Welcome to Wheaton Revitalization News!

Wheaton Revitalization News is an email distribution list that will provide frequent updates to the surrounding community on the Wheaton Revitalization project. The purpose of this distribution list is to provide you with project updates and construction activities.  For additional information on the Wheaton Revitalization Project please visit http://www.wheatonproject.com

Look Ahead - Week of March 25 to March 31, 2018

Executive Summary

The project continues to track on-schedule and within budget. The key activity on site this week remains plumbing of the geothermal system. See Geothermal System below.

Temporary 5-hour closure of Reedie Drive between Triangle Lane and Grandview Avenue

Reedie Drive will be temporarily closed on Thursday, March 29 between 9am and 3pm.

Access to Triangle Lane and Grandview will not be affected. The temporary closure is necessary to air-lift a large drill rig out of the hole. The on-site tower cranes lack the hoisting capacity to lift such heavy loads. A mobile hydraulic crane will mobilize to make the lift.

Demolition of the Mid-County Regional Services Center (RSC) Building

Demolition of the Regional Services Center (RSC) Building is nearly complete (see photo below). It is estimated that all work will be completed in two weeks.

Traffic operations along Reedie Drive have not been affected by the demolition and pedestrian movement will remain unchanged except for the closure of the “cut through” walkway immediately adjacent to the Regional Services Building leading from Reedie Drive to the Metro stairs. Signage is posted.

Foundation Construction

Construction of the building foundation is on hold by design to allow the finalization of the geothermal units. All geothermal work is expected to be completed by early-May. Meanwhile, stone placement and waterproofing will commence late-March and continue into late-May. Construction of the foundation is scheduled to commence in late-April.

Geothermal System

Plumbing of the geothermal wells remains the key activity on the project this upcoming week.

The 150 geothermal wells are now being connected (plumbed) in 15-wells circuits. In total, ten 15-well circuits will be developed and tied into a single manifold at entry to the building. Each circuit is pressure and flow tested before being tied into the circuit. This horizontal plumbing will continue over the next several weeks after which the 18-inch steel reinforced foundation slab will be placed.

Site Dewatering

Foundation construction requires the continuation of site dewatering. The 16-deep dewatering wells, operating around-the-clock, are pumping 30 gallons of groundwater per minute (30gpm), half of what was expected. This clean water is discharged into the storm drain system as designed. All water discharged from the site is tested and treated for proper pH levels, if necessary, per the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) requirements.

Follow Project Progress via the Project Camera

A camera has been installed to view construction on the site. Click here to access the camera.

Upcoming and Ongoing Activities

• Horizontal piping for Geothermal System 
• Testing of the geothermal system
• Backfilling of the geothermal system
• Placement of stone as the foundation base
• Monitoring Inclinometer stations for embankment movement
• Monitoring 3-D survey points on Support of Excavation system
• Testing and monitoring of groundwater discharge water

RSC Demolition Progress

Geothermal Piping

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.

This service is provided to you at no charge by Department of Transportation of Montgomery County MD.

Visit Wheaton Revitalization Project page to learn more.