The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians replacement casino and resort project has moved to the next level by installing 5,500 tons of structural steel that will allow the construction to move upwards.
Tom Groenendal, Senior Superintendent for C.W. Driver, said the replacement casino will use 3,900 tons of the product and the hotel will take the other 1,600 tons.
"The structural steel acts as the backbone for the entire project; it supports all the other elements," he said. "It will take roughly nine to 12 weeks to get all the steel in place."
Oklahoma City-based W&W/AFCO Steel was chosen after the scope of work was sent out for proposals from five companies.
"W&W was selected as a best value partner and presented ‘outside the box' ideas to meet the schedule," Groenendal said. "Before the steel could be placed we had to complete mass excavation and grading (leveling of the site), and have rebar and concrete in place for the foundations and walls that support the steel."
The American-made steel is being fabricated in Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Arkansas and Arizona. Delivery of beams began on Sept. 11.
"We don't purchase any foreign material for our projects, nor are we ever intending to do so," said Tim Hunter, W&W/AFCO Steel Vice President/Project Manager.
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