Local Government

Town of Queenstown

Queenstown Water Main and Water Service Replacement

RAUCH inc. was retained by the Town of Queenstown for their Melvin Avenue Watermain and Water Service Replacement project. In addition to engineering design, our firm provided permitting, bidding, and inspection services and construction management. Deliverables included site plans, construction drawings, utility location, and project specifications.

The project replaced an undersized, failing water main with a new line, provided water service connections to homes in the area, and established fire hydrants and tie-ins. Due to base and sub-grade failures observed in the project area before construction, the scope of work was expanded to include correction of drainage issues through stormwater management and culvert repairs. Road paving was provided to return the project site to better than original condition.

Our firm coordinated with the Town and contractors to maintain signage, flagging, and barricades for local traffic and pedestrian safety during construction. The project required conformance with the Town’s ordinances and standards as well as state and federal drinking water infrastructure regulations.

Waterway Improvements

RAUCH inc. provided engineering, design, environmental services, construction inspection, and construction management services for waterway improvements for the Town of Queenstown funded by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

The improvements included a one-mile-long living shoreline with a kayak launch adjacent to the Town’s wastewater treatment plant. In addition to protecting the shoreline, the project is providing nutrient pollution reductions in support of the state’s Watershed Improvement Plan (WIP) goals. The living shoreline is a “mud sill design” bordered by cabled logs with a jute blanket to secure native salt marsh species. This application served to dissipate wave action along the westerly 800-foot fetch and act as a sieve to increase reduction of silt and sediment deposits in the water column thereby abating pollutants from stormwater runoff. The project has also greatly improved habitat. Before and after pictures are included at right showing vegetative maturity.

Other project components included bulkhead and landing improvements, with replacement of bulkheads, pilings and decking of the Town’s docks. Dock work consisted of replacing the cap board, decking benches, slip sighs, and ladders. The scope of work also included removal of 662 cubic yards of sediment and dredge material from around existing piers, slips, and pilings, and pier and bulkhead repairs.

The project was performed in accordance with local, state, and federal requirements including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the Maryland Department of the Environment.