NPS Mission - National Park Service

National Park Service FY 2013 Budget Justifications
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
FY 2013 – 2017
National Park Service
PROJECT DATA SHEET
CONST-10
Total Project Score/Ranking: 987 ⁄ 01
Programmed Funding FY: 2013
Funding Source: Line Item Construction
Project Identification
Project Title: Protect Employee’s Life/Health/Safety, Abate Asbestos in Utility Tunnel and Rehabilitate
Water Mains Charlestown Navy Yard
Project No: 150950 Unit/Facility Name: Boston National Historical Park
Region: Northeast Congressional District: MA08 State: MA
DOI Asset Code Real Property Unique
Identifier
Project Justification
API FCI-Before FCI-
Projected
40710300 112775 92 0.348 0.097
40751000 80714 100 0.145 0.000
Project Description:
This project will: 1) Abate asbestos and remove hazardous obstacles from the utility tunnel; 2) replace
the water main and the majority of water distribution pipes in the park, and 3) replace the crumpling
sidewalk which also acts as a roof to the utility tunnel to an H-25 rating. The tunnel area must be
decontaminated of asbestos fibers before any other work can begin. The abandoned gas and steam
pipes and other turn-of-the-century utilities will be removed from the tunnel along with the 16-inch
water main. Minor repairs will be made to the tunnel walls, new storm drains and grates will be
installed, and the remaining water distribution pipes will be replaced Loops will be added to existing
dead-end lines. Once the new water system has been completed and certified by the water company,
the sidewalk (which is also the utility tunnel ceiling) will be replaced in its entirety and granite curb
stones will be reset. A temporary water feed will supply water to park assets during construction.
Project Need/Benefit:
The utility tunnel is contaminated with asbestos fibers from the century-old steam lines and cluttered
with obsolete utility pipes, cables and brackets. This project will eliminate the possibility of asbestos or
other hazardous materials contaminating the harbor waters. The utility tunnel houses the main water
pipe, water meter, and shutoff valves for various subsystems in the park. Workers currently cannot
enter this hazardous area without proper certifications and safety equipment (including breathing
apparatus). The tunnel area must be accessed to reach critical shutoff valves in the water system
which date to the early 1900s.
When the water system was isolated from the city distribution system years ago, the water inlet was
incorrectly connected to a single water source leaving park assets vulnerable to fire. If the water is
shut off for any reason, decreased water pressure within the pipes would likely cause them to
collapse, resulting in catastrophic failure of the entire park water system. The water is contaminated
with rust, iron deposits and sedimentation; the park currently purchases bottled drinking water for
employees and visitors. This project will allow the water distribution system meet the current and
projected future needs of the Boston National Historical Park.
The sidewalk/utility tunnel roof is the principal pedestrian entrance and walkway though the park and
has served the public far beyond any expected service life. This must be replaced to protect
employee and visitor safety.
Ranking Categories: Identify the percent of the project that is in the following categories of need.
100 % Critical Health or Safety Deferred Maintenance 0 % Energy Policy, High Performance Sustain Bldg CI
0 % Critical Health or Safety Capital Improvement 0 % Critical Mission Deferred Maintenance
0 % Critical Resource Protection Deferred Maintenance 0 % Other Deferred Maintenance
0 % Critical Resource Protection Capital Improvement 0 % Code Compliance Capital Improvement
0 % Other Capital Improvement