One of the latest projects awarded to Underground Services is the Alcoa Services 275 Myara project.

This project consists of installing 10km each of 315mm and 90mm water pipe, 10km HV cable, 22km LV Power cable and 12.5km of fibre optic cable over the 10km length of a Trace Conveyor. Installation entails excavating 2 no. trenches with a 65t trencher through pre-blasted rock, installing sand bedding, the services, sand cover and protection, and backfill and compaction.

There are also 4 no. HDD shots through rock with a total meterage of 220m with pipe / conduit from 100mm-315mm diameter.

The project will run for a period of 4 months.

BHP Billiton, RGP6 - Jimblebar Services installation

Underground Services is currently undertaking its largest resource project.

The work consists of services works as part of BHP Billiton's RGP6 project for their mine expansion at Jimblebar near Newman. Scope includes supply and installation of water, waste water, slurry, electrical and communications infrastructure.

The project will run from August 2011 to March 2012.

Pilbara Underground Power Project Karratha (PUPP)

The Town of Karratha is undergoing a dramatic change by having all overhead network cabling installed underground. This project is very similar to the State Underground Power Projects that Underground Services has been undertaking for Western Power during the past 14 years.

This project will prove the regional capabilities of Underground Services to both the local community and ultimately the client, Horizon Power. A significant amount of co-ordination between the public, ODG, Horizon Power and Underground Services will be undertaken ensuring a smooth run to the works.

The project will run for a period of 10 months starting June 2011 to March 2012.

Western Power - CBD - Stage 1

The scope for this project was to install 8 no. 150 diameter conduits carrying 11kv feeder cable through city centre Perth to supply the new BHP building. The cables were laid within 8 conduits beneath the road pavement in a trench approximately 1.3m width and 1.2m deep.

This project required close liaison with Western Power, City of Perth, the developer and of course local tenants and residents to ensure minimum disruption to traffic, particularly at peak periods.

An added complication was that the project was undertaken in the lead up to Christmas so as well as traffic management, pedestrian management and pedestrian safety became a priority.

The project was completed on time and on budget with zero incidents and to the great satisfaction of all stakeholders.

Western Power - CBD - Stage 2

As a result of our successful installation of stage one, Underground Services were awarded the second stage of the feeder cable installation to the new BHP building. This stage also consists of a bank of 8 conduits and two 11,000V feeder cables. The conduits are installed by open trenching in the road, which requires stringent quality control of the backfill compaction prior to asphalt.

One section of the works crosses the Public Transport Authority rail tunnel and as such strict conditions regarding vibration are imposed. To comply with these requirements Underground Services utilise backfill technologies that require no vibratory compaction.

Westralia Airports Corporation Pty Ltd, High Voltage Cable Installation Munday to Kendall Substations

The project was executed for Westralia Airports Corporation Pty Ltd. The requirements were for the installation of three high voltage feeders starting short off the future Munday Substation to ending short of the future Kendall Sub-station Perth International Airport, Kewdale.

The scope of work comprised excavation, HDD, compacting and backfilling for High Voltage cabling as well as the installation of a 12 core single mode Fibre Optic Cable to be buried direct with the high voltage cable for the entire route length of 3250mts

All electrical installations complied with the requirements of the specified Australian Standards and statutory requirements. The project was completed in a timely manner, with zero incidents.

Western Power State Underground Power Program (SUPP)

The Western Australian State Underground Power Program (SUPP) initiative was put in place after severe storms in May 1994 caused serious damage to existing overhead mains, resulting in widespread supply outages. The SUPP is designed to replace existing overhead mains with the safer and more reliable underground system in selected residential areas.

The tender for the SUPP works stipulated they be constructed by open excavation methods. Underground Services provided an alternate tender for the works to be completed by Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD). Underground Services was awarded a pilot project in Applecross and were advised if the HDD method met Western Power's quality standards this method would be adopted for future projects. Underground Services was successful in their endeavours and all projects since this pilot project have been completed by HDD. Underground Services is extensively involved with the State Underground Power Program and has successfully completed many projects since their first pilot project in 1996.

The projects have been completed in a number of established suburbs, often with many obstacles to overcome, including existing live and abandoned services to work around. The projects require power cables to be installed using HDD and trenchless methods which delivers a less destructive and intrusive installation method, lowering risks of litigation and reducing construction costs.

In 1998 the WA Government established two strands to the SUPP initiative; major residential projects and the smaller localised enhancement projects. Underground Services has worked on both strands and is genuinely committed to being involved in the project right through to its completion.

Western Power, 132KV Transmission Cables, Burswood

Underground Services installed 4500m of 132KV transmission cable for Western Power. The cable route originated in East Perth and finished in Burswood. The major challenge was to excavate and remove ground that had been contaminated over the years by asbestos. Underground Services' Environmental Engineer ensured the compliance with the EPA requirements and the protection of staff, the environment and the general public at all times.

Another challenge was to install cable conduits under the Graham Farmer Freeway and the Perth to Armadale Railway Line without causing any disruption to the flow of traffic or the trains on the railway line. This was done both safely and successfully, during normal working hours, by our own Horizontal Directional Drilling team.

Western Power, 132KV Transmission Poles, Cannington

Underground Services was contracted by Western Power to supply and install seventeen 132KV transmission poles complete with the required foundations.

The holes for the foundations were up to 2.5m in diameter and up to 9m in depth. The holes were drilled in clay/rock ground conditions using our the auger boring plant and equipment. As the water table was only 3m below ground level, "Wellpoint Dewatering" was installed to enable the required depths for the foundations.

The poles were up to 21m in length and specialist contractors were employed to ensure that the pole delivery was a success. To erect the poles, a 50 tonne and a 20 tonne crane were used, with the secondary crane involved to support the base of the pole.