Remote Site Construction

E-Corp completed a Phase 2 design-build project for the NPS that involved constructing a 5,000 square foot metal building structure which tied seamlessly into the existing (Phase 1) building. E-Corp performed all of the civil scope of work with our own employees. Our team brought all of the site utilities to the building and rerouted existing drainage lines and electrical and communication conduits.

We self-performed all excavation for the building. After the new maintenance facility was completed, we demolished the old maintenance facility which contained asbestos in many forms, from plumbing insulation and building insulation, to vinyl tile backing and lead-based interior paint. We also remediated the soil underneath the building that was contaminated from vehicle fluids. This totaled over 400 cubic yards of material that had to be abated and properly disposed of. All the asbestos, lead paint, and contaminated soil was properly disposed of without incident. E-Corp took great care and planning to maintain the integrity of the natural ecosystem within the GTNP, even throughout demolition and excavation.

The toughest challenge for the project was the location. Located at the north end of the Grand Teton National Park, the area is very remote and a great distance from the normal construction infrastructure. The environmental concerns when working in such a pristine and natural environment required special precautions and planning so that we did not disturb the integrity of the natural ecosystem. Our team made every effort to preserve the natural state of the site.

The area next to the Teton mountain range is also known for its harsh winters. The area receives more than 400 inches of snow annually, and four to five feet of frost on the ground is not uncommon. E-Corp expedited the design process and worked on an extremely fast-paced design and construction schedule so that the structural components of the building could be in place before the worst of the weather became a hindrance. We completed and approved the engineered structural drawings before the 50 percent architectural designs—allowing us to begin construction on that scope of work immediately.

The Log Search and Rescue Cache at Lupine Meadows at Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) demonstrates our ability to complete winter construction. Awarded in the winter, this project was mostly completed during the winter. This project consisted of the construction of a new search and rescue “cache” building. Logs and other structural components were brought to the site before the roads closed for the winter. A small E-Corp crew worked throughout the winter, snowmobiling 20 miles each day to work on the project. By working throughout the winter, we were able to complete the project several months ahead of schedule.

E-Corp demolished the original comfort station at the Temple of Sinawava and constructed this new comfort station in its place. Located at the top of Zion Canyon, the construction site was very remote and had no power. This posed a challenge for us. To perform construction, we had to work with generator power, as well as hydraulic and powerless heating and equipment.

We also constructed a new comfort station at the Zion National Park Watchman Campground as part of this project. The Watchman Campground turned out to be on swampland. The original site drawings did not include any geo-tests, so E-Corp had to do tests, excavate around the building site, and bring in fill to rebuild the land and make it stable for the new building structure.

Both comfort stations were designed and constructed to meet LEED® Silver and Gold standards. Construction of the comfort stations included recycled floors and recycled wainscot, 100-percent recycled glass tile, 100-percent recycled class countertops, 70-percent recycled partitions, up to 90-percent certified wood, composite shingles, cement fiberboard lap siding, natural stone veneer, energy-efficient light fixtures, hand dryers, and solar tube skylights. To be LEED®-compliant, we also used low emitting materials, such as paints, adhesives, and sealants.

The waterfall you see in the picture is an ephemeral waterfall. These waterfalls don’t last much longer than a few days after a heavy rain.