NEW YORK — Claudia Bilotto and Daniel Bridges have been appointed to key southeast regional leadership positions in the Southern States District (District) of WSP USA, a leading engineering and professional services consultancy.

Bilotto, who most recently led the Georgia Transportation business for WSP, will lead the entire Southern States District for the firm. Bridges has served as a senior project manager for several major transportation projects across the region for WSP and will now lead the Southern States District Transportation business.

“Both Claudia and Daniel have demonstrated experience building high-performing teams that bring our best talents to bear to serve our clients and to improve our communities,” said Stephen Dale, WSP Southeast Regional president. “I look forward to working with Claudia and Daniel and continuing their achievements and successes with WSP clients in the region.”

Bilotto joined WSP in 2014 as an assistant vice president and planning and environment manager for the Atlanta office. She has led Georgia’s Transportation business since 2017.

Her 22 years of industry experience include managing state and regional long-range plans; multi-modal countywide and corridor studies; roadway, rail, and transit feasibility studies; environmental documentation; and stakeholder and public participation strategy development and implementation for departments of transportation, transit agencies, county and city governments.

In her new role with the firm, Bilotto will be responsible for strategic business development, client service delivery and financial performance for the region. She will build on the Southern States’ current successes with a focus on developing the firm’s expertise, relationships and technical capabilities to benefit new and existing clients with their projects.

Bilotto received a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from Penn State University and a master’s degree in city planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is registered with the American Institute of Certified Planners.

During his 27 years as a project manager with WSP, Bridges has successfully led major transportation projects across the region and helped to build a competitive advantage for the southeast in design-build expertise. He moves into his new role from the Major Projects group, where he was focused on management of alternative delivery projects.

In his new leadership role, Bridges will provide leadership to grow the transportation business line, a clear definition of roles within the organization and support development of new tools and processes to continue delivering outstanding projects and services for WSP clients. His responsibilities also include oversight of the firm’s Technical Excellence Centers (TECs) and local business leads.

Throughout his career, Bridges has been responsible for finding contractor and consultant teaming partners for WSP design-build projects in the Carolinas. He recently served as project manager for the Triangle Expressway Southeast Extension (NC Route 540) in Raleigh and as the Southeast Civil TEC lead.

Bridges earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University. He is licensed as a design-build professional by the Design-Build Institute of America.

WSP’s Southern States District covers North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee.

The festivals and dates that GDOT will be attending are listed below:

The SWTP/SSTP is a document that guides how the State invests in its transportation system. This plan considers the status of all aspects of the State’s transportation system, including highways, bridges, transit, rail, airports, ports/waterways, and bicycle/pedestrian networks. The recommended funding plan outlined in the document will consider funding needs from now until 2050. The SWTP is a federally-mandated document, while the SSTP is state-mandated.

The final report is expected to be completed in the fall of 2020. There will be two stages of public involvement during this process; the Needs and Preferences survey during the fall of 2019 and a transportation trade-offs survey in the winter of 2019/spring of 2020.

If you are unable to attend one of  these festivals above, you can also visit the project website here for more information and to fill out the survey online. The survey is being offered in both English and Spanish and will be available through October 20, 2019. Any question or comments can be sent to SSTP@dot.ga.gov.

Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia’s economy and is sensitive to its citizens and its environment. 

TULSA, Okla. – Freese and Nichols, Inc., continues to strengthen its regional service offerings with the addition of Robert “Wick” Warden, PE, to lead water/wastewater treatment in our Tulsa office. His role will include the growth, development and project leadership for our treatment practice in the Oklahoma and Arkansas markets.

Warden has more than 15 years of experience as a designer and process engineer. He spent three years with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Financial Assistance Division as an engineer for the board’s grant and loan programs. He also has worked on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Warden grew up in Louisiana near the Arkansas state line and frequently traveled to Oklahoma to visit family. After attending both Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma, he started his career in the state, working on projects for Oklahoma City, Lawton, Edmond, Durant, Stillwater, and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

His experience extends to projects for public and private clients in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee and other states. He has led multidiscipline teams in the development, design, and management of water purification and resource recovery projects in small and large-scale facilities. His skills include client service, business development, biosolids, and residuals handling, advanced treatment process design, plant hydraulics, pump station analysis/design, sanitary sewer evaluations, energy management/optimization, cost estimation, financial assistance, and construction management.

“Wick is a great fit for our team, and he’ll help us bring local service in the water and wastewater treatment area to clients in the Oklahoma/Arkansas region,” said David Jackson, PE, Freese and Nichols’ Treatment Practice Leader. “He has deep connections in Oklahoma and familiarity with many of our current clients, plus a wide range of design and management experience.”

Warden is licensed as a Professional Engineer in Oklahoma, Michigan, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, and Arkansas. He has master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Oklahoma State University and is working on a Doctor of Philosophy in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at OSU.

He is active in water policy on a national level, serving on the Water Environment Federation’s Municipal Resource Recovery Design Committee and Residuals and Biosolids Committees. He also is a member of the Water Environment Federation Water Leadership Institute, Class of 2019.

“As part of Kleinfelder’s Central Texas team, I look forward to growing and maintaining a loyal client base that confidently relies on Kleinfelder to ensure construction quality, reduce uncertainties during construction, and deliver construction projects safely and cost efficiently,” commented Reeves.

With 15 years of industry experience in Central Texas, Reeves brings tremendous technical and management value to Kleinfelder’s CoMET service line. His work with clients like the Texas Department of Transportation, University of Texas, Texas State University, Austin Independent School District, Hays Consolidated Independent School District, Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), Nextera Energy, City of Austin, Travis County, and other surrounding municipalities, demonstrates his expertise across a wide range of markets in Texas.  Reeves’ management experience spans construction engineering and testing to geotechnical engineering, giving him a strong understanding of client needs and challenges at various project phases and enhancing his ability to develop well-rounded technical teams capable of meeting multifaceted delivery requirements. In addition to his success managing delivery operations and client relationships, Reeves is known for his commitment to staff development, having created and implemented training for junior engineers and technicians.

“I’m very excited about the additional management and technical leadership that Jason brings to our CoMET operations in Central Texas,” said Kelly Daniel, Kleinfelder Operations Manager. “His passion for serving clients during the construction process, leading teams that will exceed client expectations, and facilitating career development and advancement of his direct reports confirms Kleinfelder’s commitment to our clients and employees to provide quality service and growth opportunities that set us apart from competitors.”

Reeves is a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas and Colorado and holds multiple construction testing and inspection certifications.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University.

“We’re thrilled to have the workload and reach in the Houston area and Texas to support this location. With a growing list of clients, partners, projects, and team members in Katy and the surrounding region, this new location will make it more convenient for everyone to connect,” said Jon Unterreiner, Region Manager – Houston Operations. “It also gives us better access to the talented workforce in the Katy area as we continue to grow locally and statewide.”

The Katy location is the firm’s fourth office since it established a presence in Texas, joining existing offices in The Woodlands, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio.

Manhard associates in the area or visiting from one of the firm’s 10 other offices nationwide will be able to work from the Katy or Woodlands offices, depending on their needs and the locations of the clients and projects they’re working on.

Behzadi is responsible for the design and construction plans for transportation-related electrical components, including intelligent transportation system (ITS), tolling, and lighting systems for the Florida Department of Transportation and the Central Florida Expressway Authority, as well as local counties and municipalities.

Prior to joining the firm, Behzadi spent nearly 30 years specializing in design and overseeing projects related to transportation; commercial, industrial, and institutional development; renewable energy; and wastewater. Other experience includes working with local, state, and federal government officials; contract administration of construction projects; and planning, research, evaluation, plan reviews, design, operations, and management of projects and design teams.

“We’re extremely thankful to have Bahman on our team” says Dewberry Associate Vice President Keith Jackson, PE. “His background in transportation design from an electrical perspective will be invaluable to our clients and we’re eager to serve the central Florida transportation market even more in the coming years.”

Behzadi earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Rhode Island (1989). He is a professional engineer in numerous states and a member of the Florida Engineering Society and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.

“Having the opportunity to join the Dewberry team was something I couldn’t pass up,” states Behzadi. “This firm is fully committed to its clients with a set of principles and values that have endured business for more than a half-century and I am proud to represent it.”

In his new position, Jason will serve as a leader within the company’s natural resources business in the Southeast region, supporting the implementation of the unit’s business plan, focusing on client relationship management, project management, and new business opportunities.

Jason has a Master of Public Health degree and Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Florida and has been with Cardno since 2017. He has over 22 years of environmental consulting experience, most of which has been devoted to projects in the Southeast.

Jason will be relocating to Florida to help mentor our junior staff and provide support to our long-term, Florida-based clients. He has written or assisted with a variety of environmental documents including resource reports, environmental assessments, and environmental impact statements in accordance with multiple federal agency requirements pertaining to the National Environmental Policy Act. Jason is a Certified Environmental Professional, Certified Ecologist, and Professional Wetland Scientist.

“Jason’s excellent results building relationships and supporting projects throughout the Southeast led to this promotion,” said Cardno Natural Resources Business Unit Leader Stephanie Hudgins. “He will continue as a valuable asset in supporting our integrated approach to the services we provide clients throughout the region.”

“We are very pleased to have Damian join McCarthy,” said Bobby Campbell, executive vice president of McCarthy Atlanta. “We are seeing increased incidence of design/build delivery project opportunities across our region and foresee that an integrated design services manager can not only facilitate a superior project experience, but further differentiate us from our competitors.”

Hamlin will serve as a liaison with McCarthy’s architecture project partners, ensuring proper contractual agreements, collaboration and communication with the goal of a superior client and project team experience. Further, with his experience in architectural operations and integrated project leadership, he will provide guidance in team cooperation, schedule adherence and quality.

“I am extremely excited to join the McCarthy team. With a steep history of excellent building delivery and an intentional commitment to technology, diversity, process improvement, client satisfaction – plus extraordinary concern for its employee-partners, I see a team and firm with an exciting future and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to that future.”

Hamlin graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and joined his previous firm upon graduation, where he served as a Project Executive and Associate Principal. He has previously held all the office positions of the Design-Build Institute of America’s Southeast Chapter and has a passion for design and construction delivery.

“As a McKim & Creed board member, Heather will be extremely valuable in sharing her construction expertise with our growing design-build business and serving as a mentor and role model for our women who are leaders and potential leaders,” said John T. Lucey, Jr., president and CEO of McKim & Creed.

Ms. Denny built her career at McDonald York Building Company, becoming the fifth president in the history of the company in 2010. In 2013 she was named CEO, and five years later joined Wells Global to lead strategies for growth of clients and employees.

“Heather is a powerful consensus builder, an effective problem solver and an outstanding communicator. Her expertise in construction and design-build and her background in civil engineering will be instrumental in advising our leadership team as we plan for the future of McKim & Creed,” said Mr. Lucey.

Ms. Denny is a tireless volunteer within her community. She serves on the boards of Triangle Family Services; the Triangle Chapter of the American Red Cross; the John Rex Endowment; N.C. State University Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering; and Union Bank. She has also held leadership positions on the NC CEO Summit Executive Board, Durham Chamber of Commerce, City Club Raleigh, Habitat for Humanity, Urban Land Institute and Triangle Commercial Real Estate Women.

“It is an honor to be part of the McKim & Creed board,” said Ms. Denny. “I am an N.C. State Civil Engineering graduate, so McKim & Creed has been a known institution for many years. I look forward to being a part of the continued success and growth of the company, especially as it relates to my involvement with Women’s Leadership Development and the design-build section of the business.”

In addition to Ms. Denny and Mr. Lucey, McKim & Creed’s board of directors includes Mark Mulhern, senior vice president and CFO of Highwoods Properties, Inc.; Ken Garcia, president and co-founder of PrecisonLender; Fred Day, retired president/CEO of Progress Energy; and company founders Herbert P. McKim, Jr., PE, PLS and Michael W. Creed, PE, Ph.D.

The four engineers, all certified floodplain managers, offer a diverse skillset to help address complex flood control and drainage challenges for clients locally, regionally and nationally. Their broad-ranging backgrounds include floodplain mapping, channel design and work with municipalities and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

“As Texas looks to the future of flood planning, we’ll be well-positioned to help our clients with the added expertise of these talented colleagues,” said Scott Hubley, Group Manager for Freese and Nichols’ North Texas Stormwater team.

Holly Ahumada, PE, CFM, specializes in advanced 2-D modeling for large-scale water resources projects. Her experience includes preparing in-depth hydrologic and hydraulic analysis and working on multiple watershed studies in Texas and Louisiana. She has hands-on experience using ArcGIS, ICPR3, ICPR4, InfoWorks SD & ICM, Geo-RAS, HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS modeling programs.

In 2018, Ahumada was recognized as the Texas Society of Professional Engineers – Fort Worth Young Engineer of the Year. She received her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Texas A&M University.

Chris Johnson, PE, CFM, brings more than 33 years of experience in water resources program management, quality oversight and business administration. A seasoned professional with diverse experience in both public and private sectors, he joins the firm after serving as an engineering manager for the City of Fort Worth. He has overseen projects for FEMA, the USACE, TxDOT, municipalities across the state and the San Antonio River Authority.

He received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University.

Mark Scheurer, PE, CFM, is an established project manager with more than 10 years of experience in water resources engineering. He has experience overseeing hydrologic and hydraulic analysis and stormwater infrastructure design and has expertise in channel design and large-scale land development projects involving residential, commercial and industrial components. Scheurer has handled a broad range of work for municipal clients and understands the challenges presented by infrastructure near major drainage ways.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University. He is registered as a Professional Engineer in Texas as well as Colorado.

Dawit Zeweldi, PhD, PE, CFM, PH, D.WRE, brings more than 20 years of technical and managerial experience in water resources planning, design and implementation projects. He has international experience and has worked on hydraulic and hydrologic modeling projects across the United States and Texas. His experience includes multiple flood analysis projects for FEMA and work for TxDOT and USACE.  Zeweldi is proficient with flood analysis and mapping software, including HEC-RAS and the 2-D Gridded Surface/Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA) model developed by the USACE, a FEMA-approved tool that can be applied to simulate complex watersheds and subsurface water flow interactions.

He received his doctorate and master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Connecticut and his bachelor’s in irrigation engineering from Arba Minch Water Technology Institute in Ethiopia.

“EPA is committed to ensuring all Americans, regardless of their zip code, have access to safe and clean drinking water,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “With these grants, EPA is fulfilling its core mission of providing states, tribes, and territories with the resources needed to protect children from lead exposure and other contaminants and ensure all American families have safe drinking water.”

“This funding will allow communities across the southeast to enjoy safer access to clean drinking water,” said EPA Acting Region 4 Administrator Mary S. Walker. “EPA supports partnering with state agencies on investments in clean water.”

States, tribes, and territories are eligible to receive funding from two new EPA drinking water grant programs established by the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN):

• Under EPA’s new Voluntary Lead Testing in Schools and Child Care grant program, EPA will award more than $697,000 in grants to fund testing for lead in drinking water at schools and child care programs. Testing results carried out using grant funds must be made publicly available.
• Under EPA’s new Assistance for Small and Disadvantaged Communities grant program, EPA will award more than $736,000 in grants to support underserved communities with bringing public drinking water systems into compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. Funding can also be used for conducting household water quality testing, including testing for unregulated contaminants.

Under the Trump Administration, EPA has taken significant actions to modernize aging water infrastructure and reduce exposure to contaminants in drinking water:

• In 2018 the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds committed $9.6 billion in drinking water and clean water infrastructure loans and refinancing and disbursed $8.8 billion for drinking water and clean water infrastructure.
• Over the past year, EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program has issued eight loans totaling over $2 billion in WIFIA credit assistance to help finance over $4 billion for water infrastructure projects.
• EPA is undertaking the first major overhaul of the Lead and Copper Rule since 1991. EPA anticipates releasing the proposed rule in summer 2019.

Background:

State, tribal, and territorial grant allotments for the two grant programs are available on EPA’s website. As a next step, program participants will be asked to submit workplans to EPA outlining their proposed project(s) for approval and funding. EPA will announce funding details for WIIN’s third newly-created grant program dedicated to reducing lead in drinking water systems in summer 2019.

For more information, visit:  https://www.epa.gov/safewater/grants

The largest single investment is a $16.8 million contract to resurface 15.1 miles of roadway on I-75/State Route 401 from State Route 36 to State Route 155. The project, extends across Butts, Henry and Spalding counties, was awarded to C.W. Matthews Contracting Co., Inc. and E.R. Snell Contractors, Inc. The second largest project was a $15.2 million contract to resurface 9.52 miles of roadway on I-20/State Route 402 from west of Sweetwater Creek to west of State Route 5. This contract was also awarded to C.W. Matthews Contracting Co., Inc. and E.R. Snell Contractors, Inc. Both contracts, along with 22 other resurfacing contracts, represent 93 percent of the awarded funds.

Safety contracts represent five percent of the awarded funds, or $4.4 million. A $2.3 million contract was awarded to upgrade 26.48 miles of pavement markings on I-16/State Route 404 from east of State Route 29 to the Candler County line in southeast Georgia. This project will take place in both Emanuel and Treutlen counties.

The remaining two percent or $1.93 million of the awarded funds is for a single construction project to widen and reconstruct 1.32 miles of passing lanes on US 27/State Route 1 at Mulberry Creek to north of Hudson Mill Rd. This project will take place in Harris County.

The March awards bring the total construction contracts for Fiscal Year 2019 to $483 million. Fiscal Year 2019 began July 1, 2018.

Award Announcement list. Information on schedules, lane closures and detours will be available in advance of construction activities taking place.

This acquisition adds to SWCA’s presence in the Carolinas, allowing the company to better serve clients throughout the Southeast and MidAtlantic regions. It also expands SWCA’s capabilities in renewable energy and cultural resources in these regions.

