GHD recognized globally for Guam landfill closure

One of the world’s leading engineering, environmental and construction services companies, GHD, is a finalist in the global Be Inspired Awards for its work on the Ordot Dump closure in Guam.

Hosted by software company Bentley Systems, the prestigious annual awards showcase excellence and innovation in the design, construction, and operations of infrastructure projects around the world. The winners will be announced at The Year in Infrastructure 2016 Conference, November 1-3 in London, UK.

The Ordot Dump closure project has been shortlisted in the Innovation in Construction category for its use of construction management software to support collaboration. The project was selected as a finalist by a panel of distinguished industry experts out of a total of more than 300 nominations from 80 countries.

Paul Baron, GHD’s Principal for Guam and Saipan, says, “As a leading consultant in Guam, we are thrilled to see a local achievement recognized by the global infrastructure industry. Closing the site is a tremendous technical accomplishment made possible by the hard work and collaboration of many people. GHD is very proud of our role in addressing this long-running environmental issue.”

Originally built in the 1940s by the US Military, the dump was introducing toxic leachate into the Lonfit River which feeds into Pago Bay and its methane gas emissions were a source of significant air pollution.

In 2004, the Government of Guam, the US Department of Justice, and the Environmental Protection Agency agreed to a consent decree for the closing of the site, and in 2008, Gershman, Brickner & Bratton Inc. took over the dump as the court-appointed receiver.

GHD was engaged by the receiver as construction manager for the closure of the dump. This complex infrastructure project required a network of environmental safeguards, including a complete cover system, leachate collection system, gas flare, sewer system improvements, emergency backup generators, security fencing, and roadway improvements.

Collaboration between numerous contractors and specialty subcontractors was crucial to successfully delivering this project in a harsh and remote tropical environment.

GHD recognized the need for a construction management system that could facilitate communication and accountability for the entire project team and stakeholders. EADOC software was used to efficiently manage a large volume of construction documents and communications.