For Immediate Release
Contact: Dennis Hill
dennis.hill@ettp.doe.gov
(865) 241-4690
Oak Ridge, Tenn., December 14, 2011 – Question: What is better than having a monster 94-ton 385C Caterpillar Excavator on a large demolition project?
Answer: Having a free 385C Cat on the project (Shipping and handling not included — some assembly required.)
URS | CH2M Oak Ridge (UCOR) recently obtained such a piece of equipment from the Savannah River Site rent-free for a two-year period. It will be used on the K-25 demolition project at the East Tennessee Technology Park.
According to project officials, it was determined that Savannah River would not need the $1.6 million piece of equipment for the next two years, so it was offered to UCOR rent-free for that period. The 385C normally leases for about $58,000 per month.
“This represents a major cost savings,” said K-25 Project Manager Mark Ferri. “This effort was instigated and led by Jeff Tucker, K-25 Demolition Manager.”
UCOR did have to pay a total of about $90,000 to have the Cat disassembled at Savannah River and shipped on six flatbed trucks to Oak Ridge. Special permitting was required because the reinforced trailer carrying the cab was a wide load. It took two days for the equipment to arrive at Oak Ridge, where it was reassembled and put into service at K-25.
The excavator, with its powerful jaws and other attachments, will be used primarily for size reduction of metal and concrete debris for shipment and disposal.
“DOE staff at Oak Ridge and Savannah River were instrumental in helping make this happen,” Ferri said. “The equipment was being shipped between DOE sites, and it required coordination with transportation departments in three states (South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee). DOE staff facilitated those efforts.”
UCOR is the Department of Energy’s Environmental Management contractor at the Oak Ridge Reservation. The company is responsible for deactivation and demolition of the K-25 facility at
ETTP, as well as other specific scopes of work at ETTP, the Y-12 National Security Site, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