“REAP is a leader in wind, solar, and historic preservation in the southeastern U.S., and we’re thrilled to welcome them to SWCA,” said SWCA CEO Joseph J. Fluder, III. “We’re also pleased to bring our wide-ranging environmental expertise to more clients in this geographic market.”

REAP founder April Montgomery will contribute leadership, technical expertise, and client relationships to SWCA’s Raleigh/Sanford office and across SWCA. “I’m excited to grow the scope of services available to our clients and to play a role in growing SWCA’s presence in the southeast. This acquisition creates great opportunities for our team, our clients and the region.”

With the acquisition of REAP, SWCA has 32 offices across the United States and provides a full spectrum of environmental services focused on planning, natural and cultural resource management, permitting, regulatory compliance, water resources, and ecological restoration. Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Phoenix, the company’s growing team of professionals combines scientific expertise with in-depth knowledge of permitting and compliance protocols to achieve technically sound, cost-effective solutions for environmental projects throughout the United States and its territories.

For more information about SWCA, visit www.swca.com.

The stand-alone two-story dining hall will be approximately 36,400 gross square feet with a project budget of $25.47 million.  The site has more than 7 feet of grade differential along the building, which requires steps in the interior footprint and several retaining conditions to accommodate access to the loading dock and the exterior grade profile.  Mechanical equipment is supported on the low roof and screened.

The interior area will contain a kitchen with walk-in freezers, refrigerators and blast chillers, servery-designated space(s), an intermediate dining mezzanine, seating to accommodate 700 guests as well as 2,500 square feet of retail dining space.  The design highlights flexibility in seating configurations, and the kitchen and servery areas will maximize the visibility and accessibility of freshly prepared foods.

“We encountered some challenges in structural design to meet the aesthetic intent of the roof and to accommodate support at the mid-level in the mezzanine structure,” says Ramakrishnan.  The two-story volume at the main entry required large cantilevers and transfer columns to conceal or minimize the visibility of structural elements in the main dining space. Adds Ramakrishnan, “We’re proud to be part of the team delivering this complex project for UNT.  The new dining hall will enhance the campus experience for current students and faculty and assist in the recruitment of future UNT students.”

Rogers-O’Brien Construction is the contractor, and Kirksey Architecture is the architect.  Construction is targeted for completion in the first quarter of 2020.

SEPI’s new brand better represents its mission to serve clients as a trusted resource, contribute to projects that improve the quality of life in its communities, and provide a rewarding employee experience through its diverse and inclusive team culture. The open, bold and colorful look of the brand further emphasizes its values to be brave, be open, choose positivity and pursue excellence.

In 2018, SEPI saw tremendous growth as it reached $40 million in revenue, grew to 360 employees in North Carolina, and expanded with significant project wins for the City of Raleigh and the North Carolina Department of Transportation. This growth has been the catalyst and underlying theme in the rebrand process.

In addition to these announcements, SEPI has relocated its Raleigh headquarters to a new office space, elevated in design to further establish SEPI as a leader in the engineering and design industry among current and potential clients. The Raleigh office move is on the heels of a recent office move in Charlotte to accommodate its growth.

“At SEPI, our vision is to promote unique client experiences, employee satisfaction, and operational excellence while aspiring to be a top-tier provider in each of our service lines,” says President and CEO Sepi Saidi. “Equipped with a fresh, new brand as well as moving into our new office spaces in downtown Raleigh and in Charlotte, we are excited to enter the next chapter of SEPI, and we look forward to partnering and collaborating with others as we continue our journey.”

SEPI has three locations throughout North Carolina including offices in Charlotte, Wilmington and its headquarters in Raleigh.

Attendees at the showcase voted to award the People’s Choice Award to the Rehabilitation of Route 141/Centre Road, praising DelDOT and its partners, AECOM, R.E. Pierson, and Century Engineering, Inc.

DelDOT won three of four available Project of the Year awards. In addition to Project of the Year accolades, each project won in several “value” categories.

Winners included:

• The Cleveland Avenue Task Force, on which DelDOT worked with Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP, and the City of Newark. This project also won the value categories of Commitment to Safety, Teamwork, and Project Necessity.
• The Rehabilitation of Centre Road (Route 141), on which DelDOT worked with AECOM, R.E. Pierson, and Century Engineering, Inc. This project also won the value categories of Value to the Traveling Public and Project Necessity.
• The McCoy Road Pedestrian Bridge project, on which DelDOT worked with Eastern Highway Specialists, Inc. and Century Engineering, Inc. This project also won the value categories of Commitment to Safety, Cost Performance, and Schedule Performance.

Two other DelDOT project were also recognized with value awards:

• The Jack A. Markell Trail, on which DelDOT worked with JJID, Rummel Klepper & Kahl, LLC., and Century Engineering, Inc, won the value categories of Quality, and Adaptability to Dynamic Circumstances/Unique Challenges.
• The I-495 Lane Extension, on which DelDOT worked with Rummel Klepper & Kahl, LLC, won a value award for Value to the Traveling Public.

“We are very proud to receive these awards from the members of the First State Section of ASHE. Having these projects recognized is a credit to the great work done by our employees, consultants, and contractors to deliver infrastructure improvements for the people of Delaware,” said Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan.

Woolpert was contracted by the city of Shelby to provide architecture, engineering and geospatial (AEG) services for the $7.6 million project. These services included park and sports planning, schematic and developmental design, construction administration, transportation and stormwater engineering, geographic information system (GIS) mapping and surveying.

Shelby Parks and Recreation Director Charlie Holtzclaw said the park already is a hit, exceeding the expectations of city officials, as well as those who came out to the grand opening on Saturday.

“Thirteen soccer games with players of all ages took place on opening day, including an exhibition game between Gardner-Webb University and East Carolina University,” Holtzclaw said. “Both college soccer coaches mentioned how impressed they were with the venue, including the quality of the Bermuda Turf, the layout and space between the fields, and the support facilities and amenities. Coaches and players commented that the fields were outstanding, and they would love to use them more often.”

Woolpert Education and Athletics Practice Leader Andrew Pack said the project was the product of multiple contributors working together toward a common goal.

“The city of Shelby, Woolpert and the contractor, Morrison Construction Co., all wanted to produce a high-quality, versatile facility that would serve the community for many years to come,” Pack said. “We love being a part of these projects that improve residents’ quality of life.”

With EPA’s WIFIA loan, Miami‐Dade Water and Sewer Department will construct deep injection wells at its three wastewater treatment plants to allow for the redirecting of treated wastewater from the ocean outfalls to these wells. This project is required to be completed by 2025 to comply with the State of Florida’s ocean outfall legislation. This project will also increase availability of reclaimed water for potential reuse, reduce sanitary sewer overflows for the county’s 2.3 million residents, increase capacity for the management of peak wet weather flows, and meet advanced wastewater treatment levels.

Miami-Dade County’s project is estimated to cost $203.5 million. EPA’s WIFIA loan will finance nearly half of that amount — up to $99.7 million. Additionally, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will finance approximately $59.8 million from its State Revolving Fund. Because both the WIFIA program and the Florida State Revolving Fund loan program offer low interest rates, the county is expected to realize significant cost savings. The WIFIA loan alone will save Miami-Dade County an estimated $15.7 million compared to typical bond issuance. Project construction and operations are expected to create 95 jobs.

EPA Administrator Wheeler was joined by U.S. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Giménez who made the announcement at the South District Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“EPA’s nearly $100 million WIFIA loan to Miami-Dade County will help construct advanced wastewater treatment technologies that will protect our oceans and beaches while creating valuable jobs,” said EPA Administrator Wheeler. “Through the WIFIA program, EPA is fulfilling several of President Trump’s top priorities simultaneously: upgrading our nation’s water infrastructure, protecting water resources, and creating well-paying jobs.”

“President Trump’s administration continues to demonstrate its commitment to helping address Florida’s unique water challenges,” said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. “These federal dollars being released by the EPA will be invested in critical water infrastructure upgrades and help protect the water supply for millions of Floridians for generations to come. We continue to do our part at the state level to push for historic investments to protect and restore our environment and water quality.”

“As an appropriator, I know how significant the WIFIA loan is to localities across the nation, and I know first-hand how far these dollars will go in our community,” said U.S. Representative Diaz-Balart. “Not only will this loan save the County nearly $30 million while improving critical infrastructure, but it will also create approximately 95 new jobs – thereby boosting our local economy. I thank Administrator Andrew Wheeler for his commitment to our nation, and for the signing of this loan. I look forward to the execution of this project and seeing its tremendous impact in Miami-Dade County.”

“By utilizing this important funding opportunity, we will be able to come into compliance with state regulatory requirements designed to ensure the safety of our water and sewer system,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “In addition to meeting state regulations, these wells that will be built will help make our county’s wastewater system much more resilient for dealing with extreme weather events because these wells will be built to withstand storm surges, an especially important proactive measure for us to undertake since the county’s wastewater treatment plants are located on the coast, and are more vulnerable to the impact of rising sea levels.”

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein said, “This substantial funding and support from Administrator Wheeler and EPA is an important step forward as Miami-Dade County works to upgrade its wastewater infrastructure to eliminate its ocean outfall. We appreciate the EPA and County’s commitment to improving Florida’s water quality and improving critical infrastructure.”

On March 29, 2019, EPA announced the availability of funding to provide an estimated $6 billion in WIFIA loans in 2019. Leveraging private capital and other funding sources, these projects could support $12 billion in water infrastructure investment and create more than 180,000 jobs. This year’s Notice of Funding Availability highlights the agency’s priority to finance projects that are ready for construction in three key areas: reducing exposure to lead and addressing emerging contaminants in drinking water systems; updating aging infrastructure; and implementing water reuse and recycling. EPA will accept letters of interest from prospective borrowers until Friday, July 5, 2019.

“Delaware has seen an increase in population of 21 percent between 2000 and 2015, and a resulting 16 percent increase in vehicle traffic during the same timeframe,” said Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan. “With our continued focus on innovation, implementing and utilizing advancements in technology will enhance our existing transportation system performance.”

“Technology in the transportation sector is rapidly evolving, making the way for innovations that improve the way we travel and, in doing so, help to reduce our carbon footprint,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper, top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which has legislative jurisdiction over our nation’s transportation and infrastructure. “This funding will enable Delaware to harness innovative technologies, including sensors and analytics, to improve user mobility, helping drivers and passengers alike arrive to their destination in a safer, quicker, more efficient and environmentally-friendly way.”

Goals of the DelDOT program include:

• Improving safety for all modes of travel by increasing awareness of traffic conditions.
• Promoting environmental and economic vitality by streamlining traffic flow and increasing transit ridership.
• Increasing connectivity and data availability for multiple modes of travel through use of artificial intelligence/machine learning to reduce recurring and nonrecurring congestion.
• Preparing to incorporate emerging transportation technologies such as Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV).

The federal grant comes from the Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) Initiative Program. The purpose is to reduce costs and improve return on investments; deliver environmental benefits through increased mobility; improve transportation system operations; improve safety; improve collection and dissemination of real-time information; monitor transportation assets; deliver economic benefits; and accelerate deployment of connect/autonomous vehicle technologies.

“We are pleased that the DOE has decided to extend Savannah River Remediation’s contract,” said John Vollmer, president of AECOM’s Management Services group. “AECOM has a long history of supporting the DOE at the Savannah River Site and extensive experience in liquid waste disposition. We are committed to safely managing the radioactive waste system at the site while reducing the state of South Carolina’s critical environmental risk.”

During the contract extension period, services that the AECOM-led joint venture will perform are operating the Defense Waste Processing Facility and Saltstone Production Facility, and continuing progress on the Tank Closure Cesium Removal demonstration and construction project and the construction of Saltstone Disposal Unit 7.

ASBPA is the nation’s first organization to promote science-based policies for the preservation of coastal areas. The theme of the 2019 conference, “Where Coasts & Rivers Meet” continues to broaden its focus across the entire physical coastal and estuarine system. The National Coastal Conference provides an opportunity for coastal stakeholders and managers to develop collaborative networks to promote best management practices, while learning the latest science, engineering and policy needed to maintain and improve the health of beachfront and estuarine shorelines and ecosystems.

In addition to the usual content of coastal science and engineering, policy and management, restoration and resilience, this year ASBPA’s conference has a dedicated call for presentations on flood risk and resource management within coastal floodplains.  Specifically, it is looking at challenges of watershed tidal interfaces especially when considering the impacts of Sea Level Rise (SLR); ASBPA wants to hear about natural resource management and restoration projects within these same zones and the specific challenges attributed to working in upland and coastal lands, share experiences in dealing with issues such as king tides and the impacts on the urban flooding environment.

Technical, policy-oriented, and coastal floodplain resource and flood risk management presentations or posters are invited for a broad range of coastal & estuarine ecology, science, engineering, economics, and policy. Specific topics include, but are not limited to:

• Design Concepts and Projects
• Green/Grey Infrastructure and Living Shorelines
• Regional Comprehensive Coastal Studies
• Lessons Learned from tropical storms/hurricanes (Florence, Michael etc.)
• Coastal & Estuarine Floodplain Landscape Architecture
• Coastal & Estuarine Floodplain Modeling
• Coastal Hazard Mapping & Analysis Tools
• Coastal & Estuarine Floodplain Resiliency
• Sea Level Guidance, Planning and Adaptive Management
• Beach Restoration and Coastal Structures
• Lagoon, Wetland, Marsh, and Estuary Restoration and Enhancement
• Regional Sediment Management
• Economics of Coastal Resources
• Federal, State, and Local Coastal Policy, Regulatory and Legal Issues
• Sand Source Rights
• Coastal Infrastructure Management
• Resiliency and Adaptation Approaches within Coastal Communities
• “Nuisance Flooding” and Urban Flooding Challenges

Presentations may be PowerPoint or poster format. Abstracts (up to 500 words) are due by May 4, 2019. Submit abstracts via the online form at https://asbpa.org/2019/02/07/2019-national-coastal-conference-abstract-submittal. Presenters are responsible for all of their expenses including travel, lodging, and registration fees. Notification of presentation status will occur by June 24, 2019.

The tower consists of a new expanded state-of-the-art emergency department and Level Two Trauma Center – the only one in a 12-county area – including four ultramodern trauma bays, imagining facilities, 200 new patient rooms, endoscopy suite, full dietary services, graduate residency spaces, with other clinical and procedural departments. In addition to the tower, a new Central Utility Plant and multiple renovation areas totaling over 12,000 square feet were completed with this phase of the master facility plan.

“We are very proud of the team’s excellent client services and capabilities in executing this large and complicated project ahead of schedule,” said McCarthy Houston Division President, Jim Stevenson. “Through extensive planning and collaboration with trade partners, the team was able to maximize flow and efficiency in the building process while working through challenges including a craft labor shortage and Hurricane Harvey.”

McCarthy’s use of best practices and client service ensured the success of this multi-building, multi-phased project. Teams spent a significant amount of time coordinating with all partners to meet the project goals. Teams utilized building information modeling and colored coordination drawings to help crews understand production goals and coordinate work within the building. Further, months of planning, testing and construction verifications were conducted by the project team to prepare the New Tower for the Texas Department of Health inspection. McCarthy and its trade partners conducted multiple pre-testing scenarios to ensure all testing would be accepted. In addition, one last round of visual inspections was conducted to ensure there would be no issues discovered during the final inspection. Through all this preparation, the inspection process was efficient and effective.

McCarthy used the latest technology to ensure quality and excellent client service including

Laser Scanning:

• In renovation areas prior to start of work to locate existing utilities and integrate existing conditions into coordination model.
• In critical areas such as the operating rooms documented the as-built condition of the new space before closure of walls and ceilings.
• Prior to concrete placement to document exact rebar locations, confirm plumbing/electrical sleeve locations, and embed placement before each deck pour.
• Documented concrete placement flatness and levelness through laser scanning.

Infrared Scanning:

• Thermal imaging on existing hospital exterior enclosure to confirm conditions and note any potential issues for repair before start of work.

BIM/VDC:

• Utilized BIM for mechanical, electrical, plumbing coordination which allowed for prefabrication elements. Prefabrication allowed for the fast track schedule and enhanced the safety and quality aspects of the installation.

Virtual Reality:

• Utilized virtual mockups using Revit and 3D goggles prior to building allowing user groups to get a feel of the space before building physical room mockups.

“These state-of-the-art facilities truly elevate the level of care available to all South Texans and makes Corpus Christi home to the region’s most advanced facility, an innovation that will benefit the lives and well-being of generations to come,” said Dr. Osbert Blow, President and Chief Medical Officer for CHRISTUS Spohn Health System.

The Project Agreement for Funding and Administration (PAFA), approved by HRTAC at a special commission meeting in Chesapeake, commits $3.56 billion for the I-64 HRBT expansion work, an amount to be paid through the Hampton Roads Transportation Fund from regional sales and gas taxes. The agreement means HRTAC will fund 95 percent of the project. Other project funding includes $200 million from the Commonwealth’s SMART SCALE program and $108 million from VDOT to fund the replacement of the South Island Trestle Bridges in Norfolk.

“The PAFA we are authorizing today would not be possible without unprecedented cooperation between HRTAC’s local and state leaders, VDOT and the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Together, we have worked to provide regional solutions and partnerships that ensure future congestion relief and connectivity throughout the region,” said HRTAC Chairman Michael Hipple.

VDOT Commissioner Stephen C. Brich commended HRTAC for making critical infrastructure investments that will improve travel time reliability and safety, promote economic growth throughout the corridor and enhance the quality of life for all Hampton Roads residents. “We are one step closer to constructing the HRBT Expansion project and HRTAC has been a committed partner in advancing this generational project,” said Brich.

Hampton Roads Connector Partners (HRCP) is the design-build team selected to deliver the project by November 1, 2025. A construction contract is expected to be executed in early April. The contract contains an early completion incentive. A groundbreaking ceremony for the HRBT Expansion Project will take place next month.

