The new storm drainage overflow pipe at Children’s Hospital snakes through a landscape buffer between the hospital and the surrounding neighborhood. Photo courtesy of Deeny Construction

Putting a storm drain overflow pipe on the grounds of Children’s Hospital required months of pre-planning by Deeny Construction, Coughlin Porter Lundeen and the hospital. The above-ground pipe was installed to help the hospital’s existing storm drainage system, which was occasionally overflowing.

HDPE pipe was used to create the line. It was fused together in 40-foot lengths and meanders through the trees. The new overflow pipe connects downstream of the existing drainage. Installing the pipe was tricky because of the site’s number of trees, its heavy undergrowth and fairly steep slope. Another challenge was building in an area that serves as a buffer between the hospital and the surrounding neighborhood. To appease the neighbors, work hours were restricted, noise levels monitored, and delivery times and locations limited.

There were no accidents on the job and the landscape received only minimal damage. The hospital reported that it didn’t receive a single complaint from the neighbors.