Electrical Connection members team up on Gateway Arch renovation project

Renovations completed just in time for July 4^th celebration

The Electrical Connection, the partnership of IBEW Local 1 and the St. Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), was bursting with pride as St. Louisans celebrated July 4th festivities at the newly renovated Gateway Arch grounds.

That’s because six NECA contractors and more than 100 skilled IBEW Local 1 electricians and communication technicians teamed up to improve the electrical infrastructure that supports the new interactive exhibits and other attractions at the Gateway Arch National Park, formerly known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.

‘OUR WORKFORCE DELIVERS EXCELLENCE’

“While our workforce delivers excellence on all of our projects, this one was special because of the civic pride in the iconic memorial that celebrates St. Louis and its role in westward expansion,” said Frank Jacobs, IBEW Local 1 business manager.

The five-year, $380 million rejuvenation of the more than 90-acre national park included expanding the Gateway Arch Visitors’ Center, a new interactive Museum of Westward Expansion and refreshed landscaping making the grounds more accessible to downtown St. Louis. 

“NECA contractors modernized electrical and communications systems to improve the overall visitor experience in dynamic ways,” said Doug Martin, St. Louis NECA executive vice president.

“Our members are proud to have played an important role in connecting the public to St. Louis’ role in such an important chapter of U.S. history.”

WHAT THE WORK ENTAILED

NECA contractor Guarantee Electric Co. served as the prime electrical contractor for the team led by general contractors McCarthy and Kozeny Wagner.

Guarantee provided the Museum of Western Expansion with a new 4,000-amp electrical service and a fully digital communication system supporting video surveillance, security sensors and alarms, access control, fire alarms and state-of-the-technology high-speed Internet.

Meanwhile, NECA contractors Aschinger Electric and X-Cell Electric teamed up on a complete overhaul of the Arch tram infrastructure, including advanced automation and improvements to safety system backups. The contractors’ tram work was performed for the Harlan Co. 

Aschinger also completed the north and south Arch Grounds power and lighting projects for McCarthy.

NECA contractor Kaemmerlen Electric assisted Conference Technologies with upgrading the tram loading areas, including lighting, fire alarms, power for various projectors and displays and racks for AV equipment. It also included low-voltage work adding fiber optics for support of the AV equipment, displays and projectors to improve the visitor experience they wait for the trams.

Liberty Electric, another NECA contractor, installed temperature controls and low voltage electrical needs in the museum and NECA contractor Briner Electric performed work to improve Luther Ely Smith Square, including site lighting and electrical infrastructure.

For more information on the Electrical Connection, visit electricalconnection.org.