Project: Basic Combat Training Complex
Contractor: Hensel Phelps Construction Co.
Location: Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri

Bloomsdale Excavating was employed to perform site preparation work for the new Basic Combat Training Complex at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. The grading portion of the project included some 260,000 cubic yards of excavation over a 40-acre site. In addition to the grading work, the site preparation incorporated the installation of 30,000 lineal feet of utilities. This included the installation of pre-cast storm drainage structures, a new water distribution system and a gravity sanitary sewer system.

The utilities installation presented an intricate challenge as the maze of existing utilities conflicted with the proposed utilities yet to be installed. To further complicate the situation, the design of the sanitary sewer system was at depths in excess of 30 feet in order to avoid the need for lift stations and force mains. Making safety our number one priority, Bloomsdale's engineers designed the trench excavation by laying the slopes back and providing trench shields. Caterpillar 637 Scrapers were utilized to excavate the top portion of the trench up to 20 feet deep and 65 feet wide. When that stage of excavation was complete, Caterpillar 345 Excavators were used to excavate the remaining trench. Coordinating and staging the excess trench spoils, on an already crowded site was, again, a challenge.

Upon completion, the facility will consist of 20 buildings and associated training units used to house and provide basic combat training for the United States Army's new recruits.