Background
Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) faced a failing pressurized water main along Beacon St., located underneath the historic Boston Common Park. The failing water main was located in a busy utility corridor with old growth trees directly above. To restore the pipeline’s integrity, a robust and minimally invasive solution was needed.
Solution
United faced significant engineering challenges during the re-lining of over 1,100 feet of 48” water main, including the complexity of inserting a large-diameter HDPE liner into an existing carbon steel host pipe. To overcome these obstacles, United worked hand in hand with General Contractor Albanese D&S Inc., a highly respected firm specializing in heavy civil construction within the utilities sector. Albanese brought strong project leadership, seamless coordination, and a commitment to safety and quality that were instrumental to the project’s success. The process involved temporarily reducing the outside diameter of DR17 HDPE pipe and pulling it through the existing carbon steel pipeline to deliver a reliable, long-term solution.
Results
The project was completed successfully with minimal surface disruption, preserving the historic Boston Common Park and the surrounding old-growth trees. The innovative re-lining method restored full structural integrity to the 48” water main, extending the life of the pipeline by decades without the need for open-cut excavation. United’s trenchless HDPE lining system, combined with Albanese D&S Inc.’s expert site coordination, allowed the work to be completed efficiently within a tight urban corridor and under challenging conditions. The Boston Water and Sewer Commission now benefits from a corrosion-resistant, low-maintenance pipeline solution that will serve the city reliably for years to come.