Kevin Page, Executive Director, HRTAC, said, “HRTAC, the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization and VDOT are solving our region’s highway congestion by moving highway improvement projects forward at an unprecedented pace.”

The HRBT improvements will occur in the cities of Norfolk and Hampton. Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander said, “With over one billion dollars of regional funding already invested by HRTAC in congestion relief projects under construction by VDOT, HRTAC’s funding commitment to the HRBT expansion is truly another major milestone for Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth.”

Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck said, “The nearly 200 lane miles of new and rehabilitated interstate construction currently underway is proof we are just beginning to show what Hampton Roads can do to help solve its transportation problems.”

To eliminate an existing, signalized, at-grade T-intersection at the most heavily used, primary entrance to the Virginia Tech campus, the Virginia Department of Transportation selected A. Morton Thomas and Associates, Inc. (AMT) to plan and design a new Southgate Drive / US 460 Bypass interchange and associated roadway improvements. AMT first provided extensive traffic analysis and developed an Interchange Justification Report (IJR) in support of the design efforts. A major component of the resulting $46.7 million project is a new diverging diamond interchange (DDI) in a location southeast of the existing intersection to accommodate current and planned traffic movements.

Also included are new dual bridges, featuring the Virginia Tech logo, over the Bypass and realignment of Southgate Drive from US 460 to Duck Pond Drive, introducing two new roundabout intersections along the realignment. Approximately 1 mile of the Huckleberry Trail was realigned as part of the project as well. Underpass culverts and retaining walls were designed to ensure safe and efficient passage through the area.

Because Southgate Drive is the gateway into the Virginia Tech campus, aesthetics are critically important and AMT’s landscape design blends the project into the local vernacular with a palette of familiar VT plants, agricultural board fencing, special paving areas and “Hokie Stone” walls and formliner fascia.

The number and variety of stakeholders along with adjacent, concurrent projects made the project complex, and both stakeholder and public outreach were important to the project’s success. To that end, AMT established “cross agency task forces” for design input and developed a highly-effective “drive through” animation of the project showing how it would interface with surrounding and demonstrating design constraints, safety and benefits. As noted by VDOT’s Project Manager:

“The visualization was an invaluable tool that greatly aided conveying what the various engineering and architectural designs would look like when constructed. This has helped us not only to communicate about the project with the traveling public and other stakeholders but has enabled us to identify areas in which the design needed modifications to convey the original design intent. AMT was instrumental in this process and their designers did an excellent job on the expedited schedule to accurately convey the various paper designs into a cohesive 3D digital format that allows everyone to see what it will be like to drive on the completed roadway.”

This project served as an excellent learning opportunity for some of Virginia Tech’s students, including several field trips during construction and insights on stormwater management and sustainability.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on December 13, 2017, celebrating the collaborative efforts between the client, designers, contractors, and numerous other stakeholders, which resulted in a new and improved interchange, safer and more convenient access to Virginia Tech, and contextually-appropriate features for roadway and trail users.

The 85,000-square-foot Applied Research Center (ARC) will house research and teaching laboratories, student design spaces, conference rooms and faculty offices. The building will also provide study areas for graduate students and a small amount of administrative space.

The two-story building will be located on the northwest side of campus adjacent to the Innovation, Science, and Technology Building and will also be visible from I-4.

“The ARC is a critical facility that will be essential to our ability to fulfill the University’s mission to produce industry ready students, perform applied research and support economic development in Florida,” said Dr. Terry Parker, provost and executive vice president of Florida Poly. “The building will provide the needed physical infrastructure for research success and is crucial to recruiting new research-active faculty.”

The ARC will be Florida Poly’s second academic building. HOK has designed it with the goal of creating a dynamic, functional and flexible space that will promote research growth, entrepreneurship, collaboration and connectivity for the campus.

“The Applied Research Center will be an integral element in growing a high-technology economy around campus,” said Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Poly. “The ARC will provide the research labs and facilities to attract research talent, capital investment and enhanced partnerships.”

Construction is set to begin in August 2019 and will take two years.

The speed limit reduction on MD 97 and other roads in the National Capital Region will significantly enhance pedestrian safety in some of the busiest areas of the state.

“A priority for our agency is rethinking state roads in urbanized areas to enhance pedestrian safety and access,” said MDOT SHA Administrator Greg Slater.  “MDOT SHA is approaching pedestrian safety differently than we have before. We are specifically looking at traffic calming measures in central business districts – narrowing lanes, reducing speeds, and constructing high visible crosswalks.”

Speed limits will be lowered at the following locations along MD 97:

• Between MD 586 (Veirs Mill Road) and Arcola Avenue in Wheaton from 35 mph to 25 mph;
• Between Glenallan Avenue and MD 185 (Connecticut Avenue) in Silver Spring from 45 mph to 35 mph; and
• Between MD 185 and Cherry Valley Drive from 50 mph to 45 mph.

As an active partner with local government officials, enforcement agencies and advocacy groups, MDOT SHA has initiated a comprehensive strategy to address pedestrian and bicyclist safety on MD 97 and similar urban roadways. The speed limit reductions are part of other major pedestrian and bicycle initiatives, including narrower lane widths. On MD 97 between south of I-495 (Capital Beltway) and north of the Wheaton Triangle, lane widths were reduced from 12 feet to 10 feet. The narrowed widths influence slow traffic speeds and add additional buffer space to protect pedestrians and bicyclists.

Speed limits have already been reduced on MD 190 and MD 187 in Montgomery County. Additional improvements are planned this year along MD 410 and MD 188 in Montgomery County, and MD 210, MD 410 and US 1 in Prince George’s County. More information about urban mobility program enhancements in the Capital region is available for download at https://www.roads.maryland.gov/OC/MDOTSHA-Speed-Limit-Reductions.pdf.

In addition to the speed limit reductions, this spring MDOT SHA crews will:

• Upgrade to high-visible continental crosswalks (crosswalks with vertical bars) within the Wheaton Triangle between MD 586 and MD 193 (University Boulevard), which will improve safety for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
• Adjust traffic signal timing within the Wheaton Triangle. MDOT SHA is partnering with Montgomery County Department of Transportation to install pedestrian activated beacons at the MD 97/MD 586 to facility protected pedestrian crossings.

MDOT SHA will deploy message boards alerting drivers of the reduction in speeds at these areas. For more information, log on to www.roads.maryland.gov.

The HRBT Expansion is a generational project for the Hampton Roads region and the Commonwealth of Virginia that will enhance mobility, improve emergency evacuation capabilities, reduce congestion, and increase travel time reliability.

“We took critical steps this week to advance the HRBT Expansion,” said Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “The collaboration among the CTB, VDOT, and HRTAC is the foundation for delivering the largest transportation project in Virginia’s history.”

As the procurement process is being finalized, an independent audit of the process and reassessment of associated risks was conducted. VDOT Commissioner Stephen C. Brich reported the findings to the CTB, including his certification that the project satisfies all critical components considered for a Finding of Public Interest, including project costs, assuring that the cost distribution is within industry norms, and that risk management guidelines were followed.

“The HRBT Expansion project is vital to unlocking travel challenges in the Hampton Roads region and beyond,” said VDOT Commissioner Stephen C. Brich. “This week’s forward momentum in the procurement process further unites the team’s commitment to partnership and drives the project closer to construction.”

The CTB also approved a finance plan for replacement of the southern trestles as part of the scope of the HRBT Expansion project. The South Island bridge work addresses aging infrastructure through the replacement of the 6,000-foot trestles supporting the bridge using modern, corrosion-resistant materials that will give the new structure a 100-year service life.

As announced on February 15, Hampton Roads Connector Partners was selected as the design-build team to deliver the project with a fixed contract price of $3.3 billion and project completion date of November 1, 2025. Hampton Roads Connector Partners is a joint venture consisting of multiple partners, with Dragados USA serving as lead contractor and HDR and Mott MacDonald as lead designers. The team also includes Flatiron Constructors, Vinci Construction, and Dodin Campenon Bernard. The contract is expected to be executed in April.

Over the years, the Caloosahatchee Estuary has been suffering due to impacts to natural water flows caused by residential and agricultural development in the area. The Caloosahatchee (C43) West Basin Storage Reservoir project will promote a healthy biological system through capture and controlled release of water – reducing the amount of freshwater flows to the estuary from basin runoff and harmful discharges from a nearby lake during wet periods and helping maintain a desirable minimum flow of fresh water to the estuary during dry periods.

Work includes constructing an earth-fill dam with a perimeter of approximately 16.3 miles and a separator dam of 2.8 miles in length. The reservoir will encompass approximately 10,000 acres and store 170,000 acre-feet of water when full. Work is expected to start this summer and be completed in 2024.

Lane, along with Salini Impregilo, is also working on water/wastewater megaprojects in the form of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) around the country. CSO tunnels are used in times of flooding when the tunnels will receive flows from sewer systems captured by diversion facilities. The tunnels store the water until they can convey it to wastewater treatment plants to be treated appropriately.

Lane is also involved in multiple improvement and expansion packages at water reclamation and resource facilities in the Georgia/Tennessee area that will support local water needs and help decrease the risk of water pollution for surrounding communities.

The company’s portfolio spans into other sectors such as highways and bridges, where it is constructing a section of the Wekiva Parkway in Florida, and replacing the Unionport Bridge in the Bronx, New York. In the rail, metro, and mass transit sector, it is working on the extension of the Purple Line light rail system Maryland.

Offices at The Realm, which broke ground last summer, integrates a nine-story building with 235,000 square feet of Class AA office space, 15,000 square feet for a first-floor restaurant and retail amenities, along with Crescent Park — a new public space and outdoor entertainment venue. The work for Bright Realty reflects LandDesign’s ability to design and create meaningful outdoor spaces for successful master-planned communities with varied uses and appealing, enduring public realms.

For The Realm, LandDesign is working with a team of collaborators including design architect and interior designer 505Design, the office and multifamily architect BOKA Powell, and the general contractors Hill & Wilkinson and Andres Construction. LandDesign’s involvement as the project’s planner, landscape architect and civil engineer highlights the firm’s strength in providing integrated services and their leadership in master-planned communities.

The nominations come at a time when LandDesign is growing nationwide, expanding its footprint into three new U.S. markets in the last five years, according to Rhett Crocker, LandDesign’s president. Now growing its 16-person-strong office in Texas, LandDesign has announced a number of new projects including lifestyle retail centers, master-planned communites, office parks and recreation spaces in and around Dallas.

About the awards

D CEO’s Commercial Real Estate Awards brings together the real estate industry’s most influential players for its premier award event of the year. Offices at the Realm has been nominated as best new office development in the “Projects & Deals” category. This year’s awards, hosted by D Magazine and D CEO, will be held on March 28th at Gilley’s Dallas.

The 27th annual Best Real Estate Deals of 2018 Awards, hosted by the Dallas Business Journal, will take place on April 9th at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas and honor the best commercial real estate investments and transactions consummated last year. The Realm at Castle Hills is nominated in the category of best mixed-use development.

“Our community is growing rapidly,” says Stantec Charleston Office Leader Rick Day, PE. “The addition of these seasoned professionals will allow us to provide the enhanced engineering services needed to sustain the influx of people, businesses, and entertainment options in our community.”

Bradley Prichard joins Stantec as a Civil Engineer with nearly five years of experience working on residential, aviation and transportation projects throughout the Southeast. His diverse experience includes site design, land development, and master planning. Prichard’s skills will be used to put together construction documents, technical specifications, flood and hydrology reports, while also helping with the permitting process. Prichard is originally from Birmingham, Alabama, and earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Auburn University.

Claudia Thompson joins Stantec’s highly regarded Transportation practice. As a former Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) professional, she will apply her skills as a planning specialist to develop transportation studies, planning documents, and permitting for Stantec’s clients. Thompson brings more than three years of experience as a transportation engineer with experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), land use planning, transportation policy development, and traffic impact analyses. She holds a Master of Science in Transportation from South Carolina State University.

Amanda Voges is an environmental scientist who will work with Stantec’s regulatory/resource, local government, and private clients on technical studies and ecological resource assessments. Voges brings focused skills and abilities in wetland delineations, habitat assessments, rare species and wildlife investigations, among other natural resource surveys. She recently earned a certificate in Urban and Regional Planning and her Master of Environmental Studies from the University of Charleston, where she researched aquatic ecosystem restoration opportunities for the City of Charleston to improve coastal resilience.

With the addition of these three new professionals, Stantec’s Charleston office includes nearly 50 employees providing services in water, transportation, civil and structural engineering, urban design, and landscape architecture. For further information, visit www.stantec.com.

Led by a joint-venture development team of PN Hoffman and Madison Marquette, AMT provided comprehensive civil engineering services for infrastructure including site improvements, utilities, stormwater management (SWM), grading, and sediment control, as well as providing surveying and traffic engineering. AMT’s in-house landscape architecture and dry utility engineering group provided technical coordination support to the civil engineering effort.

Phase I, valued at $2.5 billion, consists of five major buildings situated over a two-story garage and includes outdoor plazas, pocket parks, a marina, waterside piers and docks, and a prominent 1,600-foot waterfront walkway. Innovative engineering was required under particularly complex and unique conditions — excavating adjacent to the Washington Channel, designing and constructing above a Metro tunnel, accommodating a future streetcar system, and addressing utility relocations and contaminated groundwater. Throughout, designing for sustainability remained a top priority. A rainwater harvesting system was designed to pretreat runoff utilizing storm separators, capture water in a low-level cistern, and pump it to an HVAC system and public bathrooms.

Public education signage describing the system and its benefits provides awareness of the engineering work. Additionally, The Wharf includes sustainable features such as green roofs, bioretention facilities, solar panels, and energy-efficient lighting as well as floating wetlands that provide a habitat for marine species and help to clean the water of pollutants. Designed to achieve LEED ND Gold for the entire Wharf development, innovation, ingenuity, and creative solutions were daily necessities for this ultimately impactful and elegant project.

Phase I of The Wharf development project — opened in October 2017 — has successfully transformed and revitalized a waterfront area of the District, offering monumental views, a vibrant culture and economic growth.

According to Mike Higgins, vice president and general manager at Elgin Sweeper, the partnership with RoadBotics will enable many of the company’s municipal customers across Florida to receive important data about the conditions of their roads as they sweep. “Our customers in Florida deploy Elgin Sweeper products year-round to keep their streets clean of debris and sand. These sweepers traverse every road of each municipality on a regular basis. By applying RoadBotics’ technology, we turn each sweeper into a mobile data collection platform that generates a detailed pavement assessment for our customers’ entire road networks. Street sweepers have always been essential tools for improving water and air quality, and with the RoadBotics partnership, our sweepers will now also help Florida communities improve the streets themselves,” Higgins said.

Mark DeSantis, RoadBotics’ CEO, described the partnership with Elgin Sweeper as a major step forward in public infrastructure management. “More than 100 local governments across the United States have switched to our AI technology to assess their road networks because they want the reliable and objective condition data our AI platform generates. Typically, a municipality needs to wait for our team of technicians to arrive in their community to complete data collection. Now, a municipality can become a subscriber of our technology and conduct a pavement assessment immediately using Elgin Sweeper’s fleet of street sweepers. With this partnership, Elgin Sweeper’s products will keep streets clean while simultaneously providing city officials with critical data about the conditions of their roads and infrastructure. It’s a win-win,” DeSantis said.

Windshield-mounted app monitors road surface

RoadBotics’ pavement assessment technology works by mounting a smartphone to the windshield of a vehicle – in this case, a street sweeper. The smartphone collects images of the road surface using the company’s proprietary RoadSense app as the vehicle travels the roads.

The data is then analyzed using machine-learning technology, which identifies road surface damage such as potholes and cracks and results in a detailed, meter-by-meter pavement assessment of the entire road network. Government public works officials then use this data to prioritize pavement maintenance in their community (see an example of a RoadBotics pavement assessment at https://roadbotics.com/live-demo).

“Elgin Sweeper is committed to getting smart city technology, like RoadBotics, into the hands of our municipal customers in Florida – to help them achieve their mission to provide safe roads for their residents,” Higgins said. “We will be leveraging the knowledge and expertise of Environmental Products Group, our local dealer, to execute this initiative. Roll-out to the broader United States is expected to follow initial deployment to Florida.”

“With Elgin Sweeper’s products collecting data while sweeping, more municipalities will have a transparent view into the condition of their roads, and in the future, much more of their infrastructure,” DeSantis said. “Such transparency represents a revolution in the way we are able to provide safer roads and infrastructure for millions of people each day. It’s an ambitious goal, but Elgin Sweeper is the ideal partner to make it a reality.”

Moore, who specializes in transportation and land development, led a successful career in solving production efficiency issues across multiple disciplines. Prior to joining SEPI, Moore spent 15 years in various positions with the Florida Department of Transportation combined with over 18 years of leadership roles in the engineering consulting industry.

In this role Moore will work collaboratively with the leadership team to identify and target new markets for the firm as well as overseeing corporate growth initiatives to ensure the staff has the resources and skills to support future growth.

Moose has more than 35 years of experience and has led several of the firm’s largest transportation projects. Since joining SEPI in 2012, he has become an integral part of the senior leadership team and will continue to be instrumental in the advancement of the firm.

In his expanded role as Director of Infrastructure, Moose will apply his vision and expertise across all of SEPI’s lines of services, focusing on process improvement, quality assurance and control, business development strategy and client retention.

“We are proud to have incredible talent coming to SEPI and to have a team that is constantly strengthening from within,” said Sepi Saidi, president and CEO of SEPI. “It is imperative that we keep up with the always-changing landscape in our industry so we can continue to provide the best service and highest quality work for our clients. Both Steve and Barry are extremely dedicated and talented, and we look forward to the advancement SEPI will see with them on our team.”

