BEULAH, N.D. (AP) — Two blizzards, nearly 30 inches of snow and frigid temperatures in Mercer County have caused challenges for builders of a $500 million urea fertilizer plant.
The Basin Electric Power Cooperative plant is the largest construction project in North Dakota, The Bismarck Tribune (https://bit.ly/2h7XDgb ) reported.
Workers already lost a full week due to the storms. Project manager Jim Greer said there has also been a loss of efficiency because workers need to wear bulky clothing and take time out in warming huts.
"We can take snow, and we can take wind, and we can take cold; but the combination of all three is pretty tough," he said.
Conditions forced the project's cold-weather plan to be implemented right after Thanksgiving. The cold-weather plan ensures safe access to the site and equipment, making constant snow removal a high priority.
Greer said the storm days and efficiencies will be made up with additional weekend hours as weather permits, or extended to the far end of the project timetable.
"We'll deal with it as it comes," he said.
This is the second time the building is being constructed. The original structure was severely damaged beyond repair during a summer storm.
There are 900 workers at the project site. From Dec. 23 through Jan. 2, crews will be on holiday.
The project is expected to be finished by the end of June 2017. Construction on the plant began in 2014.
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Information from: Bismarck Tribune, https://bismarcktribune.com/