Project Overview
The Eastern Regional Infrastructure Project of Gwinnett County, Georgia, which addressed critical community needs related to water, sewer, and trail infrastructure, has received an Envision Silver award for sustainable infrastructure.
To support ongoing and anticipated population growth in the eastern portion of Gwinnett County, this project was designed to expand water and sewer capacity to support economic development and growth in the area. It also created an extensive trail system and provided exceptional recreational amenities for its residents.
The project was led by the County’s Departments of Water Resources and Community Services and provided much-needed infrastructure for the eastern portion of the County. The scope of work included:
— Replacement and upsizing of five miles of water mains to meet current and future demand.
— Installation of six miles of new gravity sewer interceptor, a 14 MGD wastewater pump station, and seven miles of parallel force mains to serve future population growth, expand sewer service, and decommission existing wastewater pump stations.
— Construction of a five-mile trail system along the Apalachee River and a new trailhead located adjacent to the new pump station.
Gwinnett County prioritized sustainable design and construction throughout all phases of the project. By implementing a project-specific sustainability plan and pursuing ISI Envision verification from procurement through operations, Gwinnett demonstrated their commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation.
Quotes
“ISI congratulates Gwinnett County DWR and Gwinnett County DoCS on being awarded their first Envision award for sustainable infrastructure. Congratulations also to JDS, Freese and Nichols, and the entire project team which demonstrated how the Eastern Regional Infrastructure Project fulfills vital community goals, achieves key milestones for sustainability and emphasizes risk mitigation and resilience.”
– Anthony Kane, ISI’s President & CEO
“The Eastern Regional Infrastructure project serves as the foundation for smart, environmentally conscious growth in eastern Gwinnett. We’re proud to be recognized with Envision verification for this project, which demonstrates our commitment to innovative solutions that benefit both our residents and the environment. By providing essential infrastructure and promoting smart growth, we’re cultivating a vibrant and sustainable community for generations to come.”
– Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson
Verified Sustainability Achievements
Teamwork and Collaboration – The project team demonstrated an interdisciplinary and collaborative teamwork methodology throughout the planning, design, and construction phases of the project. Collaboration efforts allowed the team to incorporate feedback in design and construction to minimize impact to the environment.
Stakeholder Involvement – The project team engaged with many community members to seek feedback throughout the life of the project. Early stakeholder engagement allowed the project team to align the project with the community’s desire for sustainability and recreational amenities.
Economic Prosperity and Development – In addition to serving current and future growth in the eastern part of the County, this project supports Gwinnett’s partnership with the Rowen Foundation, a 2,000-acre knowledge community with a medical, environmental, and agricultural focus.
Climate and Resilience – The project was part of the Gwinnett County master planning efforts to evaluate the need for water and sewer infrastructure in the eastern portion of the County. During the planning and design phases, the project team considered several alternate sites and alignments to meet the goals of the project while avoiding wetlands and mitigating risks such as flooding, steep slopes, and adverse geology.
Improve Infrastructure Integration – The new sewer infrastructure allows for the future decommissioning of several wastewater pump stations into the new regional pump station, improving overall efficiency while also improving system resilience. The new five-mile trail system is co-located with the gravity sewer line, effectively integrating civil infrastructure with a community recreation asset.
PROJECT DETAILS AT-A-GLANCE
Envision-verified project: Eastern Regional Infrastructure Project
Location: Gwinnett County, Georgia
Lead Envision Firm: Freese and Nichols
Envision Award: Silver
Award Date: October 17, 2024
Total Cost of Project: $125M
Project Owner: Gwinnett County
Project Partners: JDS Inc.; Crowder Construction Company; Strack, Inc.; Atlanta Paving & Concrete Construction; Freese and Nichols, Inc.; Ardurra Group, Inc.; KCI Technologies, Inc.; Foresite Group; Gaskins Surveying Company, Inc.; Nova Engineering; Accent Creative Group; Studioverde; Arborguard; Engineering Strategies, Inc.; Precision Planning, Inc.
Project Delivery Method: Design-Build
Project Phase: Construction completion in Q4 2024