This announcement comes on the heels of an outstanding year of growth for SEPI in 2018, in which the company reached $40 million in revenue, grew to 360 employees in North Carolina, and expanded with significant project wins for the City of Raleigh and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

As Vice President, McCarthy is responsible for the continued growth and success of Pennoni’s Florida operations through the management of client relationships and business development efforts. His engineering expertise includes more than 40 years of structural analysis, design and construction of both new and renovation projects throughout the country and internationally. He is a recognized expert in the design of buildings located in high wind hurricane zones and flood hazard areas.

McCarthy joined Pennoni in 2016 when the firm acquired the assets of McCarthy & Associates, Inc. structural engineers, the firm he founded in 1985. He is a Professional Engineer in Florida and Georgia, a Licensed Special Inspector of Threshold Buildings in Florida, a member of the National Council of Engineering Examiners, and is a licensed instrument-rated pilot. Additional notable achievements include serving three terms on the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board and serving as a long-time member of the ASCE 24 “Flood Resistant Design and Construction” Standard Committee alongside representatives from FEMA and flood experts from around the country. ASCE 24 is adopted by most building codes for the design of structures in flood hazard areas.

McCarthy is especially thrilled to continue his commitment to Pennoni as a member of the Board, stating, “I am truly honored to have been appointed to the Board of Directors and will work hard to continue the tradition of excellence here at Pennoni.”

A 1.5 million-ton-per-year ethane cracker is at the heart of the complex, which also includes six downstream chemical units and associated utilities, infrastructure and offsites.

“This milestone is the culmination of nearly seven years of hard work by Fluor’s project team and we are proud to have successfully delivered our scope,” said Mark Fields, president of Fluor’s Energy & Chemicals business in the Americas. “We brought our extensive U.S. Gulf Coast construction and megaproject expertise using our integrated solutions approach, and we are proud of the lasting positive impact this project will have on Southwest Louisiana.”

Beginning in November 2018, Fluor’s joint venture began incremental transitions of assets from the joint venture to Sasol upon completion of each unit or system. All units have been transitioned to Sasol except for the low-density polyethylene unit, which will be handed over by the end of March 2019.

The project achieved first steam in August 2018. Utilities to support the early process units were fully operational by the end of November 2018 and the linear low-density polyethylene unit achieved beneficial operations in February 2019.

More than 6,000 staff and craft were on site at peak to build the complex, which use the ethylene produced by the cracker to manufacture high-value chemicals that are used in everyday consumer products. The project team strengthened and widened more than two miles of roadway in the community to support the completion of more than 500 heavy haul transports to the project site.

The Fluor joint venture integrated a team of 30 main construction contractors and worked in collaboration with Sasol to strengthen the local economy, with more than $4 billion committed to Louisiana businesses. AMECO, Fluor’s equipment division, provided construction equipment to various subcontractors onsite.

The joint venture also invested in the local community by contributing more than $185,000 to local schools and charitable organizations throughout the project.

Supporting UNC Charlotte’s Master of Urban Design (MUD) program both directly and through its employees’ involvement, LandDesign — the firm known widely for visionary planning and landscape architecture, civil engineering and urban design — is helping educate future professionals taking the course, “Dilemmas in Modern City Planning: Digital Technology and Urban Activation.”

University students participating in the digital placemaking class work side-by-side with LandDesign’s experts to explore the use of time-lapse photography, onsite surveys, and mapping tools, which all help document user behaviors and needs in urban environments.

“Our partnership with UNC Charlotte offers a different lens and useful rigor for studying the impacts of digital technology on public space, and we’re working with students from diverse backgrounds, which further enhances the research results,” says LandDesign partner Richard Petersheim, PLA, a landscape architect. “We hope to uncover unexpected and interesting things that will make our designs better.”

In the MUD course, says Petersheim, students will survey a city plaza, an urban park, small-town streetscape as well as a large mixed-use development. Documenting the demographic traits and behaviors of people in the spaces — such as where they travel and congregate, and whether they use devices such as cell phones — the students are identifying key trends and opportunities for different design approaches.

LandDesign’s support and sponsorship of the course also helped facilitate a field trip to Florida with professionals from LandDesign’s Orlando office where students undertook field research at Walt Disney World Resort to see how digital technology is impacting experiences in highly programmed entertainment venues.

“The students and I really benefit from the partnership with LandDesign, because we’re learning about best practices in placemaking and how different client groups tend to look at experimentation, risk-taking and innovation,” says UNC Charlotte Professor Deb Ryan, who leads the course. “Our colleagues at LandDesign have real-time knowledge that helps direct student creativity.”

After more than 30 years of use at the world’s fourth busiest airport, DFW’s Runway 17C/35C was ready for a rehabilitation, becoming the first runway to be fully reconstructed since the airport’s opening in 1974. DFW partnered with Jacobs, its on-call civil engineer, to evaluate the runway and determine options to move forward – and the team made a surprising find.

“Since 17C is the most-trafficked arrival runway at DFW, it was expected that after thousands of landings, most of the runway would be compromised,” said Jacobs Program Manager Johnny Jackson.  “But our analysis showed that the runway’s base and the outer lanes still had a lot of life left, giving us more design alternatives.”

With this information, the team presented DFW with eight rehabilitation options for the more than 13,000-foot runway.  “Because of the findings under the runway’s surface, we were able to consider a structural asphalt overlay of the existing runway as an alternative to a full concrete replacement.” explained Jacobs Project Manager Brad McMullen. “Ultimately, this is what the airport chose to meet its future needs.”

The rehabilitation of 17C marks the first time DFW has used asphalt as a runway surface. The material is weather-resistant and can withstand temperatures of 190 degrees Fahrenheit without melting, making it a feasible option even under the hot Texas sun.

Changing from concrete to asphalt achieved several benefits. Because there would be less demolition, the construction schedule was reduced – minimizing the amount of time the runway would be out of service.  Costs were reduced as well; the construction estimate for full depth concrete replacement was upwards of $150 million.  With the asphalt overlay option, total costs for the project were around $130 million.  Asphalt also simplifies future runway maintenance through the next 40 years of its useful life, as repairs to asphalt can be done at night, instead of shutting down the runway for extended periods.

As the nation’s first carbon neutral airport, DFW has an unwavering commitment to sustainability.  Jacobs developed a Sustainable Design Strategy that incorporated ideas from design through construction. By keeping a good portion of the runway intact, there was significant reduction in the amount of materials going to a landfill, as well as the emissions from trucks to haul it there.  Materials that could be reused on this or other airport construction projects were preserved. In addition, the enhanced runway includes LED lighting, which can go for longer periods of time before being replaced and reduces the airport’s utility consumption.

Once into construction, the DFW, Jacobs and contractor teams worked closely together to execute the design, problem solving in real time to overcome unforeseen obstacles such as continued rainy weather.

Said Khaled Naja, executive vice president of Infrastructure and Development at DFW, “The completion of Runway 17C was a team effort with all parties focused on success as defined by DFW.  As we look ahead to future airfield renovation and rehabilitation projects, 17C will be a model for reducing the impact on our operations thanks to innovative planning and the cooperation among all of the teams involved.”

Despite those damages averted, the raging waters and record rainfall caused extensive erosion along Tennessee River banks. Also, the rising water in the system washed tons of debris onto shoreline properties, recreation areas and even into TVA dams.

Trees, logs, docks, trash and other debris were torn away and washed miles downstream, scouring and littering shorelines and clogging trash gates at some TVA dams. The deluge of debris impacted or threatened generation at several TVA dams, including Wheeler, Nickajack, Great Falls and Pickwick at a time when massive amounts of water were being pushed through the dams to prevent flooding. For example, Pickwick Dam was releasing 4 million gallons per second at its peak flow.

TVA crews including Hydro Operations, Dam Safety, and River Management worked together 24/7 to overcome any debris disruptions and to manage the river, protect Valley residents and their property, and to provide reliable power throughout the deluge.

“We had to briefly stop generation at some dams because of the huge amount of debris coming downstream,” said Stacey Parrott, general manager for Hydro Generation. “We worked with crews from across TVA to keep the gates clear, clean out excessive accumulations and address any issues created by the debris to keep our turbines working throughout this event.”

TVA’s Dam Safety team continue to be busy conducting inspections at several sites to make sure all the dams, spillway gates and other mechanisms were performing properly in the face of the massive hydraulic force generated created by February’s record high water levels and the huge amounts of water flowing through them.

“Our electrical and mechanical equipment worked reliably during the peak periods, with minimal issues,” said Jennifer Dodd, general manager of Dam Safety. “A number of systems were called upon at critical times to perform under some of the most adverse conditions we’ve ever seen, and they all operated as designed.”

Inspections ongoing

Dam safety inspections related to the recent heavy rains are still underway and will continue until heavy rains, lake levels and river flows subside.

“The inspections group will have to wait until spilling operations have stopped or slowed substantially before we can safely access the areas below most of the dams,” Dodd said. “We will be looking for evidence of scour and other issues utilizing all the tools we have.”

Ben Phillips, manager of Dam Safety Inspections, said TVA technology such as side scan sonar will be instrumental in evaluating spillway aprons in an efficient manner, Phillips said.

“We can get a look at a spillway in a few hours per dam using sonar compared to a few days or weeks per dam using divers, with less safety risk,” Phillips said.

TVA has contingency plans for all its dams in the event of emergencies such as severe weather like the recent record rainfall, and works closely with emergency management teams to prepare for these events. TVA also has spent about $400 million since 2010 on Dam Safety.

In addition to inspections after severe rain events, TVA also performs monthly, biannual and annual inspections of its hydro facilities to identify any potential issues or concerns and detailed, thorough investigations every five years. The inspections also include continuous electronic monitoring for vibrations, and rigorous structural and geological assessments.

The 95,000 square foot, five-story facility will be located off 79th Ave North on the campus of Grand Strand Medical Center. Services include physician offices for heart and vascular care, spine and neuro care, general surgery, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, and primary care.

A crane weighing 700,000 pounds. is used to install each panel weighing approximately 160,000 pounds each. Each concrete wall panel is formed and poured flat on the ground and gets “tilted” in place and supported with an internal structural steel frame. The Mashburn team will tilt-up 36, 85-foot-tall panels to construct the five-story building.

The major advantage of a five-story tilt up building is to expedite the building envelope and structure so that interior upfits can be completed sooner than a conventionally constructed building. President, Lee Mashburn, says, “We recommended this construction method as it includes a very aggressive schedule and is more cost effective for our client, which is something we value during our preconstruction process. We are proud to lead the way with the first five-story tilt up in South Carolina and look forward to doing more in the future.”

“We are excited to have been selected for this important contract with the City of Dallas,” said Thomas LeBeau, Urban’s vice president and southwest regional manager. “My colleagues and I look forward to working with the Department of Public Works to enhance infrastructure for the city and its residents.”

Urban Senior Project Manager Patrick Williams, PE, LEED AP, will serve as the firm’s lead, and the team will include subconsultants Gorrondona & Associates, the Rios Group, and IEA. The contract with the city is anticipated to include engineering services pertaining to paving & drainage and water and wastewater design. The scope of work includes boundary/topo surveying, geotechnical investigation/analysis, storm sewer design, and basic civil engineering services.

Lee County Utilities’ new Green Meadows Water Treatment Plant (WTP), which celebrated its official opening on October 29, is the first-of-its-kind plant in southwest Florida, combining new with existing technology to treat water from three different aquifers using the latest, large scale treatment technologies. Jacobs served as the prime engineer on the project, beginning with early evaluations more than a decade ago.

The new 14 million-gallons-per-day (mgd) facility replaces an aging lime softening plant, previously in operation for more than 35 years and at the end of its useful life.

The Green Meadows WTP includes a reverse osmosis (RO) system (for desalinating brackish well water), paired with an innovative ion exchange (IX) system (cation and anion exchange used to remove iron, hardness and organics from surficial aquifer fresh water), fresh water blending using a third aquifer source, degasification, disinfection and finished water chemical addition. This blend of proven, innovative technologies combined under a single system provides a dynamic, cost effective treatment plant that increases the county’s water supply treatment flexibility and reliability while reducing operational costs and treatment costs by as much as 60 percent.

The $75.4 million project – serving up to an estimated 30,000 area homes and businesses since August 2018 (and with capacity to serve up to 60,000) – includes a process building, office/operations building, standby generator, shared chemical systems, raw water sand strainers, a backwash waste pumping station, eight Upper Floridan Aquifer wells, modifications to 27 existing wells, seven electrical buildings, a 2,873-foot-deep injection well to dispose of treatment concentrate, eight miles of production well piping and five miles of service road to the production wells.

“The plant is located adjacent to environmentally sensitive areas, so it was critical to minimize disturbances to sensitive species of the nearby Imperial Marsh, as well as the deal with the logistics of seasonally flooded roads,” Jacobs Project Manager Bill Beddow reflected on additional civil engineering and site challenges beyond the water treatment regime. “The entire main plant site had to be built up two feet to be above the local high flood water level, and 67 culverts had to be installed along the road to maintain the natural wetlands sheet flow.”

Construction of a paved 5-mile-long, single lane road through the marsh required installing sixty-seven 36-inch diameter culverts, with 24 culverts alone between wells 4 and 5, and 12 culverts between well sites 11 and 12 (at Imperial Marsh), to help maintain sheet flow, while also allowing utility staff to inspect and maintain distant production wells, he added.

Jacobs’ proprietary tools

The team used Jacobs’ proprietary Source water quality and treatment modeling tool to quickly identify impacts of blending on treatment and optimize options for further proof pilot testing. They used Jacobs’ CPES tool to develop costs for various treatment variations and capacities to define best value options. Jacobs’ Bridge design tool allowed the project team to quickly and cost effectively complete the design, while Jacobs’ Preview tool helped provide 3D representations early in the design process to help solidify design decisions early. The Jacobs’ Replica tool provided the opportunity for dynamic simulations to optimize energy efficiency and confirm wellfield and plant hydraulics.

Despite numerous obstacles, including multiple wildfires, category 3 Hurricane Irma and the wettest January on record, the team persevered to deliver this state-of-the-art treatment plant under budget and on schedule, with approximately $1.5 million in cost savings for to Lee County. On Monday October 29, 2018, Lee County Utilities had their official ribbon-cutting ceremony and facility tours.

“This new water treatment plant uses modern technology and reduces the use of energy and chemicals, driving new efficiencies in water treatment while maintaining the same high-quality water to residents,” said Cecil Pendergrass, Lee County Board chairman and District 2 representative. “It also increases service capacity to more Lee County residents and businesses both now and in the future.”

The Environmental Business Journal awarded the Green Meadows WTP with a Technology Merit Award for Water Supply. Selected for developing a first-of-its-kind sustainable water supply combining new and existing large-scale treatment technologies to process water from three different aquifers, the plant increases the county’s water supply flexibility and reliability while reducing operational costs by as much as 60 percent. The water supply, in addition to the 30,000 homes and businesses, serves the Southwest Florida International Airport and Florida Gulf Coast University.

The project is also shortlisted for a Global Water Award for Water Project of the Year, which will be presented in London on April 9, 2019.

Designed to identify projects with the most potential opportunity in the upcoming year, the CG/LA reports select those with widespread benefits and strategic importance in 30 targeted countries.

“The Texas train is a transformational project that is generating attention and excitement among infrastructure experts who recognize it as a catalyst for creating jobs, boosting the economy and providing a much-needed transportation choice,” said Texas Central CEO Carlos Aguilar. “We are ushering in a new industry, backed by an international team of partners, creating local jobs, and we are proud to be recognized among some of the most important infrastructure projects in the world.”

Texas Central has brought on board several industry leaders: international railway company Renfe is the train’s operating partner; multinational firm Salini Impregilo – operating in the U.S. market with The Lane Construction Corporation – is leading the civil construction consortium that will build the train; and Bechtel, with operational headquarters in Houston, is on Texas Central’s project management services team.

In addition to seamless, safe and convenient travel between the fourth and fifth largest economies in the United States, the Texas project is estimated to create 10,000 direct jobs for each year of construction and support 1,500 full-time jobs when operational. Texas Central and its partners are committed to workforce diversity and recruiting contractors, subcontractors and employees from local job markets, universities, community colleges and workforce organizations for construction of the project and its maintenance and operation.

They also will be collaborating to create opportunities for small, minority, women, rural and veteran-owned businesses. These local companies will benefit from construction work, such as building the system and maintenance facilities, supplying materials and providing long-term support for Texas’ newest high-tech industry.

The project is transformational not only because it will be the first true high-speed train in the United States, but also because it is financed by investors. It is not a government project and will not use federal grants or state appropriations.

Last year, CG/LA recognized the Texas train in its Strategic 100 North American Infrastructure Report, calling it a crucial option “in advancing public and business interests.” The projects are “game changers,” the report said, important “for job creation, business development, long-term investment and the critical inputs that citizens demand, mobility and health, along with opportunities.”

The 200-mph Texas train will link the nation’s 4th and 5th largest economies in 90 minutes, with a midway stop in the Brazos Valley, with its 80,000 college students. As Texas adds 1,200 people a day, the train will help relieve congestion and serve the demand already there and growing, including 50,000 supercommuters now making the Houston-North Texas trip regularly.

Other U.S. projects cited in the latest report include the Detroit Capital Improvement Plan, the Purple Line Extension in Los Angeles and the New England Clean Energy Connect.

The Knoerzer facility is the first municipal wastewater treatment system of its kind to be installed in the southeastern U.S. The system uses natural processes, rather than energy-intensive chemical methods, to treat and recycle 500,000 gallons of high-strength wastewater per day generated by Acme Smoked Fish and other businesses at Pender Commerce Park.

Within a 3,000-square-foot hydroponic glass greenhouse, the Knoerzer facility creates an environment where beneficial bacteria and microorganisms can flourish within natural ecosystems. Low-maintenance, hardy plants fill the greenhouse and produce long, dense root systems that thrive in wastewater. These roots serve as a natural habitat for as many as 3,000 different microorganisms, forming a unique ecosystem that breaks down waste. By using ecosystems to quickly treat large quantities of wastewater in small spaces using low amounts of energy, the Knoerzer facility offers an attractive, cost-effective alternative for fostering economic development while also safeguarding the environment.

