Meeting Challenges

Upgrade an old substation in a busy city, on an aggressive schedule, while dealing with hazardous chemicals? That sounds like exactly the kind of challenge the B&M team is built for.

Our high voltage team is working in Fort Wayne, IN, expanding a utility customer’s substation. The project calls for an additional 138kV/12kV transformer and distribution bay; the replacement of a breaker, two transformers, and a distribution bay; and installation of an underground storm water management system.

That’s a large scope for a substation that’s already in the middle of a congested industrial park. To complicate matters, the site is contaminated with PCBs, toxic chemicals found in older oil-filled electrical equipment. Therefore, all excavated materials must be taken to an out-of-state facility for processing. And then there’s the schedule—the tight timeline allows just 12 months to finish the transformation.

“The schedule was aggressive,” said Project Manager David C. “Between that and the need to have multiple crews from our customer and from B&M…project planning was paramount.”

David and Project Manager Ray D. partnered together to lead all teams. Everyone on site worked Safely, reporting four Good Catches, one Near Miss, and no injuries since work began in July of 2024. They will successfully complete the project on time and under budget.