flood Control District
• U.S. Army Corp of Engineers 
• Texas Historical Commission
• Various Departments within CenterPoint Energy

Replacing an aging pipline under the historic Sabine Street Bridge

• Natural Gas
• Utility Coordination

The project consisted of replacing an aging gas line hung under the historic Sabine Street Bridge with a 12” steel line in two directional bores. BBI provided route design, plan and profile design, cathodic protection support, traffic control design, pavement restoration, permit coordination, cultural survey coordination, field surveying, and construction support for the directional bore under Buffalo Bayou, just outside of downtown Houston, Texas. The first 320 LF bore was under a major thoroughfare, Memorial Drive, and a 42” waterline outside of a City of Houston water plant. The second directional bore was under Buffalo Bayou and Allen Parkway and consisted of a double coated 12” steel gas line approximately 85 feet below natural ground and 1,550 LF in length.
 
Coordination, permitting and approval included:
 
• U.S. Army Corp of Engineers • Texas Historical Commission • City of Houston • Various Departments within CenterPoint Energy Gas