The project is among 196 engineering achievements from throughout the nation and the world being recognized by ACEC as the year’s finest examples of engineering excellence, and eligible for additional top national honors. Judging for the awards program — known industry-wide as the “Academy Awards of the engineering industry” — took place in February, conducted by a national 30-member panel of built environment leaders, along with experts from government, the media and academia. Award criteria focuses on uniqueness and originality, technical innovation, social and economic value, and generating excitement for the engineering profession.

Recognition of all award winners including top commendations — 20 Honor Awards, 16 Grand Awards and the prestigious “Grand Conceptor Award” for the year’s most outstanding overall engineering achievement — will take place at the annual EEA Dinner and Gala, a black-tie event to be held Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The new facility is one of the first of its type to use a consolidated campus-style approach to serve different housing groups within one building and provide multi-layered services to clients with coordinated assessment and case management on-site.

The Housing Resource Center, completed in 2018, was designed to support the efforts of the department of Virginia Beach Housing and Neighborhood Preservation by providing a one-stop shop of services, resources and training for at-risk individuals working toward permanent housing. The most vulnerable homeless families and individuals will be sheltered and housed at the facility and will have access to the support services they need.

The three-story facility includes dormitories with 49 beds for singles needing emergency shelter, 40 beds in short-term motel-style rooms for families, and 30 one-bedroom efficiency apartments for long-term residents. The Day Center provides services such as laundry, mail, showers and counseling services to anyone in need.

The Housing Resource Center provides multiple community resources for facility residents and city residents, including access to an independent health care clinic and the offices of the Virginia Department of Social Services. The clinic and the department have exterior entrances and access from within the facility to support the mission of the Housing Resource Center. Five dedicated entrances were required to provide access to the programs in the facility and to meet the design challenge to facilitate “integration while providing separation.”

Waller, Todd & Sadler Project Manager Maureen McElfresh said, “It was gratifying to be able to provide this beautiful, versatile and highly functional facility and support those in need of assistance, furthering the great work of the city.”

This was the first collaborative project between Waller, Todd & Sadler and Woolpert, which acquired the award-winning firm in January 2019. Woolpert provided civil engineering services for the Housing Resource Center, while Waller, Todd & Sadler served as the architect of record. S.B. Ballard Construction Company was the contractor.

This project also is in the running for the national APWA award, to be presented in May.

Jacobs served as program manager for the new TEXRail line, which officially opened in January. By the end of the first year of operation, Trinity Metro’s new line is expected to serve more than 8,000 daily riders. By 2035, nearly 14,000 riders are projected to ride each day.

During the past two decades, sustained growth in Dallas and Fort Worth has increased travel demands along the major roadways within the TEXRail corridor. Existing and committed roadway improvements have not kept pace with traffic volume, resulting in increased congestion and air pollution. TEXRail is one of several transit improvements aiming to address these issues and others in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, the fastest-growing U.S. metro area.

In downtown Dallas, Jacobs is partnering with the North Texas Council of Governments to address growing high-density conditions by exploring options for an automated transportation system to better connect and mobilize the thriving population; and we’re also serving as principal design consultant on Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)’s 26-mile Cotton Belt commuter line, which, when complete, will connect with TEXRail for a smooth journey throughout the metroplex.

During the TEXRail’s free trial period in its first 22 days of operation, nearly 100,000 riders hopped aboard. Each TEXRail car holds 229 seats with a total capacity of 488. As an articulated train, it’s easy to walk between cars during the ride – an end-to-end commute of 52 minutes. Car features include USB charging stations, seatback trays, overhead luggage storage and even a designated quiet car. The train also offers level boarding, making it easy for passengers with bikes, strollers, rolling luggage or wheelchairs.

Due to the excitement around the line and its impressive initial ridership, Trinity Metro is already looking into expansion plans. Since the initial 27-mile TEXRail line came in under budget, there’s potential to use the funds for future expansion routes that could serve the Fort Worth Medical District and Texas Christian University.

The Bel Air Impoundment is the largest dam project in Maryland in 30 years and sets new standards for the design of water storage reservoirs. Securing a reliable water supply for more than 14,000 residents, the new system features a 62-foot-high earthen embankment with a 20-foot-wide crest and can store up to 90 million gallons of raw water.

“The engineering and construction management services provided by Gannett Fleming were critical to the overall success of the impoundment project,” said Barry Suits, Maryland American Water president. “This project represented a true partnership between Maryland American Water, local and state officials, and Gannett Fleming to create a safe, reliable water supply solution for our customers that serves as a model for water sustainability.”

Winters Run, the river that runs through Harford County and the main source of water for Bel Air, does not provide an adequate water supply during times of drought as required by the Maryland Department of the Environment. For more than 20 years, Maryland American Water purchased additional water as needed from Harford County, but the county’s water supply was never a viable, long-term solution.

The raw water impoundment fills with water from Winters Run when stream flows are adequate and provides an essential back-up water supply for the Bel Air community when there is a need for a secondary supply. Now in service, the impoundment can provide approximately 1 million gallons per day of additional water supply.

The Gannett Fleming design team selected a bituminous geomembrane (BGM) liner to create a watertight barrier along the 2,025-foot-long dam embankment and impoundment floor. The Bel Air Impoundment project marks only the second time a company used a BGM liner to cover a dam embankment in the U.S. The BGM liner enabled the use of an exposed liner system, eliminating the need for soil cover, which reduced construction costs by an estimated $450,000.

The facility uses leading-edge, sustainable, water-quality improvement systems to clean stored water before it flows to the treatment plant, boosting the plant’s efficiency, increasing the service life of treatment filters, and enhancing drinking water taste and odor. The standard method of improving raw water involves the use of chemicals, which requires careful monitoring and can kill fish and other wildlife through over application. Natural systems eliminate fish kills and reduce chemical usage and related costs by an estimated 20 percent.

Completed seven weeks ahead of schedule, the Bel Air Impoundment project serves as a model of innovative water infrastructure design, while creating a sustainable water supply to meet community needs — now and in the future.

“Corvias elevates what municipalities can do on their own and turns daunting and costly regulations into thriving programs with benefits beyond simple governance and improved water quality,” said John Picerne, Founder at Corvias. “With our partners in Prince George’s County, we successfully implemented and completed a large scale CBP3 model solution to stormwater management, turning a regulatory mandate and fiscal burden into a program that positively impacts the health of the local watersheds and Chesapeake Bay and also improves the community with greater socio-economic impact.”

The CWP developed and implemented a turnkey stormwater management program that proved the ability to achieve regulatory compliance requirements, and create greater community buy-in and education along with long-term local economic benefits for residents and local small minority disadvantaged businesses. The recently released report shows the Clean Water Partnership has accomplished those objectives and completed the initial pilot retrofitting 2,000 acres using greater than 87% local minority and target class County businesses, and saving the County more than 40% compared to traditional, non-bundled procurements.

“This unique partnership has allowed Corvias to aggregate the County’s stormwater challenges into a performance-based, investable program,” said Greg Cannito, Partnership Innovator for Corvias. “This partnership demonstrates how to meet regulatory compliance, while reducing the burden on local government budgets, creating economic growth, and fostering better local development practices.”

The full report provides results and statistics, and is available for download at https://thecleanwaterpartnership.com/annual-report. Highlights include:

• Completed and certified retrofits over 2,000 acres – equivalent to 1,407 football fields – across 94 different projects in only 36 months. This includes projects on public schools, municipal sites, public ponds, and private property as a part of the Alternative Compliance Program. To date the Project has resulted in pollutant load reductions including 32,614 lbs. of total nitrogen, 3,269 lbs. of total phosphorous and 1,834,791 total lbs. of total suspended solid per year.
• Greening and beautifying our landscape planting 250 trees – equivalent to 65,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year – and over 6,000 shrubs and improving our local rivers and streams removing over 1.8M pounds of sediment across our County.
• 30 years of growth and investment with $132 million total economic impact of local spending, $14.6 million total tax revenue from retrofits, and 94 percent of total economic impacts will be local.
• Investing $500,000 to youth and educational programs, creating an incubator and mentor protégé development program for over 15 Prince George’s County local small minority disadvantaged businesses, supporting paid internship opportunities for 50 students.
• 15 church retrofits through the alternate compliance program (ACP), 22 schools through the partnership with the Prince George’s County Public Schools System (PGCPS), and 23 retrofits on municipal properties throughout the County through the municipal outreach program.

“The value of this partnership is multifaceted,” said Keisha Brown, Partnership Liaison for Corvias. “From the increase of the community’s awareness of adverse effects of polluted runoff to the growth of small businesses focused on green infrastructure, the EPA has validated the Clean Water Partnership as a best practice for municipalities looking to make significant environmental improvements.”

The CWP has received national recognition from the White House and EPA. The CWP has also been highlighted as a successful and innovative approach to better infrastructure from the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC). As a result of this success and recognition of the initial pilot program, many jurisdictions in the State and around the country are looking at the CWP and its results as a model to address their specific needs and requirements to tackle aging infrastructure. Universities are also paying close attention to the record-breaking success of the program and have used the CWP as a case study for their student projects.

Baltimore — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced a $202 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the City of Baltimore, Md., to help the city make system-wide upgrades to its aging wastewater infrastructure at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. Administrator Wheeler was joined by Maryland U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Mayor Catherine Pugh, Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles, Baltimore County Executive John A. Olszewski Jr., Baltimore City Department of Public Works Director Rudolph Chow, and EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio.

“This WIFIA loan will help Baltimore modernize its wastewater infrastructure, protect human health, and prevent sewage and polluted runoff from entering the Chesapeake Bay,” said Wheeler. “Through WIFIA, EPA is playing a leading role in President Trump’s efforts to upgrade our nation’s infrastructure, create jobs, and safeguard public health and the environment.”

“Maryland appreciates the support of our federal partners in helping Baltimore City promote public health and ensuring that we continue making historic progress to restore our most precious natural asset, the Chesapeake Bay,” said Governor Larry Hogan (R-MD).

Like many urban centers, the City of Baltimore is facing the immediate challenges of aging wastewater infrastructure. With EPA’s WIFIA loan, the City of Baltimore will complete 14 projects that will include a series of repairs and upgrades across its large wastewater conveyance system, finish upgrades to the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant, and make improvements to its stormwater management system. Together, these projects improve the reliability and performance of the city’s wastewater infrastructure, reduce polluted runoff and sewage from flowing into the Inner Harbor, and safeguard the significant investments that have been made toward restoring the Chesapeake Bay.

“Our water and wastewater customers have been required to shoulder the burden of paying for these long overdue and essential improvements,” said Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh. “Making these critical investments is not only long-overdue, but vital to Baltimore becoming a truly 21st Century City. We are grateful to the EPA for this low-interest loan that will assist us in managing effectively the significant costs associated with our infrastructure improvement efforts.”

Baltimore’s project is estimated to cost $942 million. EPA’s WIFIA loan will help finance more than 20 percent of that amount — up to $202 million. Additionally, Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) will finance approximately $280.5 million from its Water Quality Revolving Loan Fund and approximately $47.5 million from the Bay Restoration Grant Fund. The Maryland Water Quality Revolving Loan Fund receives an annual grant from EPA, including nearly $39 million in 2018. Because both the WIFIA program and the MDE loan program, offer low interest rates, the City is expected to realize significant cost savings. The WIFIA loan alone will save the City up to $40 million.

Background

Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program at EPA that aims to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects. EPA’s WIFIA program plays an important part in President Trump’s Infrastructure Plan, which calls for expanding project eligibility. To date, EPA has issued seven loans totaling nearly $2 billion in WIFIA credit assistance. Combined, these seven projects will create over 6,000 jobs.

On Nov. 1, 2018, EPA invited 39 projects in 16 states and D.C. to apply for a WIFIA loan. Together, the selected borrowers will receive WIFIA loans totaling approximately $5 billion to help finance over $10 billion in water infrastructure investments and create up to 155,000 jobs.

For more information about the WIFIA program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/wifia.

In 2017, Hurricane Harvey dropped 34 trillion gallons of rain over the Gulf Coast, destroying or damaging over 200,000 homes and causing $125 billion in damages. For areas that suffer from repeated flooding, voluntary property buyout programs are often a cost-effective approach to flood-risk reduction that offer property owners the opportunity to sell impacted homes at a fair market value.

The report (https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/harveybuyoutsummary.pdf) finds that this traditional buyout method is often implemented in an uncoordinated and reactionary ‘checkerboard’ pattern — after flooding has already done its damage. While well-intentioned, these buyout programs are often less effective at improving flood resilience in their execution.

The report also shows that the more proactive ‘clustered’ buyout approach can bolster communities and increase flood resiliency by repurposing newly vacant ‘clustered’ lots as natural spaces. These natural spaces can then be utilized to restore functions of floodplains, absorb and clean storm water, provide space for outdoor recreation, and improve the visual character of urban areas – all while remaining just as cost-effective as the traditional model. “Clustered buyouts provide an opportunity to merge several parcels into one and put the resulting parcel to work as green infrastructure for soaking up and storing stormwater,” said Dr. Christine Shepard, director of science for The Nature Conservancy in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Flooding from Hurricane Harvey was absolutely devastating for the Houston community. While the amount of rain was unprecedented, the flooding was exacerbated by Houston’s dense development,” said Laura Huffman, The Nature Conservancy’s Texas regional director. “This new model can help families in Houston, in Texas, and throughout the country who remain vulnerable to future flooding. It’s imperative that we seek out new, nature-based solutions to improve resiliency and protect communities.”

In Harris County, there are hundreds of thousands of homes on the list for voluntary buyouts, but there is not adequate funding or capacity to meet that need. Areas like this have flooded before and are continually at risk of flooding again. Nature-based solutions like this new approach to ‘clustered’ land buyouts can provide vital protection needed to reduce the impacts of storm damage. Recent polling in areas affected by Harvey indicates that more than 80 percent favor directing federal recovery dollars to natural infrastructure to reduce risk from future storms and increase resiliency.

The study offers a roadmap for municipalities, land trusts, and other community leaders for buyout programs that stack multiple benefits like flood-risk reduction, open space protection, and enhanced resilience — all while increasing safety and conserving funds.  The study was done through a partnership between the Texas Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, the Conservancy’s Gulf of Mexico Program, and Texas A&M University and was funded with a Grant from the Walton Family Foundation.

CDR has partnered with numerous engineering firms and departments of transportation on multiple infrastructure projects across the country. One of the most compelling features of CDR’s work includes the modular design of transportation aesthetics, which has been implemented across multiple projects in Oklahoma. Watch the case study to learn how the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and surrounding communities have responded to cost-saving and culturally connected design.

Modular designs allow our clients to reconfigure multiple design patterns into an infinite number of combinations to create miles of unique designs. For example, designs for the US-54 Kellogg/Woodlawn Interchange walls incorporated 48 modular panels to produce miles of distinctive designs along the interstate (https://www.creativedesignresolutions.com/portfolio/us54-kellogg-woodlawn-interchange-walls).

The National Recognition Award will be presented at the ACEC’s Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) Gala on May 7, 2019, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, D.C. The gala will be a part of the 2019 ACEC Annual Convention in Washington, D.C.

Through data sharing, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) provides real-time traffic signal information to Audi vehicles that are equipped with TLI. With time-to-green, the information sharing between VDOT and Audi can lead to improved operations and enhanced safety on arterial roadways. TLI lets drivers stopped at a red light know when that light will change to green and GLOSA provides speed recommendations to drivers to minimize stops at red lights.

In 2016, Audi worked with TTS to launch Traffic Light Information, an Audi feature that allows the car to communicate with the infrastructure in certain cities and metropolitan areas across the U.S. VDOT’s support of the TTS vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) service through its SmarterRoads portal makes the agency the largest single data provider in North America for this system. TTS continues to work with VDOT to expand the capability into other regions throughout the Commonwealth.

“VDOT’s collaboration with Audi, TTS, and other innovative companies leverages the Commonwealth’s data and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, preparing us for more connected and automated vehicles on our roadways,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “We are committed to improving safety, reducing congestion, and exploring opportunities to partner with the private sector.”

“We’re excited to work with the Virginia Department of Transportation to continue to bring industry-leading connectivity and mobility solutions to Audi drivers in the community near our Northern Virginia headquarters as well as to our customers across America,” said Mark Del Rosso, president, Audi of America. “Not only do vehicle-to-infrastructure technologies like GLOSA benefit drivers today, they’re also the critical steps needed as we continue toward an automated future.”

“The industry needs more agencies to lead the way like the Commonwealth has with their SmarterRoads portal.  It takes visionaries on both sides of a connected vehicle technology to make a system like this possible,” said Thomas Bauer, TTS chief executive officer. “VDOT and Audi are true pioneers that are advancing the state of the industry, and we are proud to work with both.”

Time-to-Green

Traffic Light Information, an Audi connect PRIME feature available on select 2017, 2018, and newer models, enables the car to communicate with the infrastructure in certain cities and metropolitan areas across the U.S.

When one of these select Audi models approaches a connected traffic light, it receives real-time signal information from the traffic management system that monitors traffic lights via the on-board 4G LTE data connection. When the light is red, the TLI feature will display the time remaining until the signal changes to green in the instrument cluster in front of the driver or in the head-up display (if equipped). This “time-to-green” information helps reduce stress by letting the driver know approximately how much time remains before the light changes.

Future iterations of V2I technology could include integration with the vehicle’s start/stop function, optimized navigation routing, and other predictive services. All of these services are designed to help reduce congestion and enhance mobility on crowded roadways.

GLOSA

Audi is the first manufacturer to launch Green Light Optimized Speed Advisory (GLOSA) in the U.S. GLOSA uses traffic signal information and the current position of a vehicle to display a speed recommendation that allows drivers to pass traffic lights during a green interval, in order to reduce the number of stops at red lights. The distance to stop, the speed limit profile for the area, and the signal timing plans are all used to calculate the speed recommendation displayed to the driver.

