Crux began work on a new geotechnical exploration project in Arizona earlier this week and is scheduled to begin three more by May 10.

The four projects are located in Arizona, California and Idaho, and involve various methods of access, including track vehicle, barge system, and helicopter.  Anticipated subsurface conditions include slate/shale, alluvial soils over sandstone, gravels and cobbles overlying basalt bedrock, and extrusive volcanic rock underlain by poorly consolidated sedimentary rock, among others.  Crux expects to complete a combined total of approximately 2,230 feet of drilling, 960 of which is assumed to be in water depths of between 7 and 15 feet.

The projects are expected to be completed in between 5 and 27 days, and come just as Crux is concluding work on a more than year-long construction project in Southern California.

Orlando, Florida — May 7-10

Crux is pleased to be exhibiting at the 2012 IEEE PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition again this year.  Come visit us at Booth 4272 to see why Crux is a leader in difficult-access and environmentally sensitive foundation construction in the transmission industry.

• Click here for additional IEEE T&D Conference details
• Click here to learn more about Crux’s innovative foundation solutions

Crux Subsurface, Inc. announced today that the company was recently acquired by Quanta Services (NYSE: PWR), an S&P 500 company and a leader in infrastructure services for the electric power, pipeline and telecommunications industries.

Established in 1998, Crux has grown steadily within the geotechnical exploration and construction markets, and is now recognized as a leader in difficult logistics solutions.  Crux management views the acquisition as a logical progression for the company. “A partnership with Quanta will allow us to meet the growing demand for our services,” says Crux Vice President of Business Development, Mark Neupert. “We evaluated several options and believe this is the best solution for our employees, investors and clients.”

Continue reading →

The Gorge Dam Second Tunnel Project, which Crux worked on in 2009, was featured in this month’s issue of World Tunnelling.  The powerhouse is operated by Seattle City Light (SCL) and has been supplying power to the city of Seattle, WA since 1924.  Once completed, the second tunnel will increase the overall efficiency of the powerhouse and is expected to help Seattle City Light realize their goal of 15% power from renewable resources.

The article discusses the regional geology, preliminary design, and exploration program of the project.   Continue reading →

Crux has been selected by Southern California Edison (SCE) to provide design build services for 13 replacement distribution towers along the Rhinedollar 12 kV alignment.  Rugged hillside terrain and high altitudes create a challenging drilling environment, and require expertise in helicopter-supported drilling.  Crux will serve as the general contractor for foundation work and will construct steel cap micropile foundations for all 13 tubular steel pole structures.

The 1.6-mile distribution line is located near Yosemite National Park and transports power from the Poole Power Plant to Lake Ellery.  Topography and ground conditions do not permit conventional access to the area, requiring helicopter construction techniques.

Continue reading →

Crux drills into new growth arena

Company builds power tower foundations at remote sites

“Crux Subsurface Inc., a Spokane Valley-based geotechnical exploration and construction company, has drilled into a growing segment of its business that involves building transmission line foundations on rugged and often environmentally protected properties.

While the company remains steady in its core “difficult-logistics” geotechnical soil and rock core drilling—work that’s often helicopter assisted for delivering workers and equipment—the company is growing its power transmission line project work. Crux currently has six contracts either in process or awarded for jobs that involve designing and building specialty piling foundations for transmission towers.”    View Full Article

The University of California, Santa Barbara’s publication The Bottom Line released an article discussing continued growth in California’s renewable energy sector. The state passed a bill in 2011 – referred to as the Renewable Portfolio Standard – that requires California utilities to provide at least 33% of their electricity from renewable sources by the year 2020. The law has contributed to significant investment in transmission line construction to transport the energy, and has created thousands of jobs.

Crux has been involved in several projects contributing to the clean energy initiative and has been awarded foundation work for three additional California transmission projects to begin in coming months.

Article: Renewable Energy Projects in California to Continue Expansion 

Crux has been awarded the design and construction of all helicopter-supported micropile foundations for Southern California Edison’s (SCE) Devers-Palo Verde No. 2 (DPV2) 500 kV transmission line project. Based on geotechnical reports, Crux expects to complete a total of 32 lattice tower foundations utilizing helicopter construction techniques.

Continue reading →

National Driller and The Foundations Report Newsletter mention Crux’s award of TL 6926.  The project is part of San Diego Gas and Electric’s Wood to Steel Program and is expected to begin in April 2012.

View Full Article