When St. Louis University students on the Frost East Campus head back to classes this fall, there will be a subtle change in the fiber optic communications. Although not noticeable to most, this addition will provide them with easier Internet access and a score of other options.

Thanks to Midwest Trenching & Excavating, of Washington, MO, recently installing the raceway for communications and fiber optics between the dormitories, the students will be up-to-date with the latest technology the University can provide. The company installed 9,000 linear ft. (2,743 m) of conduit – a span of two city blocks – that will interface the new dorms with backbone communications, said Lorrie Keenum, president/CEO of Midwest Trenching.

Midwest Trenching, a subcontractor for PayneCrest Electric, started the project on April 15 and completed the job 30 days ahead of schedule, according to Keenum.

The company utilized a variety of equipment for the job including mini-excavators, backhoes, trenchers, directional boring equipment and vacuum trailers.

The surrounding community was not affected during the project due to the use of directional boring equipment, Keenum noted. “This was an excellent challenge for our crew and equipment. Our operators and locators executed with unparalleled accuracy. We had the proper equipment and proper planning. Additionally, by utilizing a vacuum trailer, we were able to locate existing utilities with little or no risk of damage to those utilities.”

Midwest Trenching owns the majority of its equipment. However, Keenum explained, “when we have rental and/or purchasing needs, we turn to MMECO, who services our company beyond our expectations with competitive prices and swift response time.”

One obstacle Midwest Trenching faced on the project was avoiding existing rubble up to 10 ft. (3 m) deep from previously demolished buildings. “This sent us to depths of 25 ft. in lieu of the projected 10 ft. on some portions of the project,” Keenum said.

Midwest Trenching’s key personnel on the job included Gary Meyer, project manager, and LaRayne Brune, purchasing agent. The company had approximately six-plus workers on site each day, as well as those from PayneCrest Electric, headed up by Scott Lubbert, project manager.

Midwest Trenching was formed more than 10 years ago and is fast becoming a top private company in the St. Louis area. Two years running, Midwest has been listed as one of the city’s “Fastest Growing Private Companies” by the St. Louis Business Journal and Keenum will be honored as one of 25 Most Influential Businesswomen by the same publication this month. She gained experience in the trenching industry while working for another company in the 1980s.

Midwest Trenching was formed in 1991 by Keenum, her husband Bill, and a third partner. A few years later, Keenum bought out one of the partners gaining majority control. The company performs work in St. Louis and the surrounding area, but Keenum noted that it has serviced customers as far away as Florida.

Known, according to Keenum, for “our unparalleled service,” Midwest Trenching currently employs more than 450 management and field personnel.

Midwest provides an array of trenching, excavating and auxiliary services to the area and performs such work as pole base installation; housekeeping pads; cutting and patching (asphalt and concrete); duct bank installation; placement and compaction of rock, sand, dirt, asphalt and concrete; delivery and installation of pre-cast concrete structures; site clean-up; site restoration; directional and horizontal boring; and vertical drilling.

Some of Midwest Trenching’s recent projects include using state-of-the-art directional boring technology during the lighting installation for the St. Louis Gateway Arch, and doing electrical work for Six Flags on the Batman and Mr. Freeze rides, as well as doing underground work for various universities including Maryville University and Washington University. It also has served as a subcontractor for many St. Louis companies including McCarthy, Guarantee Electrical and S.M. Wilson.

Keenum is a member of a variety of associations including the St. Louis Chapter of the American Subcontractors Association, The Associated General Contractors, the National Association of Women Business Owners, the National Association of Women in Construction and the St. Louis Chapter of the Women Presidents Organization.

For more information, call Midwest Trenching at 314/214-1616 or MMECO at 800/325-3322.