For more information, visit www.media.audiusa.com.

Auburn, Ala. — Auburn University is taking another giant step as the Southeast’s leader in structural engineering research and instruction through the construction of a $22 million Advanced Structural Testing Laboratory. The 41,500-square-foot facility will include a high bay laboratory with specially engineered floors and walls capable of handling extreme structural testing loads; a geotechnical test chamber; a concrete materials research and testing laboratory; a wind testing facility and faculty and graduate student spaces.

The 4,700-cubic-foot geotechnical test chamber is a unique feature — one of the few across the nation included in a university laboratory. It will allow students and faculty to conduct testing that has only been possible in the field until now on structures such as foundations, anchorages and towers. In addition, the wind testing facility will allow replication of the dynamic wind loads induced by hurricanes, tornadoes and other extreme wind events on large-scale specimens. These unique features, and many more, will accelerate research aimed at reducing the impacts during extreme events, and increase lifespan and safety of structures under all loading conditions.

“Auburn is at the forefront of engineering education, and by providing our students opportunities for experiential learning, we’re ensuring our graduates emerge as industry leaders,” said Auburn University President Steven Leath. “This outstanding facility enables our researchers to deliver innovative solutions to pressing industry demands — something Auburn does best.”

The laboratory will be located near Auburn University Facilities Management offices on West Samford Avenue. The construction of the new facility will allow the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering to repurpose the current structural laboratory space in the Harbert Engineering Center for other academic and research programs.

“When you combine the strong floor and strong wall with the geotechnical testing capability and all the other materials testing capabilities, we think this will be one of the best laboratories in the country — if not the best,” said Steve Taylor, associate dean for research in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. “If I’m a civil engineering student who wants to be a structural engineer, this is going to be one of the best places to go to school in the nation.”

Both projects now move into the national competition at the American Council of Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) annual Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) competition in May 2019. The national competition recognizes engineering firms that demonstrate an exceptional degree of innovation, complexity, achievement, and value through their submitted projects.

Horry County Schools Think Energy Positive project helped address Horry County’s rapid population and development growth, as well as future funding, with Horry County Schools embarking on a quarter billion-dollar endeavor to design and construct five new state-of-the-art, high efficiency, “energy positive” schools.  These schools were built simultaneously, within 21 months, with intentional design to consume less energy than they generate on an annual basis to provide cost-savings over the lifetime of the schools.

The schools are completely new construction and are the first of its kind in Horry County and the Southeastern United States. Thomas & Hutton laid the groundwork in providing site planning, civil design, survey, and landscape architecture services.  With a fundamental mission of efficiency, Thomas & Hutton’s main objectives were to foster an environment with safe and efficient transportation, provide sustainable site designs while meeting the energy goals of the project, and maintain cohesion across the school sites, in addition to accounting for the buildings’ architectural styles. All five schools were completed and ready for students in the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 school years as scheduled.

South Carolina’s Framework for Freight Camp Hall Rail project includes a 25-mile long rail line connecting Camp Hall in Ridgeland to the CSX Generating Station in Cross, South Carolina. Development within the Camp Hall Commerce Park, including Volvo Cars, has increased demand for rail service. This rail line will allow trains to transport cars and goods from Camp Hall to inland distribution centers for distribution throughout the United States and internationally.

Thomas & Hutton provided route and property surveys to analyze potential impacts and feasibility of running the rail line along privately owned properties and environmentally sensitive lands.  With combined LiDAR and ground survey, this approach provided timely data collection for design and acquisition saving the state of South Carolina money. With full operation set for June 2020, the rail service will lessen the environmental and physical impact of hundreds of trucks on the already congested Interstate 26 corridor.

T-Square Engineering’s team of experts has been providing engineering consulting services to Middle Tennessee for more than 18 years, working with private industries, government municipalities, and state transportation departments.

Upcoming project work includes a variety of industries and sectors both public and private: event centers, traffic studies, safety initiatives, commercial wastewater design, and more.

One of the reasons for T-Square Engineering’s continued success is their customer relationship process, the firm said.  The care and attention to detail given to each project guides the customer through the most difficult pressure points without the expected delays.  From regulations, approval processes, foundation building and implementation, the T-Square Engineering team enables your success while maximizing the value of your project.

“T-Square Engineering is not just Your Complete Solution because we can handle all of your Civil Engineering needs but because we care and will work tirelessly to bring your project to fruition,” said Blake Turner, Principal-Vice President at T-Square Engineering.

Hampton Roads Connector Partners is a joint venture consisting of multiple partners, with Dragados USA serving as lead contractor and HDR and Mott MacDonald as lead designers. The team also includes Flatiron Constructors, Vinci Construction, and Dodin Campenon Bernard.

This project will add two new two-lane tunnels. It will widen the four-lane sections of Interstate 64 in Hampton between Settlers Landing Road and the Phoebus shoreline, as well as the four-lane section of I-64 in Norfolk between the Willoughby shoreline and the I-564 interchange. More than 100,000 vehicles currently use this facility during peak travel periods.

This announcement follows a yearlong competitive procurement that started in December 2017 with three qualified design-build teams. Two teams submitted comprehensive technical proposals and price bids. After detailed evaluation, the proposal submitted by Hampton Roads Connector Partners has been selected as the best value proposal based on bid price and technical score. The details of the best value evaluation will be presented to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) and the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC) at their respective meetings in March.

The primary source of funding for the project is HRTAC, with applications for state and federal financial support in the process of being finalized. In addition, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will fund replacement of the bridge trestles on the Norfolk side.

“VDOT’s largest transportation project is being constructed in the heart of a region vital to Virginia’s economy, military readiness, and regional connectivity,” said Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “This would not have happened without close coordination and strategic partnership between the Commonwealth of Virginia and HRTAC.”

“HRTAC’s regional tax and user-supported funding, with anticipated state and federal funds, for the HRBT Expansion Project will continue to ensure future congestion relief and connectivity through regional solutions and partnership with VDOT,” said HRTAC Chairman Michael Hipple. “HRTAC and the Commonwealth Transportation Board are already funding partners in the delivery of more than a billion dollars’ worth of transportation projects that will enhance the quality of life and economic vitality in the Hampton Roads region.”

Additional information is available on www.hrbtexpansion.org.

Additionally, none of Atlanta’s significant transportation corridors were named in the global organization’s Top 10 Worst U.S. Corridors list. New York City’s Cross Bronx Expressway, Chicago’s Eisenhower Expressway and Los Angeles’ Interstate 10 were named the worst corridors in the nation.

When compared to cities across the globe, Atlanta ranked No. 71, with Moscow, Russia holding the No. 1 spot as the most congested city in the world according to INRIX’s 2018 Global Traffic Scorecard, which measures time lost due to traffic congestion based on time of day.

Despite not being among the worst cities for congestion, INRIX’s findings show that Atlanta commuters do lose an average 108 hours annually due to traffic congestion – and that the cost of congestion per driver totals $1,505.

“The Georgia Department of Transportation has made significant progress in improving mobility throughout the state in recent years,” said Georgia DOT State Traffic Engineer Andrew Heath. “We will continue to make strides to enhance our roadways by reducing congestion and improving safety and functionality across the board.”

Multiple transformative projects have recently been opened to traffic or are currently in development or under construction in Georgia. These projects include:

• Northwest Corridor Express Lanes — Opened to traffic in September 2018, this project added nearly 30 miles of fully reversible, tolled lanes along the I-75 and I-575 corridors northwest of Atlanta. The new lanes have significantly reduced congestion along the I-75 Corridor, cutting average travel times in the general purpose lanes in half and reducing the total time of both morning and evening rush hour. Within four months of opening, commuters took more than 2.5 million trips in the new express lanes.
• I-75 South Metro Express Lanes — This system of fully reversible, barrier separated toll lanes runs 12 miles along I-75 south of Atlanta. The lanes offer more reliable trip times for motorists and have significantly reduced congestion in the corridor.
• I-85 Express Lanes Extension — Opened to traffic in November 2018, this project added 10 miles of new tolled lanes north of the existing I-85 Express Lanes to help improve traffic flow, increase options and provide more reliable travel times for motorists and to serve transit and vanpool riders.
• Transform 285/400 — Under construction since late 2016, this project will reduce traffic congestion and enhance safety in the area near the I-285/SR 400 interchange in north metro Atlanta. This priority project adds new flyover ramps, new collector-distributor lanes and other facilities to aid east-west travel along I-285 and north-south travel along SR 400. The project will improve 4.3 miles of I-285 from west of Roswell Road to east of Ashford Dunwoody Road and 6.2 miles along SR 400 from the Glenridge Connector to Spalding Drive. The project will be completed in late 2020.

In addition, Georgia’s Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP) consists of 11 major projects that will greatly improve mobility and reduce congestion statewide. MMIP projects planned for metro Atlanta, which will all be open to traffic, under construction or under contract by 2026, include new Express Lanes along SR 400 and top end I-285 between I-75 and I-85; major interchange reconstruction projects at I-285 and I-20 east and west of Atlanta; and interstate widening projects on I-85 northeast of Atlanta. Together, these projects will improve mobility in metro Atlanta and statewide, provide congestion relief for motorists and commercial vehicles and accommodate additional vehicle traffic resulting from Atlanta’s booming population growth.

RES has led several high-profile projects across the state and nation to safeguard local flora and fauna and the sensitive ecosystems they inhabit. Texas Central’s partnership with RES reflects its commitment to low-impact design strategies and environmental stewardship, avoiding and minimizing ecological effects during construction and operation of the passenger line.

RES, the largest ecosystem restoration provider in the United States, will help Texas Central meet or exceed regulatory requirements for environmental mitigation, and it proactively will collaborate with community leaders to identify local and regional conservation opportunities. Over the past decade, the company, in projects across the country, has restored more than 58,000 acres of wetlands, enhanced more than 290 miles of streams and planted more than 14 million restorative trees.

“The elite team of ecologists at RES will help safeguard local ecosystems, and this is one more example of our approach to protect the land and wildlife in a delicate manner. As Texans, RES understands the importance that Texans place on preserving the natural beauty of our great state, and we are confident that this systematic approach to restoring and preserving sensitive ecosystems will result in widespread improvements across the region and beyond,” said Texas Central’s Bill Tucker, the project delivery director.

RES joins a team of global leaders designing and building the Texas train, and it will be responsible for protecting the natural beauty of Texas while also equipping the state to be economically competitive in the 21st century.

“We believe that by engaging with partners dedicated to low-impact design and development, it’s possible to achieve both environmental sustainability and advanced infrastructure,” said Elliott Bouillion, RES CEO. “The Texas high-speed train is an excellent example of how a modern, green infrastructure approach can be harnessed for both ecological and economic benefits.”

RES will develop a far-reaching plan to rebuild and restore wetlands and streams in the impacted watersheds as part of a comprehensive mitigation strategy. Preliminary ecological planning calls for stream and wetland restoration, enhancing the viability of several sub-watersheds close to the route.

Brian Trusty of Dallas, vice president of the Audubon Society, praised the move to bring on RES. “At Audubon, we believe the project is a win-win opportunity for both Texans and the wildlife in our state,” he said. “Providing large-scale transportation opportunities that work to reduce carbon emissions, while supporting further economic prosperity and connectivity between the Dallas and Houston metro areas, is progressive and forward-looking. Partnering with RES ensures the project will be done right, and we are thankful to see Texas Central take this step.”

The project’s scale will allow RES to identify not only isolated pockets along the route that require restoration, but also entire complexes of streams and wetlands suitable for improvement and conservation. Specifically, RES will select mitigation sites and designs that collectively improve the ecological functions of broad areas, including some near the Trinity River, Navasota River, Spring Creek and Cypress Creek.

RES will help ensure that project meets or exceeds all environmental mitigation requirements and enhances local ecosystems and communities. This will help strengthen and connect wildlife habitat corridors, improve water quality along the route and increase flood resiliency. That work will be in collaboration with the USACE, which has solicited public comments on the Section 404 application now under review for the project.

The company’s experience and Texas roots give it the expertise to support all aspects of the project, such as working with landowners, regulators, local communities and others. This approach has earned it respect from the environmental industry, and its work creating a mitigation area for Louisiana’s Maurepas Swamp was honored this year by the Environmental Business Journal.

Other prominent projects have included the Bois d’Arc Lake Mitigation Area, the largest permittee responsible mitigation project in U.S. history. This mitigation project supports a 16,600-acre reservoir being built in Fannin County to provide critical new water services to 80 communities in North Texas, and the restoration area encompasses more than 8,500 acres of wetlands, 70 miles of streams, 3,200 acres of native grasslands and 2,600 acres of non-wetland forests.

Additional work includes the Brooks Creek Wetland Mitigation Bank in Bowie County and the Robinson Fork Stream Mitigation Bank, the largest floodplain restoration project in the northeastern United States.

This environmental work, combined with innovations of the all-electric high-speed train system, will provide the most environmentally friendly travel choice for journeys between Houston and North Texas. The train is estimated to remove more than 14,630 cars per day from interstate 45, offsetting emissions in an area covering four counties that are in air quality nonattainment status.

Among other benefits:

• As compared to highway development, for every one mile of high-speed railroad tracks, about 450 acres of farmland will be preserved.
• The all-electric system will utilize the latest in green technologies, such as regenerative braking systems.
• Texas will use the newest generation of Shinkansen trains, the N700 Supreme, which consumes 7 percent less energy and weighs 7 tons less than the previous model. Lighter trains result in less noise, vibration and impacts on materials and land.
• The route largely follows existing rights-of-way corridors, resulting in the fewest possible impacts to socioeconomic, natural, physical and cultural environments.

As outlined in the company’s safety and environmental policies, “Texas Central is fully committed to establishing a culture that provides the greatest care for the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) of those working on the project, creating a safe system for future operations and maintenance, and catering to the needs of people in communities where we work and of course for you as passengers of the railroad.”

Consistent with Texas Central’s commitment to create opportunities for small, minority, women, rural and veteran-owned businesses, RES has engaged several small businesses to support its work for the project.

The project, besides offering seamless, safe and convenient travel between the nation’s fourth and fifth largest economies, will create an estimated 10,000 jobs each year of construction and 1,500 full-time jobs when operational, and generate a range of indirect economic benefits upon completion.

“Our team is proud to support the City of Naples in its mission of environmental stewardship and resiliency,” said Kelly Smith, PE, Senior Principal and Project Manager with Stantec, prime consultant for project design and engineering. “What began as a predominantly engineering issue dealing with sediment and it’s environmental impact, grew into an impactful opportunity to provide a more comprehensive water quality enhancement for Naples Bay that also provides an interactive and aesthetically improved experience for Naples residents and guests.”

“This is a project that the City Stormwater Division staff believes the City of Naples and general public can really be proud of,” added Andrew Holland, Naples City Project Manager. “The project goals of restoring and enhancing the ecosystem and habitat, protecting the environment and connecting the public with Naples Bay serve to deliver lasting, meaningful benefits to our community.”

Project Context and Scope

Naples Bay and its contributing watershed have been dramatically altered by development over time. Associated with various water management projects, the watershed of Naples Bay has expanded from approximately 10 square miles in size to its current 160 square miles.

Enhancing water quality for its residents, visitors, and neighbors is an important part of the city’s environmental stewardship. To this end, the city identified the need to investigate the ecological and environmental conditions at the Cove Pump Station outfall. Analysis of the existing conditions at the outfall identified significant sediment transport, a low functioning ecosystem, and impaired hydraulic conditions arising from the operation of the Cove Pump Station that serves Basin III (otherwise known as Naples Bay). The project team performed an in-depth analysis of stormwater Basin III, undertook city-wide planning initiatives and historical stormwater improvements to guide the design through conceptual and preliminary design stages for final city council approval. Stakeholder involvement in the project was identified at the outset as a chief priority, with the project team holding a public information meeting to solicit feedback from potentially affected residents and environmental organizations such as The Conservancy of Southwest Florida. The project supports the 20-Year Naples Bay Restoration plan by incorporating water quality improvements with natural wetland restoration in the form of a “living shoreline” concept.

The City of Naples worked in close collaboration with Stantec to deliver this award-winning sustainable project.

The Envision system examines the impact of sustainable infrastructure projects as a whole, through five distinct categories: Quality of Life, Leadership, Resource Allocation, Natural World, and Climate and Resilience. These key areas contribute to the positive social, economic, and environmental impacts on a community.

“During a time when Florida waterways are clearly showing signs of stress, the City of Naples has again demonstrated its commitment to managing its stormwater in the most responsible way while boosting environmental restoration.  The expertise of Stantec, the ongoing participation of the local community, and the dedication of the Naples City Council has made this project one in which the entire state can be proud of,” said Gregg Strakaluse, Director for the City of Naples Streets and Stormwater Department.

Key factors contributing to the Naples Bay Restoration and Water Quality Improvements at the Cove earning Envision Silver include:

Restoring habitat and preserving species biodiversity

There are three key components associated with this project, each of which will dramatically improve existing conditions at the site which are currently not conducive to supporting a range of endemic species.

Component one consists of dredging and fortifying. Specifically, the project will remove 3,000 tons of marine sediments of which 500 are contaminated, more than 15 pounds of copper, and more than 3 pounds of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (a class of chemicals that occur naturally in coal, crude oil and gasoline). It also consists of a reinforced channel that reduces the velocity of water entering the cove, prevents erosion, and allows solids to settle.

Component two consists of a ‘living shoreline’, a shoreline management practice that provides erosion control benefits, enhances shoreline habitat and maintains natural coastal processes by placing materials such as plants, stone, sand fill, and other organic materials such as oyster reefs in the water along the shoreline.

Component three consists of an upstream pollution control structure that will remove more than 2,500 pounds of grit per year.

