Additional photos and details of the
Lake Gaston/Virginia Beach pipeline project

Price Brothers concrete pressure pipe reducers and elbow fittings form the inlet manifold to bring cooling water from the intake canal into the No. 7 unit's turbine building. The two elbows and pipe in the foreground carry the used water to the discharge canals.

By making use of Norfolk's vast reservoir system to carry the water part of the way, the Lake Gaston pipeline construction costs were reduced by about $32 million.

Pipeline bedding and trench details facilitate simple installation and backfilling. The design called for 3 to 3-1/2 feet cover, primarily using excavated material as bedding and backfill.

By choosing prestressed concrete cylinder pipe, the cost-conscious Lake Gaston pipeline contractors took full advantage of the built-in strength of PCCP to minimize the trouble and added expense of bringing in special bedding materials.

Pipe Joints were grouted quickly and uniformly as the PCCP was placed and joined. This special wide-track grouting machine is one reason the John D. Stephens, Inc. crew was able at times to install more than 1/4-mile of pipe per day.

In order to treat the Lake gaston water supply for Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, The city of Norfolk invested some $100 million to expand and upgrade its Moores Bridges Water Treatment Plant. Price Brothers supplied PCCP and matching fittings to Pizzagalli Construction Company in various diameters for this important project.