Navigating Field Constraints and Complex Tie-Ins on a 305,000-Square-Foot Landfill Closure in Central Florida
Landfill closure is rarely as straightforward as deploying materials across a prepared subgrade. Successful containment depends on careful planning, active site logistics, and an understanding of how new geosynthetics interface with existing infrastructure. When large quantities of material are involved, keeping operations on schedule requires field adaptability.
On a recently completed landfill closure project, COMANCO successfully installed 305,000 square feet of geosynthetics. To put that scale into perspective, 305,000 square feet of liner is roughly equivalent to nearly 6.5 professional football fields laid end to end. Managing a landfill liner installation of this magnitude within an active facility requires meticulous coordination between project management, field supervision, quality control personnel, and site stakeholders.
Pre-Planning and Initial Alignment
Before equipment was mobilized to the site, key leadership, including Supervisor Ubaldo Mancilla, General Superintendent Arnulfo Martinez, Assistant Project Manager Joe Lucas, and Vice President Thomas Raab, met on site with the project owner, engineer, and inspector.
This initial meeting established a shared understanding of project specifications, site logistics, and execution plans. Aligning all stakeholders before production begins helps prevent miscommunications and ensures that quality standards are met from day one.
The collaborative planning process positioned the team for success before a single panel of geosynthetic material was deployed.
Overcoming Weather and Active Site Constraints
Environmental construction rarely offers ideal conditions, and this project presented immediate logistical challenges.
Heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Isaias in October 2026 saturated the site at the start of the project, requiring crews to rework portions of the subgrade before liner installation activities could begin. The storm brought significant rainfall and challenging field conditions across portions of Florida, creating the type of saturated soils that can delay earthwork operations and complicate landfill closure construction.
In addition to wet conditions, the project was performed within an active landfill facility where daily operations continued throughout construction. Maintaining productivity while minimizing disruption required careful coordination between COMANCO personnel and facility management.
To support efficient operations, the team established a dedicated, self-contained staging area for trailers, equipment, and tools away from active landfill traffic. This controlled work zone enhanced safety, reduced operational conflicts, and allowed crews to maintain production schedules despite site constraints.
Executing Precision Tie-Ins Across Existing Infrastructure
The primary scope of work included the installation of approximately 305,000 square feet of containment materials supplied by Solmax, including:
- 40-mil HDPE black textured liner
- 200-mil double-sided geocomposite
As with many landfill closure projects, one of the most technically demanding aspects involved connecting new containment systems to existing infrastructure.
The project required precision tie-ins to two previously completed COMANCO containment installations. Integrating new geosynthetics with existing systems requires careful excavation, attention to detail, and extensive field experience to avoid damaging legacy materials.
Crews utilized a combination of hand excavation and precision equipment to expose existing liner and geocomposite systems safely. This meticulous process ensured the integrity of both the existing and newly installed materials while creating seamless transitions between containment systems.
Quality Control at the Interfaces
In landfill closure construction, long-term performance depends on the quality of every weld, seam, and material interface. Recognizing the importance of these critical connections, COMANCO integrated quality assurance and quality control into every phase of the installation. Technicians rigorously tested all extrusion and fusion welds throughout the project, and the crew’s commitment to precision, consistency, and craftsmanship resulted in an exceptional achievement:
Project By The Numbers
✅ 305,000 square feet of geosynthetics installed
✅ 6.5 football fields of containment materials deployed
✅ 2 complex tie-ins to existing landfill infrastructure
✅ Zero destructive test (DT) failures
✅ One active landfill facility maintained throughout construction
Achieving zero destructive test failures across an installation of this size reflects the expertise, craftsmanship, and commitment to quality demonstrated by the entire project team.
Delivering Long-Term Environmental Protection
The successful completion of this landfill closure project marks another strong partnership with a repeat customer and reinforces the importance of well-executed environmental containment systems.
The newly installed HDPE liner and geocomposite system will play a vital role in preventing environmental contamination, managing stormwater infiltration, and supporting the long-term performance of the landfill closure.
Projects of this scale demonstrate why field experience matters. From overcoming weather-related delays and navigating active landfill operations to executing flawless tie-ins and achieving zero destructive test failures, COMANCO continues to deliver dependable landfill liner installation and environmental containment solutions built for long-term performance.
SAFETY ★ QUALITY ★ SERVICE
COMANCO is an environmental, commercial, and civil construction company specializing in constructing containment facilities.
Complex landfill closure projects require careful coordination between earthwork, geosynthetics, and active site operations. With decades of experience in landfill closure construction, HDPE liner installation, and environmental containment systems, COMANCO delivers solutions that prioritize safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and long-term performance.
Contact COMANCO to discuss your next landfill closure, environmental containment, or geosynthetic installation project.
📍 4301 Sterling Commerce Dr, Plant City, FL 33566
📞 (813) 988-8829
🌐 www.comanco.com