infrastructure
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY
Amtrak Right of Way Tunnel
Villanova University retained AEC, Inc. to design and document a new 72" wide tunnel under the 110' wide Amtrak right-of-way. Included with the design was all the Amtrak approvals to "Jack & Bore" this steel shell into place while 106 daily train crossings remained uninterrupted.
The construction included two large manholes and two large sheeted temporary pits for the "Jack & Bore" operation, which was completed during a 24/7 continuous construction process. The function of the tunnel is to allow four new medium voltage loops to feed Villanova's main campus, plus the athletic campus. Also sharing this tunnel is Villanova's campus wide main fiber optic IT service. Because of maintenance requirements, the tunnel and manholes are lighted. There are supply and exhaust fans installed at both ends of the system.
AEC also designed and laid out all the circuit extensions from the tunnel location to the power tie-in manholes and to the main incoming campus substations.
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY
Campus & Infrastructure
AEC, Inc. completed a phased replacement project for all central utilities on the Main Campus at Villanova University. The engineering included locating all existing utilities and designing a total replacement package so they could be tied-in at each end, and removal of old systems. AEC also designed and documented all of the hard-scape project improvements, which complimented the landscape architect and project architect designs.
The total below grade and on grade project was completed over five summers and replaced all of the Main Campus walkways, plazas, and seating areas, along with all steam and condensate lines, water, sanitary and storm piping, gas, communication, and electric services below grade.
EASTERN UNIVERSITY
Civil Master Planning
AEC, Inc. developed an overall campus Master Plan for Eastern University that included an in-depth study of electrical power distribution from the University’s main sub-station along with strategic locations for future construction of new facilities.
The Master Plan project required the diversion of a stream and the restoration of one of the major lakes on the campus. Extensive coordination with the Department of Environmental Protection, Radnor Township, and the Delaware County Soil Conservation district was needed to gain approvals, and to provide accurate bidding and construction documents. AEC’s project administration included the reconstruction of the lake, stream bed landscaping and filtration growth.
Civil engineering design and documentation was also provided by AEC for the addition of an internal roadway to complete the Campus Loop. The roadway is designed to be constructed in a 100-year floodplain, which required DEP and Township approval.
The roadway is approximately 450’ long by 24’ wide and includes a new bridge with a 35' span over the creek. The span of the bridge is 35’. A swale is provided along the eastern edge of the roadway to collect the storm water run-off, which is then filtered before discharging into the creek. Additional parking is also included in the project.