WGK performed construction engineering on a walking and biking trail leading from the entrance into Alcorn State University that went through the woods across a pond levy until it reached the loop into the campus. The project consisted of the construction of a 1 ½ mile long 10 feet wide asphalt walking and biking trail. The trail is designed for any non-motorized use and will offer joggers, bikers and walkers a place to get exercise. The walking and biking trail was funded by a STP program through the Mississippi Department of Transportation to Alcorn State University. Services provided by WGK included, grading & culverts, complete striping and signing, grade drainage & paving and construction administration. The total material cost of the project was $1.1 Million.

This project consisted of the design and construction administration of sewer improvements to serve a remote site for a prison. This included a 1,000 GPM triplex sewage pump station with generator and odor control system, 55,000 feet of 12” force main, directional bores and rehabilitation of large diameter gravity sewer and manholes. The design and construction was performed on a fast-track basis to meet the schedule of the new prison. The design was completed within 90 days of the contract and construction was completed within 240 days. The total project time frame was less than 15 months. WGK was responsible for the surveying and permitting and construction inspection was performed by Jordan, Kaiser and Sessums of Natchez. The project was completed in 2008 with a final project construction cost of $ 2.9 Million.

After more than 30 years of operation, the influent screw pumps to the Natchez WWTF had become prohibitively expensive to maintain.  A single drive reducer cost in excess of $60,000 and any work on the flights required a large crane to be hired. The operating & engineering staff requested that WGK design a 6000 gpm triplex replacement station, utilizing submersible pumps, and to be constructed by NWW forces using as many precast components as possible. The 19 foot deep station was successfully designed using box culvert sections for the wetwell and valve pit. WGK provided plans and specifications for approval by the regulatory agencies and for the NWW to use in taking bids for materials and components. The Owner was particularly pleased with WGKs approach to assisting them in finding a cost effective solution that would meet their limited budget available for this project. Many of the details were discussed and design on-site with the direct input from the Owner and personnel who would be performing the work. Teamwork and open minded design provided the best solution for the Owner.

The project consisted of the design and construction of a new Intermodal Transportation/Visitor Center near Canal Street in the downtown, Historic District in Natchez, Mississippi. Services provided by WGK included programming, planning,conceptual design, preliminary design, final design and construction. Preparation of conceptual site plans for the Visitor Center. Preparation of conceptual plans for adjoining roadway improvements. Completion of boundary and topographic survey for 15-Acre site. Coordination of architectural programming for Visitor Center building, completion of an environmental assessment on the site, completion of a geotechnical assessment of the site, construction bidding & engineering ISTEA Program administered by MDOT and the FHWA. The project construction value was approximately $11,000,000.

The City of Natchez identified a sub-basin within its sanitary sewer collection system that needed rehabilitation efforts to reduce inflow and infiltration. WGK was hired to perform an SSES evaluation, identify areas of needed repairs and prepare plans and specifications for the work to be performed. WGK performed a survey and investigation of the entire sub-basin to include,smoke testing of all lines to identify main line breaks, service line breaks, storm sewer cross connections, cctv inspection of all sewer lines within the basin to rate each line with respect to its deficiencies and condition, and manhole inspections. The recommended repairs included point repairs to isolated breaks, conventional sewer replacement of deteriorated lines not suitable for cured in place pipe methods of rehabilitation, and cured in place pipe rehabilitation. Working with a limited budget, WGK prioritized the repairs and prepared detailed plans and specifications governing the work. WGK administered and performed construction review of the project which was completed on time and in budget.

The City needed to upgrade and modify the signalized intersections along Canal Street in downtown Natchez, MS. WGK evaluated the intersections along designated streets and made recommendations that would enhance the area and improve traffic flow in the downtown Natchez area. Because of the historic significance of the City of Natchez, the project involved coordination with the Natchez Historical Society and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. This project consisted of modifying signalized intersections along Canal Street and Franklin Street in the downtown Natchez area and included replacing existing traffic signals with new signals mounted on decorative poles to match the ones on Main Street. The span wire mounted traffic signals were replaced with mast arm mounted traffic signals. Commercial vehicle detectors, radio communication and video vehicle detectors were installed, and the curbing was enhanced and altered to facilitate handicap accessibility. Services provided by WGK included preparation of a preliminary engineering report, traffic flow and capacity study, roadway and drainage improvements, acquisition of the rights-of-way and easements and the planning, surveying, design, and contract administration. The total project cost was $400,000.

After almost 25 years of continuous service, the 5 MGD Natchez Wastewater Treatment Facility was plagued by frequent mechanical failures of major pieces of operating equipment. Piecemeal repairs in response to each failure were expensive and resulted in emergency operational changes and system upsets. Major repairs/replacements were needed immediately in the aeration system, the secondary clarifiers, the influent screw pumps and the electrical system. In addition, the facility faced a MDEQ Agreed Order to implement disinfection within twelve months. WGK worked closely with the operating staff to identify the condition of the critical pieces of equipment and determine which components should be either repaired or replaced. Contract documents were prepared and bids received for removal and replacement of certain components, and for inspection and reinstallation of other components where repairs could be performed. Unit prices were established for weld repairs and steel restoration. Internal gears, bearings and other replaceable parts were supplied on a cost plus basis. An inventory of over $100,000 in replacement motors and drives was also established. WGK provided construction administration and review of the repairs and the installation of a new disinfection system and a clarifier weir cleaning system.

A new operations manager at the 5 MGD Natchez Wastewater Treatment Facility requested WGKs assistance in evaluating the plant for ways to eliminate current operational nuisances, repair certain problematic piping and electrical equipment,and identify ways to upgrade entire processes to meet potential future regulatory requirements. Working with the operating staff, WGK developed a report with cost estimates for 16 potential improvements, from the addition of fine screening at the headworks to replacement of the operations building roof. NWW is prioritizing the recommendations and using the report to develop funding for the most urgent needs.WGK also evaluated issues the operating staff had identified with the water supply, treatment and distribution systems and prepared a similar report with cost estimates for addressing emergency power supply, system metering improvements and main replacements.