Project Description
Incline Village, Nevada
The Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) Effluent Pipeline Replacement Project represents one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the District’s history and is a vital investment in protecting Lake Tahoe’s water quality. Through a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method, IVGID, Granite Construction and their partners successfully replaced approximately 30,000 feet of aging pipeline that conveys treated effluent out of the Tahoe Basin, ensuring compliance with federal mandates and supporting sustainable water management for decades to come.
Located within a highly sensitive environmental corridor and constrained by short work seasons, the project demanded extraordinary coordination and planning. By engaging Granite early in design, the team identified innovative solutions that accelerated construction and reduced costs. A key example was the collaborative decision to substitute welded steel pipe with a high-performance “stab-fit” alternative, eliminating a full construction season and saving millions in overall costs.
Throughout the project, the team maintained continuous communication with regulatory agencies — including NDOT and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency — while managing traffic impacts along State Route 28, one of Lake Tahoe’s busiest routes. Value engineering, environmental stewardship, and transparent partnering allowed crews to complete final tie-ins in August 2025—a full year ahead of schedule. The project not only renewed critical wastewater infrastructure but also exemplified the power of collaboration to achieve superior safety, quality and community outcomes.
Partnering Approach
Facilitated by VELO Group, the partnering process provided structure for collaboration throughout design and construction. Over seven formal partnering sessions from 2021 to 2025, the team established clear success criteria — safety, schedule, environmental protection, and public perception — and tracked progress through regular surveys and action plans.
The resolution ladder and innovation meetings promoted early issue resolution and continual improvement. Weekly field meetings and community outreach further reinforced communication and alignment among IVGID, Granite, NDOT, permitting agencies and the public.
Partnering Results
- Completed one year ahead of schedule
- Delivered millions under budget through value engineering
- Enhanced construction safety
- Achieved zero environmental violations
- Strengthened project team and multi-agency coordination and trust
- Minimized community impacts and traffic disruptions
- Improved constructability through collaborative risk management
Project Notes
- Construction duration: 2023–2025 summer construction seasons (completed one year early)
- Length: Approximately 6 miles of effluent pipeline
- Delivery method: Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR)
Awards
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency – Best in the Basin Award
Water Quality & Watershed Restoration Category (2024)
