Barr helped this industrial-sands client take its first mining and processing facility in Wisconsin from permitting to operation in just nine months.
We worked closely with U.S. Silica to complete all aspects of the plant’s engineering design, including developing site and general arrangement drawings, equipment lists, facility layout, and construction documents. The operation encompasses operations and maintenance facilities, a dredge pond, wet processing plant, storage yard, dry processing plant with two production lines, and product storage and loadout facilities.
Barr began by preparing preliminary designs used to solicit construction proposals, then collaborated with the selected contractor so completed designs would fit construction sequence and schedule priorities. In all, Barr prepared over 600 drawings in multiple engineering disciplines, as well as technical specifications, equipment lists, and other documents.
We also identified ways to accelerate both the environmental permitting process and the construction schedule. For instance, we worked with a steel detailer to develop and preapprove 3D digital models that were then provided directly to the structural-steel fabrication shop, shaving about six weeks from the normal schedule.
Facilitating connection to utilities and supporting infrastructure was another service Barr provided; we scoped and coordinated the work necessary to bring power, gas, water, sewer, and telephone service to the site. We also designed more than 12,000 feet of service track to connect the plant to a nearby rail line, as well as multiple on-site tracks for sand storage and loading.