SUVSWD -Dry Creek Transfer Station

Summarize the project's program, features and achievements?

The Dry Creek Transfer Station stands out for its innovative use of tilt-up concrete construction, which is central to both its durability and operational efficiency. This 132,000-square-foot facility, serving seven Utah County communities, was specifically designed to withstand the daily demands of heavy equipment operations in and around the building. The trash-handling area alone covers 108,000 square feet and features an impressive 250-foot clear span roof structure, made possible by robust tilt-up concrete panels. These panels create exceptionally strong, low-maintenance surfaces throughout the building, ensuring long-term resilience against constant physical impact.

By utilizing tilt-up concrete for both interior and exterior walls, the facility minimizes maintenance needs and maximizes structural integrity—critical factors for a high-traffic, industrial environment. In addition to its advanced construction, the station includes separate residential and commercial drop-off zones, specialized recycling and hazardous materials areas, administrative offices, and a second-level educational viewing area. Operational features such as on-site scales, a mechanic’s shop, odor mitigation systems, and a remote-operated water cannon fire protection system further enhance the facility’s performance.

With its forward-thinking design and the strategic use of tilt-up concrete, the Dry Creek Transfer Station sets a new standard for sustainability, safety, and community engagement in Utah’s solid waste infrastructure.

What obstacles were overcome related to the schedule, budget, program, specification, site, etc. on this project?

Built during the height of COVID material delays and cost escalations, the transfer facility was finished on time and within 2% of the original budget.

In addition to the COVID challenges, winter/spring 2023 unleashed record-breaking precipitation in the area. At one point during Spring 2023, 3 acres of the 16-acre site was submerged in up to 6 feet of water. It was a particular challenge conditioning the wet, soft soil to support the concentrated load of the crane that lifted the 150,000-pound tilt-up panels in place. The solution was a crane road constructed of Utah County crushed slag that also acted as a dike to prevent water from accumulating directly around the building.

Through careful material and subcontractor selection, creative scheduling, the Hughes SUVSWD team managed to overcome each challenge with a focus on quality, budget, and client satisfaction.

Please communicate any engineering complexities or unique features of the panel design for this project?

The project consists of exposed tilt-up construction to provide durable surfaces on both interior and exterior surfaces of the building that require virtually no maintenance. The building also accommodates citizen traffic and large heavy machinery use with very little potential of physical damage to the finish or structure.