Innovative design

The project team selected a relatively new approach to restoring oyster habitat, improving water quality, and protecting the shoreline from threats and vulnerabilities by incorporating the living shoreline component in the project’s design. Traditional coastal shoreline treatments include components such as steel or concrete bulkheads which typically cost more to install and maintain than a design that incorporates a living shoreline. While steel or concrete bulkheads are able to reduce wave impacts as living shorelines can, they do not offer the same range of benefits. Living shorelines are also able to improve water quality through increased nutrient uptake, restore and create new estuarine habitat, create new connections between existing and new habitats, and yield economic benefits to the community. In the case of the Naples Bay Restoration and Water Quality Improvements at the Cove Project, annual economic benefits associated with the addition of oyster and mangrove habitats are estimated to be $41,700.

“The Naples Bay Restoration and Water Quality Improvements at the Cove Project is an elegant design using natural solutions to achieve the community’s goals of improving water quality, estuarine habitat, and overall community quality of life,” said ISI President and CEO, John Stanton. “Hopefully the success of this project will spur other coastal communities to implement living shorelines. ISI is pleased to present this project with an Envision Silver award for sustainable infrastructure.”

The name change and restructure reflects KAI’s broader commitment to its clients and the AEC industry and unifies the company’s operations under a new core focus and set of core values. CEO Michael Kennedy, Jr. officially launched the new structure in October 2018, with Darren L. James, AIA, transitioning to President of KAI Enterprises. James, a shareholder within the company since 2010, was formerly the President and COO of KAI Texas. Michael Hein, AIA, PMP, is Chief Operating Officer of KAI Enterprises.

“This is a new day for service delivery in the design and construction industry,” said James. “The continued evolution towards better and greater communication enhances the work environment for our staff and provides a more comprehensive experience for our clients. We believe in long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with our clients and our restructuring is our investment in continuous improvement, evolution and reinvention to better serve our clients, staff and community.”

In 2017, Michael Kennedy, Sr., founder and chairman of KAI Design & Build, retired and sold his company shares to his son, Michael B. Kennedy, Jr. The younger Kennedy decided at that time to restructure KAI and create new entities for each of the company’s business lines under the umbrella of a new holding company. KAI is now poised through its four distinct business units to serve its clients with national resources from its headquarters in St. Louis and offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Omaha and San Antonio.

“As a shareholder of the KAI family of companies, it is my intention to strategically place the parent company and each business unit in the most advantageous position for growth, stability and profitability, regardless of the external economic climate,” said James. “As the President of KAI Enterprises, it is my role to create opportunities that sustain our business unit’s individual goals, and nurture and grow our staff with exciting projects with a purpose to transform the communities we touch.”

The four new entities and respective leadership under the restructuring include:

KAI Design – Architectural and interior design services are now exclusively channeled through KAI Design. These services were previously offered through KAI Texas, but under the new structure, KAI Design will focus on providing design services at all KAI office locations throughout the U.S. KAI Design is led by President Matt Westphal, who also oversees KAI Engineering.

KAI Engineering – KAI Engineering is an industry leader in BIM technology, and its engineering professionals have decades of combined experience in project leadership, design execution and advanced engineering concepts on a wide variety of building types. Through the recent acquisition of Atlanta-based Dorsey Engineering, KAI expanded its reach, enabling greater opportunities in a prime engineering-focused role to owners, architects, federal and state government agencies, and design-build contractors nationwide. KAI Engineering is led by Matt Westphal, who holds a dual leadership position as President of KAI Design and KAI Engineering.

KAI Build – KAI Build provides design-build services, general contracting, construction management and a full suite of preconstruction services. The company, led by President Brian W. Arnold, recently elevated their presence in the construction market through the acquisition of reputable St. Louis-based Volk Construction Company, which brought more than 50 years of diverse expertise in the public and private sectors. Additionally, Marcus Moomey, AIA, DBIA, has been promoted to the new position of Director of Design-Build to lead this division of KAI Build.

KAI 360 CS – KAI’s Program and Construction Management group has been renamed KAI 360 Construction Services (KAI 360 CS) because of its ability to provide “full circle” expertise to plan, structure and deliver projects that meet clients’ budgets, schedules, quality and operational requirements, and to lead a project or program from concept to turnover. KAI 360 CS is led by President Bruce Wood.

“The new structure allows stronger flexibility to add investors, shareholders and M&A activity to align better with KAI’s strategic goals,” said KAI Enterprises CEO Kennedy, Jr.

• $2.5 billion over the next four years for Everglades restoration and protection of water resources (a $1 billion increase in spending over the previous four years and the highest level of funding for restoration in Florida’s history).
• Establishment of a Blue-Green Algae Task Force, charged with focusing on expediting progress toward reducing the adverse impacts of blue-green algae blooms now and over the next five years.
• Instruction to the South Florida Water Management District to immediately start the next phase of the Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir Project design and ensure the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approves the project according to schedule.
• Creation of the Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency charged with organizing and directing integrated scientific research and analysis to ensure that all agency actions are aligned with key environmental priorities.
• Appointment of a Chief Science Officer to coordinate and prioritize scientific data, research, monitoring and analysis needs to ensure alignment with current and emerging environmental concerns most pressing to Floridians, among other reforms.

“We are pleased to combine the knowledge, technical expertise and solid experience of these two successful companies,” said Chris Young, PE, CEO of Alan Plummer Associates Inc. “Like Alan Plummer Associates, FEI Engineers has considerable expertise in water and wastewater and also shares our values and our approach to serve clients and retaining and attracting strong talent.”

The acquisition fits Alan Plummer Associates’ strategy to remain privately owned and grow its geographic reach nationally. “We are already known as one of the most technically competent engineering firms in the water and environmental industry,” said Young.  “This expands our reach into the Rocky Mountain region and brings even more expertise to the table for our existing and future clients.”

Alan Plummer Associates specializes in planning, permitting, design, and construction-phase services for water, wastewater, reuse, stormwater and conveyance. FEI’s services also include water conservation, resource planning and wastewater treatment/conveyance. Both Alan Plummer Associates and FEI represent municipalities, water districts, wastewater utilities, government, and private companies.

“With aridification of the western U.S., water utilities and municipalities need creative thinking on water supply, infrastructure, conservation and reuse. We’re positioned to provide engineered solutions for water providers to maximize water efficiencies,” added Young.

The combined staff will bring Alan Plummer Associates to about 150 employees. The company’s 2018 revenues were $23 million. It currently has six offices in Texas and Oklahoma. With annual revenues of $2.2 million, FEI Engineers will retain its staff and offices in Denver and Durango, CO. Patrick O’Brien, PE, PMP, President and Principal at FEI Engineers, will become the Area Leader of Alan Plummer Associates’ Mountain West Area.

“With both firms specializing in water related work, joining the Alan Plummer Associates team presented a strong opportunity to grow our business in Colorado, New Mexico and the Rocky Mountain West, pursue larger projects and clients, and expand the expertise and services we can offer our existing clients,” said O’Brien.

Stewart collaborated amongst practice areas and with key partners to design and develop the new student center, which is replacing the former Mendenhall Student Center and nearly doubling its size. The new three-story building sits on East Tenth Street and Library Drive, boasting the Dowdy Student Store, a new centrally located bookstore, a 14,000 square foot ballroom, as well as a Black Box Theater and new retail spaces. Six dining options have been added for students, as well as multiple lounges, study rooms and a new gaming center.

“Our previous student center was built in 1974 and with our ECU community experiencing tremendous growth, we knew it needed to be revitalized,” said Dean Smith, director of student centers for student involvement and leadership at East Carolina University. “Our new student center matches ECU’s mission as a leadership university that is committed to student success, public service and regional transformation. We’re thankful for Stewart’s role in the process to help us deliver the programs, updates and services that our students deserve.”

Stewart’s structural engineering practice brought the vision of architectural firm Perkins+Will to life, and Stewart’s special inspections services were foundational to the project, conducted in coordination with general contractor Barnhill Contracting Company and T.A. Loving Construction Company.

“Our role in the design and development of ECU’s new student center reflects our commitment to our communities and our steadfast focus on growth and innovation,” said Craig Fisher, vice president and manager of structural engineering at Stewart. “We’re proud to have the opportunity to help make a positive impact on students’ experiences and demonstrate ECU’s commitment to student success.”

Stewart’s impact can be found across ECU’s campus, with other projects recently completed or currently underway. Stewart led the remodel of Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, where 50,000 ECU Pirate fans gather to watch football games each fall. This past summer, updates were made to the Ward Building, including renovations made to the Reid Locker Rooms and the installation of hydrotherapy pools for the athletes. Ahead of the 2019 season, Stewart is also helping to renovate and expand the south side of the stadium to enhance the fan experience and offer better amenities to press. Additionally, Stewart is playing an integral role in the design and development of Proximity at 10th, a luxury off-campus student apartment community that will open in the fall of 2019 just steps from campus.

FEBRUARY 23, 2018

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GEORGIA DOT SELECTS APPARENT PROPOSER FOR 1-16 AT 1-95 DESIGN-BUILD PROJECTS

JUNE 25, 2018

The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) announced Savannah Mobility Contractors Joint Venture as the apparent best-value proposer for the I-16 at I-95 Interchange and I-16 Widening from I-95 to I-516 projects. Georgia DOT used a best-value procurement method for the design-build project, which evaluates both price and technical proposals… READ MORE…

SOM DESIGNS 27-FOOT-LONG MORPHING PAVILION FOR LOS ANGELES EXHIBITION

AUGUST 24, 2018

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) partnered with the MAK Center for Art and Architecture on an exhibition that explores the intersection of art, engineering, and architecture. A SOM-designed, portable, 27-foot-long, kinematic outdoor pavilion made of hinged wood panels is one of the centerpieces of the exhibition… READ MORE…

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Civil + Structural Engineer magazine is now accepting video submissions for the 2019 Engineering Drone Video of the Year Contest… READ MORE…

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BEGLEY, CORN NAMED WINNERS OF GANNETT FLEMING’S INNOVATION CHALLENGE

DECEMBER 10, 2018

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“Jehle-Halstead is a strong, team-oriented, well-established firm that shares McKim & Creed’s commitment to superior quality, responsiveness and dependability,” said John T. Lucey, PE, president and chief executive officer of McKim & Creed. “Combining McKim & Creed’s strengths with those of Jehle-Halstead enables us to provide more specialized and advanced technologies — such as hydrographic surveying, unmanned aerial systems, and sustainable energy solutions — in the dynamic Florida Panhandle and Gulf Coast areas. We are excited to add our tenth Florida office and expand the McKim & Creed footprint into this region of Florida.”

JHI began its professional practice in 1987 and employs 17 people. The company works within the commercial, educational, government, medical, military and residential arenas, and has furnished services for such recent notable projects as:

Nine-Mile Road Utility Expansion/Upgrade/Relocation completed for the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority in Escambia County, Florida. The project was preceded by a sanitary sewer master plan to provide sanitary sewer within this high-growth area of the county. The master plan recommendations were part of the construction project that included design and surveying, permitting, construction administration and certification.

Beach Haven Redevelopment, completed jointly for Escambia County and Emerald Coast Utilities Authority. The project includes infrastructure upgrades and roadway reconstruction across an existing single-family residential area. New stormwater collection and treatment facilities include both wet and dry retention systems adjacent to wetlands. New sanitary sewer collection infrastructure was also included to allow all facilities to use a central sewer system in lieu of septic tanks. Services included surveying, design, permitting, construction administration and certification.

North and South Old Corry Field Roads sidewalk and drainage improvements for Escambia County. These projects added ADA-accessible pedestrian sidewalks and drainage infrastructure to support master drainage plan recommendations. The project also involved utility coordination and relocation to facilitate the planned improvements. Services included surveying, design, permitting, construction administration and certification.

East District stormwater project for the City of Gulf Breeze, Florida. This project featured master planning efforts to identify a feasible solution to alleviate historic flooding within a 31-acre drainage basin. In accordance with master plan recommendations, plans are being developed for a new stormwater collection and conveyance system, including associated roadway reconstruction and utility coordination and relocation.

Numerous planning, design, permitting and construction administration projects as the exclusive continuing civil engineering services provider for the Santa Rosa County School District. Projects range from classroom additions, to parking and pedestrian access improvements, to athletic tracks and courts, to entire school campuses.

Multiple design-build projects within the public sector, including projects at Naval Air Station Pensacola, NAS Pensacola Corry Station, Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, and Tyndall Air Force Base, among others.

Wide-ranging planning, design, permitting and construction administration efforts for numerous private developments in and around Northwest Florida, including general commercial, retail, and anchor tenant developments, multi-family and mixed-use projects, among others.

McKim & Creed established its first Florida offices in 1994, and now offers full-service engineering and geomatics services from offices in Clearwater, Daytona Beach, DeLand, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Orlando, Palm Coast, Sarasota, Tampa and now, Pensacola. The 500-person McKim & Creed also has offices throughout North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Texas and Pennsylvania.

Jehle-Halstead President Glenn P. Halstead, PE, and Vice President / Operations Manager D. Patrick Jehle, Jr., PE, will oversee the Pensacola office, which will go by the name McKim & Creed, Inc.

“By joining forces with McKim & Creed, we are significantly expanding the services we provide to our clients and can now offer a deep and wide pool of resources from which to draw,” said Halstead.

“We will continue to drive local business and be an integral part of the Pensacola community,” added Jehle. “As a part of McKim & Creed, our staff will remain in place and our client relationships will continue. The only difference is that now we can offer more opportunities, resources and services for our clients.”

The acquisition of Jehle-Halstead, Inc. by McKim & Creed, Inc. was closed January 2, 2019, and terms were not disclosed.

Raleigh, N.C. — VHB acquired Ecological Engineering, a 16-person, natural and water resources firm in Raleigh, N.C. Together with Ecological Engineering, VHB’s 100+ professionals in Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., are poised to deliver a broader array of services to meet market demands throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia — including transportation, energy, real estate, institutional, and municipal markets.

Established in 2008, Ecological Engineering specializes in hydraulic and hydrologic studies and design, ecological restoration and mitigation, environmental compliance, natural resources studies, and environmental permitting.

“This acquisition further solidifies our existing strong team in Raleigh and will allow us to build upon our transportation practice by adding technical capabilities in hydrology, hydraulics, and natural resources services,” said Raleigh Managing Director, Lyle Overcash. “We’re excited to welcome our new colleagues and look forward to a bright future together serving clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic.”

VHB has worked in North Carolina for nearly 30 years and established its Raleigh location in 2005. The office’s nationally-recognized transportation safety team primarily served the Federal Highway Administration, and in 2013, VHB expanded services in North Carolina with the acquisition of M/A/B (established in Raleigh in 2000). In 2016, VHB acquired BBM Associates in Raleigh, building upon the team’s strong transportation capabilities with the addition of land development services. The firm also has 150 additional professionals in six offices throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region in Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, Richmond, and Tysons, Virginia; Washington, DC; and Silver Spring, Maryland.

VHB President and CEO Mike Carragher stated, “The future holds tremendous opportunities for the region and VHB continues to evolve to help our clients address tomorrow’s challenges. Together with Ecological Engineering, we are in an even better position to deliver solutions to our clients facing increasingly complex transportation and land use challenges associated with the rapid growth in the region.”

Ecological Engineering’s Jenny Fleming, PE, Managing Partner, and Lane Sauls, Partner/Principal Scientist, will join VHB as Principals. Frank Fleming, PE, joins as an Associate.

“We are excited to be part of the VHB team where we can make an even greater impact shaping the future of the region. I’m looking forward to the opportunities that joining forces will provide for our employees as well as clients,” said Jenny Fleming, Principal. “We’ve enjoyed collaborating with VHB in the past and it’s great to make our partnership official!”

As part of the acquisition, Ecological Engineering will join VHB’s North Carolina team and operate legally as VHB Engineering, NC, P.C. The Ecological Engineering team will move into VHB’s office in Raleigh at: Venture I, 940 Main Campus Drive, Suite 500, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606.

“Our firm has a history working in Texas to design bridges of all types that improve the state’s infrastructure and bring its residents closer together,” said Mike Britt, President and CEO of Modjeski and Masters. “Texas leads the nation in population and economic growth, with no signs of slowing down. There are tremendous opportunities here to connect residents and communities with efficient, innovative, and cost-effective engineering solutions. Our new office positions our expert staff directly in these communities, so we can provide complete engineering services to better serve the region’s infrastructure needs.”

Modjeski and Masters hired John Holt, PE, to lead the Austin office, where he will be responsible for managing operations in Texas and the surrounding region. Holt previously served as a bridge engineer on a variety of projects including new and replacement bridge projects for highway, rail and pedestrian use, and as a project director or panel member for over 30 structural research projects. Holt worked for the TxDOT Bridge Division for 30 years before retiring as a Design Section Director.

“The depth and breadth of John’s work in Texas and with TxDOT uniquely positions our firm to have a direct and clear understanding of the state’s transportation needs and how to best solve them. We are excited to have John on our team and have great faith in his ability to lead our Texas office,” continued Britt.

“I feel remarkably privileged to be part of such a storied firm with a strong reputation for excellence and professionalism,” said Holt. “I’ve had the opportunity to work on a diverse number of projects with an equally diverse set of roles. My role in opening Modjeski and Masters’ new Texas office is a tremendous opportunity. I’m eager to build on the existing professional relationships I have and create new ones to expand the firm into a very dynamic and diverse region of the country.”

Lane was selected as the best value proposer for the design-build contract to widen the interstates of 40 and 77 from four lanes to eight for approximately 7.4 miles, and improve the system connection by designing and constructing a partial turbine interchange. Construction is slated to begin in the spring of 2019 and be completed by the end of 2022.

Lane recently won another design-build highway project valued at $346 million in North Carolina for improvements to I-440/US 1 in Wake County. The company also has work underway on Florida’s $253 million Wekiva Parkway (Section 8) in Seminole County, and the $673 million I-10 Corridor Contract 1 Express Lanes project in California, of which Lane’s share is valued at $404 million.

