Beechwood Cemetery Expansion
Project Details
DIVISION
Heavy Civil
CLIENT
City of Durham, NC
LOCATION
Durham, NC
START DATE
July 2023
COMPLETION DATE
June 2024
SERVICES
• Clearing & Grubbing
• Excavation & Grading
• Concrete Curb & Paving
• Asphalt Paving
• Pedestrian/Single Vehicle Bridge Construction
• CIPP Sewer Lining
PROJECT VALUE
$750,000
Site Pre-Clearing
Post-Hardscape Installation
Access Bridge
Historic Beechwood Cemetery is a publicly-owned, prominently African-American cemetery located in Durham, NC. As of early 2023, the site had only 15 remaining plots, leading to a decision by the City of Durham to clear the remaining portion of the property on the southwest side of the cemetery across an unnamed tributary, and create nearly 400 new burial plots.
Chatham Civil Contracting was contracted by the City of Durham General Services Department to do the work in July of 2023, and immediately began the clearing and excavation necessary to bring utility to the new corner of land. Despite encountering excessive water and unsuitable soils on the site, Chatham Civil worked closely with both the project engineer, and our Geotechnical subcontractor to evaluate, propose, and carry out a solution which included undercut and cement stabilization.
Upon completion of the grade work and hardscapes on the far side of the project, Chatham Civil Contracting installed a 50’ long, 12’ wide, H-20 load capable, pedestrian and single lane vehicular bridge, fabricated by Contech Engineered Solutions, to provide access to the newly-constructed portion of the cemetery. The bridge included a rustic metal, trestle style rail system and concrete-paved deck, with concrete-paved approaches in advance and egress.
Chatham Civil Contracting feels fortunate and is proud to have been a part of this project that has, and will continue to preserve the heritage and longevity of this culturally-important location.