UW Engineering Drive

Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Areas of Expertise: Process Piping

The University of Wisconsin is undergoing a major expansion of its College of Engineering, highlighted by the construction of a $347 million, state-of-the-art Engineering Center. As groundwork begins, Hooper’s Process Piping team is leading critical utility upgrades beneath Engineering Drive, replacing outdated infrastructure that supports heating and cooling systems for the College of Engineering and nearby athletic facilities. Much of this work is being completed on the future site of the new center.

Hooper joined the project early, assisting with planning, coordination, and detailed CAD modeling. Our team managed project phasing and prefabrication, allowing large piping sections and components to be built off-site at our Fabrication Facility and installed quickly on-site. This approach has helped meet tight construction timelines and reduced campus disruption.

A major portion of the project takes place inside UW’s walkable steam tunnel, which links the central utility system to the engineering campus. Hooper is replacing nearly two miles of underground piping, including sections up to 30 inches in diameter and valves weighing up to 2,000 pounds—requiring cranes for precise handling. The new systems will deliver high- and low-pressure steam, pumped condensate, compressed air, helium recovery, and chilled water, improving service to the southwest campus.

Working within the steam tunnel presents logistical challenges, including confined spaces and coordination with multiple construction teams. Hooper is collaborating closely with contractors to phase work and schedule outages while maintaining essential services. Temporary systems, including a bridge over the steam tunnel and above-ground chillers and boilers, have been installed to ensure uninterrupted power and utilities.

Once complete, the 395,000-square-foot Engineering Center will offer advanced classrooms, research labs, and collaborative spaces, nearly doubling enrollment capacity and equipping students and faculty with cutting-edge resources to drive innovation.