Baylor University

Baylor’s McLane Stadium Complex is very functional, aesthetically pleasing, has a low annual maintenance cost, and was economical to construct. The original site; however, was plagued with many obstacles and challenges. The entire site was below the elevation of the 100-year floodplain of the Brazos Rover and the soils consisted of problematic alluvial sand, which behaved like “quick” sand. Major overhead electrical transmittal lines traversed the site and a major 54-inch diameter wastewater interceptor bisected the site.

This large diameter sanitary sewer, owned by the Waco Metropolitan Area Regional Sewer System (WMARSS), had to be relocated to allow for the Stadium construction. Since the interceptor had to be constructed below the water surface elevation of the Brazos River, and consequently below the water table, Walker Partners initiated an overall site dewatering program and a sanitary sewer relocation project while architects began designing the stadium.

The final alignment was modified to accommodate two existing WMARSS wastewater interceptors located in the area north and east of the Brazos River and IH-35. The original interceptors were subjected to hydrogen sulfide gas attack and exhibited severe structural degradation, in very real danger of near-term failure. With this knowledge, several wastewater options were evaluated that would accommodate the best interests of WMARSS, the City of Waco, and Baylor University, along with upcoming future IH-35 TxDOT widening projects.

Approximately 868 linear feet of 54-inch diameter concrete sewer pipe, 1,070 linear feet of 27-inch concrete sewer pipe, and 1,870 linear feet of 6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch sewer pipe was replaced. The final alignment was coordinated between the City of Waco Utilities Departments, WMARSS, TxDOT, and Baylor University in order for the project to move forward without delay.

completion date: 2013

location: waco, tx