Designing for Growth: SSR’s Work on the East Bank Pump Station

As Nashville’s East Bank undergoes a dramatic transformation, infrastructure is rising to meet the demands of future growth. At the heart of this evolution is the East Bank Pump Station—a critical component designed to support the emerging district’s expanding development footprint. SSR is proud to serve as the civil and structural engineer on this high-impact project, helping lay the groundwork for a thriving new district. 

A Regional Solution for a Growing City 

The East Bank Pump Station is a regional facility designed to serve the entire East Bank development area, including the new Titans Stadium. Originally scoped to support the stadium alone, the project quickly expanded in collaboration with Metro Nashville to accommodate broader infrastructure needs. The station is being built with a capacity of 10 million gallons per day, with future scalability to 15 million gallons per day—ensuring long-term viability for the area’s growth. 

In addition to the pump station itself, the project includes 3,000 linear feet of 16-inch force main, which ties back to a previously completed 60-inch force main replacement. This connection integrates the new infrastructure with existing systems, enhancing overall efficiency and reliability. 

SSR’s Comprehensive Engineering Role 

SSR is leading the charge as the prime engineer, responsible for: 

• Process design 

• Structural engineering 

• Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design 

• Instrumentation and controls 

Under a design-build agreement with Garney Construction, SSR is also managing coordination with external subconsultants handling site civil work, gravity collector systems, and architectural design. 

Progress and Timeline 

The project is currently under construction and approximately 40% complete. The design and permitting phases are fully finished, and the team is actively working on the below-grade concrete base structure. Major construction is expected to wrap up by fall 2026, with final commissioning and startup activities extending through December 2026. 

Structural Engineering Highlights 

One of the unique challenges of this project was the need for an early release foundation package. Because the foundation design typically comes last, SSR’s structural team had to front-load their efforts and complete the entire building design early in the process. This accelerated timeline required close collaboration with the contractor and other disciplines to ensure seamless integration. 

The structural scope includes reinforced concrete design and deep foundations, which were delegated to the contractor’s designer. Despite the scheduling pressure, the team delivered on time and continues to monitor updates to maintain alignment across all disciplines. 

Civil Coordination and Master Planning 

SSR’s civil team, in partnership with a team of subconsultants and Metro, contributed to a master plan for the East Bank area. The plan divides the region into multiple subzones, with the current phase installing roughly 20% of the planned infrastructure. This foundational work sets the stage for future development and ensures that utilities are in place to support long-term growth. 

Design-Build Innovation and Scheduling Success 

While the design itself followed standard practices, the project’s schedule presented a unique challenge. With the pump station’s timeline closely tied to the NFL stadium construction, SSR and Garney had to work backward from key milestones to release design packages on time. Structural design, for example, was completed at the 60% milestone—an uncommon but necessary move to keep the project on track. 

This level of coordination and responsiveness highlights SSR’s ability to adapt and deliver under pressure, ensuring that infrastructure keeps pace with Nashville’s ambitious development goals. 

Looking Ahead 

SSR’s work on the East Bank Pump Station is more than just a construction project—it’s a commitment to building the future of Nashville. With thoughtful planning, expert engineering, and a focus on long-term impact, the team is helping shape a new chapter for the city’s East Bank.