Background

Horrocks served in numerous roles in the creation of Utah’s newest correctional facility, which is the firm's largest project to date. Located on the shores of the Great Salt Lake, the 360-acre site, with a 170-acre infrastructure footprint, was an enormous undertaking that first required roads to be designed to make the site more accessible for construction and for permanent use once the facility was completed.

Project Details

Beginning with the initial wetland study, Horrocks led planning and design for the compound’s infrastructure, including an expansive network of utility lines that serves 38 buildings. Nearly 1 million cubic yards of fill were required to bring site to grade, and then Horrocks designed approximately 7 miles of new roadway to make the facility accessible, linking to I-80.

Facility designs included a storm drainage collection system, culinary water transmission lines, and a sanitary sewer system with two lift stations. On- and off-site civil engineering services included survey, roadway, utilities, grading, and numerous environmental evaluations. Additionally, Horrocks developed several unique designs for this project to enhance safety and security, including smaller-than-standard 24-inch pipe and a filtering and grinding mechanism to process debris that might inhibit flow.

Outcomes

This large and highly complex facility houses 3,600 residents and approximately 2,500 staff members and visitors daily. The facility is designed to independently sustain itself for more than a week, if necessary. At the time of its completion, the project was the largest construction endeavor in Utah's history and was among the largest detention facility projects completed in the nation.  

Awards:

American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Utah, Engineering Excellence Grand Award, 2023 

American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) National, Engineering Excellence Recognition Award, 2023