The Job
This project involved the pipeline abandonment of the Paw Creek Interceptor at the Charlotte Douglass International Airport in Charlotte, NC. As part of a larger system upgrade, CJGeo abandoned 2,345 linear feet of 36-inch diameter sewer pipe.
The decommissioned pipeline’s path ran directly underneath multiple active aircraft taxiways and an adjacent, high-traffic rail yard, making it a critical piece of infrastructure to manage safely.
The Challenge
The primary challenge was the immense risk of working under sensitive infrastructure. The chosen abandonment method had to ensure zero settlement or heaving of the overlying taxiways and rail lines. Any surface disturbance could halt airport or railway operations, resulting in significant logistical and financial consequences.
Furthermore, the project specifications required us to fill the entire 2,345 LF section in a single, continuous placement. This presented a significant logistical challenge, demanding flawless material consistency and pumping operations over a long distance without interruption. Staging and operating the necessary high-volume equipment within the secure, active environment of an international airport added another layer of complexity.
The Solution
CJGeo proposed using dry batch cellular grouting to meet the project’s unique demands. Cellular grout is an ideal material for this application due to its lightweight and highly flowable nature. Its low density ensures it places no significant additional load on the subgrade beneath the taxiways and the rail yard.
To execute the single continuous run, our team mobilized a mobile dry batch cellular grout plant. This specialized equipment allowed for the continuous, on-site production of lightweight grout at a high volume. By precisely controlling the material, we could pump the grout through the entire 2,345 LF pipe from a single injection point.
We completed the project successfully and safely, filling the entire sewer line in one seamless operation. This approach fully decommissioned the pipe while providing complete peace of mind that the critical airport and rail infrastructure above would remain unaffected.
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