At Con J. Franke Electric, we are proud to be a part of San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC) San Joaquin Pipeline Valve and Safety and Safe Entry Improvements project – a crucial initiative that aims to enhance the overall reliability and safety of the San Joaquin Pipeline System.
This extensive project involves improvements to three parallel transmission pipelines spanning approximately 48 miles across the San Joaquin Valley, from SFPUC’s Oakdale Portal to their Tesla Portal, with an additional 6.4-mile Eastern Segment and an 11-mile Western Segment. This system of pipelines carries water from Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, Lake Eleanor and Lake Lloyd to SFPUC’s Tesla Treatment Facility where it is treated before continuing on to SFPUC’s more than 2.5 million customers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
The primary focus of the project is to address safety concerns associated with the operation of the valves within the San Joaquin Pipeline System. These concerns include potential valve failure from pressure surges, the need for establishing double isolation and bleed configurations, and ensuring the adequate valve rating for the hydrostatic head. To achieve these safety and access goals, the project involves the installation of a surge shaft upstream of the Tesla Treatment Facility, along with the installation of new double isolation and bleed valves in locations requiring major upgrades and construction.
With our dedication to delivering high-quality electrical solutions, Con J. Franke Electric is engaging in the work at four locations: Tesla Water Treatment Plant in just outside Tracy, CA; Roselle Crossover in Riverbank, CA; Emery Crossover in Oakdale, CA; and Pelican Crossover in Vernalis, CA.
Key Project Details:
- Project Manager: Teresa Moss
- Foremen: Dave Sokotowski for the Tesla Valve Site, and Dustin King for Roselle Crossover, Emery Crossover, and Carl Jenks Pelican Crossover sites
- Duration: May 2022 to Nov 2024
- Total Project Value: $95.3 million
During Phase 1A, the project encompasses essential upgrades at various locations, including the upgrade of a 60-inch butterfly valve at the Tesla Valve House, replacement of crossover butterfly valves with double-knife gate valves, and the installation of spool pieces and new vaults at the Tesla and Oakdale Portals. The electrical work for Phase 1 amounts to over $1.3 million.
This ambitious project has involved approximately 25 Con J. Franke Electric team members, spanning estimating, project management, shop team, and our actual boots-on-the-ground onsite construction team. We are also collaborating with subcontractors, Tesco Controls and Power Systems Testing, to ensure a comprehensive and successful project delivery.
One of the most significant aspects of this project is its contribution to the enhancement of the Hetch Hetchy Water System, which holds vital importance for water supply throughout California.
Throughout this project, our cohesive team (in the office and at the job sites) at Con J. Franke Electric demonstrated unwavering commitment and problem-solving capabilities, ensuring that we met all challenges with timely and effective solutions. This project significantly improves the overall well-being of the community and we never settle for anything less than top quality end results!
This project has not been without challenges, particularly with limited seasonal and time based windows in which the pipeline can be offline to accommodate the work efforts of multiple trades and contractors present a unique challenge. However, our team at Con J. Franke Electric came together to overcome these obstacles and ensure that the project stayed on track. Our unwavering dedication has enabled us to meet critical deadlines and deliver exceptional outcomes.
We finished a major portion of this project and will continue into the Fall of 2024 to finalize the industrial electrical work for the last of the 42” valve replacements.
As a part of the larger Hetchy Capital Improvement Program (HCIP), this project plays a crucial role in the ongoing efforts to upgrade water conveyance, water storage, and power generation facilities, contributing to the overall advancement of the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System in the Sierra Nevada portion of the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System.
Con J. Franke Electric takes immense pride in contributing to the upgrades and enhancements involved with the San Joaquin Pipeline Valve and Safety Project – a crucial initiative to enhance the overall reliability and safety of the San Joaquin Pipeline System.
Our ability to adapt to fluctuations in the timelines, overcome challenges, and still complete work on time is always a benefit to our community and we are proud of what we can achieve.
