When Harris, Minn.-based Arcon Construction Co. was awarded the contract for reconstructing the highway drainage system along a mile of Ramsey County Road F, an apparently standard job provided the opportunity to introduce a new product to Minnesota — gasketed elliptical pipe. For the required 65 drainage structures and more than 6,000 ft. of reinforced concrete pipe, Arcon called on County Materials Corp. in Roberts, Wis., to produce the specified manholes; various footages of 48-, 42-, 33-, and 15-in. RCP; and, 450 ft. of 36- ∞ 58-in. RCP-A span pipe with a mastic joint. Thereupon, County Materials Sales Manager Jim Trudeau recommended SuperSeal Gasketed Horizontal Elliptical pipe as a superior alternative to the mortar joint pipe. Ramsey County engineer Bob Paine agreed to use the gasketed joint in view of its advantages over mastic:

• Pre-applied SuperSeal gasket provides a watertight joint.
• Elliptical shape handles the estimated water volume while meeting limited clearance needs.
• Gasketed pipe is faster to install than mastic joint pipe.

Arcon Construction's project foreman, Dave Kozlowski, confirms, “The elliptical pipe was easier to install than conventional arch pipe, with improved productivity due to the greaseless gasket.” Started in late June 2003, the entire County F drainage project was completed by September 1.

The SuperSeal Gasketed Horizontal Elliptical pipe, produced exclusively by County Materials, has been specified by companies in Wisconsin since its introduction early last year. More information can be obtained by calling 800/289-2569 or visiting the web site at www.countymaterials.com