Project Overview
The Los Angeles Aqueduct is more than infrastructure - it is a lifeline. Stretching more than 419 miles, this engineering marvel delivers clean water to millions of people, enabling Los Angeles to grow into the major metropolitan center it is today. Protecting the aqueduct is therefore not just important - it is essential.
Following seismic investigations, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) determined that the North Haiwee Dam, located in Olancha, CA, rests on a fault line and could settle by as much as nine feet in the event of a major earthquake. Such a failure would have catastrophic consequences both for communities downstream and for Los Angeles' water supply.
To address this risk, LADWP developed a three-phase resiliency plan. The ultimate goal - construct a new dam 800 feet north of the existing structure. Phase two, led by Road and Highway Builders with support from Jensen Infrastructure, required realigning the aqueduct and creating a diversion channel to increase reservoir capacity and prepare for dam construction.
The challenge: crews needed a reliable way to cross the diversion channel without disrupting water flow.
Precast Solution
The solution came in the form of a Jensen segmental Type 2 precast box culvert - an 18' wide by 18' high twin-cell structure installed side by side with a 3" separation gap. Serving both a hydraulic passage and an access bridge, the culvert allows continuous water flow while providing critical access for dam construction.
Precast Concrete proved to be the ideal choice for this high-stakes project:
- Durability in challenging site conditions - Manufactured off-site under controlled conditions, the precast elements were unaffected by the silty soils and moisture challenges that complicated the on-site construction.
- Efficient installation - Culvert bases and tops were delivered from Jensen's Fontana facility and installed seamlessly with butyl and water stop sealants, ensuring watertight joints.
- Accelerated timeline - With a well-coordinated delivery schedule, the entire culvert system was installed in just two days, minimizing disruptions and keeping the project on schedule.
Beyond product performance, Jensen's responsiveness and collaboration were key to the project's success. "Having the team down in Fontana to work with us and being very responsive with emails and correspondence whenever we needed was extremely helpful. Every job has its challenges, and Jensen was always a call away," noted Chris Franco, Project Engineer for Road and Highway Builders.
By combining engineering ingenuity with the advantages of precast concrete, LADWP and its project partners are ensuring the Los Angeles Aqueduct remains protected, resilient, and ready to serve the city for generations to come.
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