Crux Subsurface Inc. has been awarded all micropile foundation design and construction work for San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) wood-to-steel TL-637 project. This will be the seventh wood-to-steel segment for which Crux has served as a design-build foundation contractor under SDG&E, and the firm’s largest wood-to-steel foundation contract to date. Crux will provide 87 micropile foundations for self-supported tubular steel poles, and expects construction to begin in September.

The TL-637 segment consists of upgrading an existing 69 kV tie-line that runs 13.7 miles. A combination of vehicle, rough-terrain forklift and helicopter transport will be utilized, depending on specific access constraints at each foundation site. Construction will take place in the existing right-of-way and in close proximity to energized lines. As an increased safety measure for construction within fire prone areas, all personnel working on the project will attend an environmental briefing prior to construction.

SDG&E’s wood-to-steel replacement program consists of replacing approximately 2,400 existing wood transmission poles in San Diego County over a two- to three-year period, and in various segments. The purpose of the program is to reduce maintenance expenses, improve fire safety, and reduce damage to SDG&E infrastructure during fire season.