Lane works in other sectors including tunneling, mass transit and railway, and water/wastewater and has current project work on the Northeast Boundary Tunnel (NEBT) in Washington, D.C., which once completed will reduce sewer flooding for the city; the Purple Line light rail system in Maryland which will alleviate highway congestion in the busy metro area between Bethesda and New Carrollton; and the Little River Water Reclamation Facility in Georgia which is part of an overhaul of Cherokee County’s water and sewer system.

“We have worked diligently to bring new life and purpose to many of these historic buildings in the Stockyards,” said JQ Principal Carlo Taddei, PE. “The adaptive reuse of these structures helps to sustain the cultural and architectural legacy of the city’s past and creates new value and vitality for the community’s future.  We are thrilled to continue to be a part of this redevelopment.”  JQ has provided structural design services for the assessment and rehabilitation on 9 historic structures related to the redevelopment of the Fort Worth Stockyards.

The APHA project is located in Barn G at 122 E. Exchange Avenue in Fort Worth, Texas.  The 11,252 square-foot ground floor space will include offices, a theatre, a retail gallery and a museum-like environment that showcases the barn’s existing clerestories, exposed ceilings, original clay tiles and exposed brick walls. The total renovation is 12,372 square-feet which includes the second floor (mezzanine space).

VLK Architects is providing interior design services on the project and Majestic Realty Company is the owner/developer.  Occupancy is scheduled for October 2019.

Washington, D.C. — An investigative update issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Nov. 15 about its ongoing investigation of the fatal, FIU pedestrian bridge collapse in Miami, says errors were made in the design of the 174-foot span and cracking observed prior to the collapse is consistent with those errors.

Six people died and eight others were injured when the bridge collapsed March 15, 2018. Eight vehicles were crushed in the collapse, seven of the vehicles were occupied.

The update states errors made were in the design of the northernmost nodal region of the span where two truss members were connected to the bridge deck. The design errors resulted in an overestimation of the capacity (resistance) of a critical section through the node, and, an apparent underestimation of the demand (load) on that section.

The design review was conducted by the Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Bridges and Structures in support of the NTSB’s ongoing investigation.  The Federal Highway Administration is a party to the NTSB’s investigation.

The Turner-Fairbanks Highway Research Center, part of the Federal Highway Administration, conducted numerous tests and examinations of concrete and steel samples taken from the bridge following its collapse. The concrete and steel specimens tested by Turner-Fairbanks Highway Research Center personnel met the project’s build plans specified minimum requirements.  Findings from the materials tests include:

• Concrete core specimens from the bridge deck and bridge canopy met the compression requirements in the project plans.
• The design plans specified concrete used for the project had to be in accordance with Florida Department of Transportation specifications. All specimens from the bridge deck and bridge canopy were within the specified range for total air content.
• Tension test results of size #5, #8 and #11 steel reinforcing bars revealed all met minimum yield and tensile strengths and percent elongation at fracture, for their respective sizes. Size #7 bars could not be tested due to collapse-induced deformation.

The NTSB’s investigation of the bridge collapse is ongoing and the information contained in the investigative update is preliminary and will be supplemented or corrected as the investigation progresses.  As such, no conclusions about probable cause should be drawn from the information contained in the investigative update.

The investigative update is available online at https://go.usa.gov/xPGnG.

The Engineering Excellence Awards Competition has been held by ACEC Texas since 1975 to honor and recognize outstanding achievements within the engineering community. A panel of judges around the state select projects based on innovation, future value to the engineering profession, social and economic considerations, complexity and exceeding the client’s needs. This is the fourth gold medal award won by LAN in the last five years.

Spanning half-a-mile, the four-lane, divided, north-south connector extends University Boulevard north from the US 90A intersection along the west edge of the business campus of Nalco Champion, a supplier to the oil and gas industry. The route then bridges over Oyster Creek and a Union Pacific Railroad spur before finally merging with Stadium Drive, which runs along the city’s newly built minor league baseball stadium, Constellation Field. The scope of the project included reconstruction of a portion of US 90A, track work with UPRR, a new at-grade rail crossing with traffic signal preemption at US 90A, a grade-separated overpass over a UPRR spur and Oyster Creek, a side path and sidewalk, retaining walls, and a bridge-supported water line. LAN served as the project’s design engineer. Harper Brothers constructed the road and bridge portions of the project while Webber constructed the rail portion.

“The extension will further boost mobility in Sugar Land,” said Dev Rastogi, P.E., LAN’s vice president. “Even though the extension has been open for only five months, it has spurred business and development opportunities, and further enhanced Sugar Land’s reputation as a great city to work, live and raise a family.”

The extension, which opened on June 14, 2018, provides a critical connection to US 90A, diverting traffic from neighborhood surface streets and alleviating congestion on State Highway 6. Ultimately, by 2025, the extension will help increase capacity in University Boulevard by 12,000 cars a day, according to the city’s estimates.

The project also spurred Nalco Champion to consolidate its Houston-area offices and centralize its headquarters in Sugar Land. In March 2016, Nalco completed the construction of its new 133,500-square-foot headquarters with 1,000 parking spaces. The company reconfigured its existing buildings to maximize office space, accommodate supply chain needs, and create additional space for the expansion of the company’s research and development facilities. This move brought in more than $45 million in investments, the retention of 342 jobs, the recapturing of 247 jobs previously based in Sugar Land, and the addition of 862 new jobs.

In addition to enhancing north-south mobility, the extension provides easy access to some of the city’s biggest attractions, including Constellation Field, the home of the minor league baseball team the Sugar Land Skeeters, the Smart Financial Centre concert arena, and the Imperial Market.

Finally, the extension has provided new opportunities for developers. In 2017, Johnson Development Corp. opened a four-story, 200-unit apartment complex for residents 55 years and older. Other projects that are currently underway or on the horizon include significant commercial development within the Imperial Redevelopment District.

In April 2017, the city developed and implemented a Capacity, Management, Operation and Maintenance (CMOM) program to perform a comprehensive review and upgrade its wastewater collection system as well as enhance its existing operation and maintenance practices.

To this end, the city is implementing improvements to sanitary sewer basins 8 and 15, which were identified as the highest priority basins. A team led by LAN will select prioritize, package, design, and support construction for all improvements to these two basins, which includes 379 pipeline segments (more than 46,000 linear feet of pipeline) and almost 900 manholes. Garver, an Arkansas-based engineering firm, will provide design support to LAN while Adams Engineering, a local Tyler firm, will be providing consulting, construction management and inspection services.

“The city is executing a number of measures to manage, operate and maintain its wastewater collection system systematically and efficiently, and better respond to emergencies such as sanitary sewer overflows,” said Justin Reeves, P.E., LAN’s senior associate and team leader. “The improvements to these two sanitary sewer basins is a big step in that direction.”

The design phase will be completed in 2019. Construction on the $10 million project will be completed in December 2020.

Scott Taylor, City of Tyler’s managing director utilities and public works, said the CMOM improvements are a critical piece of the #Time to Build campaign unveiled by the Tyler City Council in 2016. To rebuild Tyler’s aging water and sewer systems, city officials pledged $100 million dollars on 100 projects over the next 10 years. Last year alone, the city spent $20 million dollars, 13 percent of the city’s total budget, on maintenance, repair and improvements. The City projects that 65 to 75 percent of these projects will be paid for in cash from the Tyler Water Utilities Fund.

“The state of our infrastructure is one of the most pressing issues we face as a community,” said Taylor. “Our jobs, quality of life, economic competitiveness and public safety are all dependent upon it. Much of Tyler’s infrastructure (streets, water systems, drainage systems and sewer systems) has reached the end of its useful life. Two years ago, the Tyler City Council made a pledge to modernize and build anew our community’s infrastructure. The benefits of this stronger, better infrastructure system will be far-reaching and long-lasting.”

“Since 1994, Kimley-Horn has had an office in the City of Frisco, providing a wide variety of planning and design consulting services within the City and across Collin, Denton, and Grayson Counties,” said Aaron Nathan, Texas Regional Leader, Kimley-Horn. “As recently shown in Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live in America,” the growth in this area and the leadership from the City of Frisco has created a great place to live, and we have been delighted to help our clients, both public and private. We want to thank our clients for allowing us to serve them. We are particularly proud of our part in helping VanTrust, Hillwood, the Rudman Partnership, the Frisco EDC and the City of Frisco create a space to be a home to over 150 Kimley-Horn employees. Given our role in both Frisco Station and The Star in Frisco, it’s a bonus that we will be part of the fabric of the environment we helped to create.”

Employees of Kimley-Horn will have access to several high-end building amenities, including structured parking, a fitness center and a conference center. The Offices One at Frisco Station, which has been designed with future-proofing in mind, will have robust communications and power infrastructure that includes dual-power feeds and multiple fiber optic option providers. Employees also will benefit from the AT&T 5G Evolution wireless technology that is being integrated across Frisco Station’s parks, residential options, hospitality units and corporate spaces. Frisco Station is one of the first developments in the nation being built from the ground up with wireless stealth micro cells, ultra-fast internet powered by AT&T Fiber and robust WiFi throughout all common areas.

“We are excited to welcome one of our partners who has worked diligently alongside us to help make Frisco Station a top destination for corporate expansions and relocations. With the addition of Kimley-Horn and several other recently announced tenants, The Offices One at Frisco Station is almost fully leased,” said Geoff Meyer, executive vice president of development for VanTrust Real Estate, developer of The Offices at Frisco Station.

The Offices One at Frisco Station is adjacent to the Dallas Cowboys’ world headquarters and is within walking distance to more than 50 retail, restaurant and entertainment options between The Hub at Frisco Station, the development’s planned entertainment district, and The Star. Station House, the first multi-family component to launch at the development, is now accepting leases for its luxury, urban-living units. Upon completion, Frisco Station will have more than 2,400 residential options available for individuals who want to be near Frisco Station’s employment opportunities and regional employers, along with dining, entertainment and wellness amenities and 32 acres of trails and park spaces.

Savills Studley represented Kimley-Horn in the transaction. Kimley-Horn’s new office space at The Offices One at Frisco Station sits directly next to the recently announced The Offices Two at Frisco Station, where Kimley-Horn is serving as the civil engineer of record.

Frisco Station is being developed by the Frisco Station Partnership, which is composed of The Rudman Partnership, Hillwood Properties and VanTrust Real Estate. Built on the principle that individuals want to be inspired and energized by the people and environment around them, Frisco Station’s designers are focused on creating a healthier, smarter and more creative experience for people who want to engage, innovate, learn and collaborate in their professional and personal lives.

Peoples consists of Peoples Natural Gas Company LLC, Peoples Gas Company LLC and Delta Natural Gas Company Inc. The multi-platform entity brings together the second-largest U.S. water utility and fifth-largest U.S. stand-alone natural gas local distribution company (based on customers), and will serve 1.74 million customer connections, which represent approximately 5 million people. In 2019, the new company will have approximately $10.8 billion in assets and a projected U.S. regulated rate base of over $7.2 billion. The transaction is not expected to have any impact on rates.

The combined enterprise will be among the largest publicly traded water utilities and natural gas local distribution companies in the U.S., uniquely positioned to meaningfully contribute to the nation’s natural gas and water infrastructure reliability. The transaction will bring together two companies that each have more than 130 years of service and proven track records of operational efficiency, complementary service territories and strong regulatory compliance.

Aqua will acquire Peoples from infrastructure funds managed by Sausalito, California-based SteelRiver Infrastructure Partners. The resulting company will be well positioned to grow and generate shareholder value through increased scale, a balanced portfolio and stable capital structure.

“The acquisition of Peoples is a great strategic fit and aligns directly with our growth strategy and core competencies of building and rehabilitating infrastructure, timely regulatory recovery, and operational excellence,” said Aqua Chairman and CEO Christopher Franklin. “Both Aqua and Peoples place customers at the center of all we do. We care deeply for employees and their safety, have expertise in pipe replacement, and prioritize stewardship of the environment. Both companies have worked hard to earn credibility with regulators and respect of other stakeholders, and to employ advanced operational efficiencies, all of which create long-term value for customers, communities, employees and shareholders.”

The combined company will operate regulated utilities over a 10-state footprint and will have its largest concentration in Pennsylvania, which will account for more than 77 percent of the company’s total rate base. Aqua’s rate base is growing annually at approximately 7 percent (2019-2021) and Peoples’ rate base is growing annually at 8 to 10 percent (2019-2021), creating a strong combined growth trajectory.

“By bringing together water and natural gas distribution utility companies that share a core mission of providing essential services to customers, the resulting company will be positioned to grow and drive value, as well as make a long-term, positive contribution to our nation’s infrastructure challenges and ensure service reliability for generations to come,” Franklin said. “The new leadership team will take an integrated management approach to cooperatively running the utilities. We plan to leverage the combined breadth of experience from both companies to lead our new combined company.”

Morgan O’Brien, who will continue to lead the natural gas company, said, “The planned combination with Aqua creates a larger strategic utility committed to growing our region’s economic future using the most responsible and innovative tools in our long-term infrastructure replacement programs in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky. Our resulting company is deeply rooted in the long-established regulatory environments where partnership opportunities will support growth and safety. We are focused on strongly encouraging infrastructure replacement and expansion to better serve customers and fuel growth opportunities. In addition, this larger entity will provide employees with enhanced opportunities for career development.

“For example, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has demonstrated its support for our infrastructure investment program, through which we will replace more than 3,100 miles of bare steel and cast-iron pipe in the coming years at a current rate of about 150 miles per year,” said O’Brien.

Post-transaction close, the combined businesses will be led by Franklin. The company’s corporate headquarters will be in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and Aqua’s water and wastewater operations will remain headquartered in Bryn Mawr. Peoples, the natural gas operating subsidiary, and its employees will remain headquartered in Pittsburgh and other operating locations will remain unchanged.

Renfe is one of the world’s most significant railways operators, running 5,000 trains daily on 7,500 miles of track. The company is integral to the transport system in Spain, its home base, handling more than 487 million passengers and 19.6 million tons of freight moved in 2017. Selection of its operating partner marks another major step forward for the Houston-to-North Texas high-speed railroad.

“After an intense review of the world’s best railroad operators, we were proud to select Renfe as the operator for the Texas Central Railroad. Renfe has established a reputation for excellence in railroad operation in Spain and across the world, and we welcome them aboard,” said Texas

Central CEO Carlos Aguilar. “With their decades of expertise, they were a natural fit to join our other partners. Having the operator, the design build and technology teams all on board and able to collaborate will ensure all aspects of the railroad are integrated and efficient. The combination of these best-in-class global experts sets the foundation for the new jobs-creating industry we are bringing to Texas.”

Renfe, in partnership with Adif, which manages Spanish railway infrastructure, was chosen after a highly competitive review of global railroad operating companies. It will provide technical advice on the design and construction of the Texas train and assist in the further development

of Texas Central’s operation and maintenance plans, preparing the railroad for passenger service. The operator will run the trains; maintain system components, such as the engines, signals and other equipment; oversee ticketing, passenger loyalty programs and other services.

“Today’s announcement is extraordinary news for Texans and for the Spanish railway industry,” said Isaías Táboas, president of Renfe. “Texas Central represents a large high-speed train project in a country with high-growth potential, for which the Spanish experience will be of great help.

Both Renfe Operadora and Adif have accumulated years and miles of high-speed railway development with professional teams, extensive experience and specialized knowledge. We are committed to the success of Texas Central in improving the mobility of Texans and others in the U.S.”

The agreement is the latest example of the project bringing on board the industry’s best subject matter experts from across the globe. It comes about a week after Texas Central said it had engaged the multinational firm Salini Impregilo – operating in the U.S. market with The Lane Construction Corporation – to lead the civil construction consortium that will build the passenger line. It will be responsible for all work up to the top of the rail, including viaducts, embankments and drainage.

Renfe is one of the biggest companies in Spain, employing nearly 14,000 people and recording revenues of 3.6 billion euros in 2017. Its high-speed systems were used by more than 36 million passengers in 2017. In March, Renfe announced that it had posted a net profit of 70 million euros in 2017, thanks in part to a jump in the number of its high-speed passengers, chalking up five consecutive years of growth.

Spain´s first high-speed line between Madrid and Seville was dedicated in 1986 and Renfe’s first high-speed service connected the cities in 1992. More than 360 million passengers have since then used that fast, secure, comfortable and sustainable mode of transportation. Its second high-speed line, from Madrid to Barcelona, was completed in 2007. More than 85 million passengers have used the line in its first decade. Renfe also operates high-speed service from Barcelona to Paris, Lyon and Toulouse in France. Among other major international projects, Renfe operates the recently opened high-speed train between Mecca and Medina, in Saudi Arabia.

“This is another in the growing list of world-class firms not just recognizing America’s first true high-speed train project but also wanting to be involved as central players in a great story, making it happen. This is a vote of confidence in one of our most iconic infrastructure projects,” said Norman Anderson, chairman and CEO of CG/LA, a Washington-based strategic group that focuses on infrastructure investment.

The 200-mph train will provide a safe, reliable and productive travel option linking the nation’s 4th and 5th largest economic regions in 90 minutes, with a midway stop in the Brazos Valley. The investor-led Texas project will be built and operated without taxpayer-funded state or federal grants. It will generate an estimated $36 billion in economic benefits statewide over the next 25 years, including creating 10,000 direct jobs per year during construction and 1,500 permanent jobs when fully operational.

The Texas train will be based on the latest generation of Central Japan Railway’s Tokaido Shinkansen train system, the world’s safest mass transportation system. It has operated for more than 54 years with a perfect record of zero passenger fatalities or injuries from operations, and an impeccable on-time performance record.

Texas Central and its partners are refining and updating construction planning and sequencing, guided by the Federal Railroad Administration’s recently released draft environmental impact statement. The FRA now is working on a final environmental review that will help determine the project’s timeline and final route.

Corpus Christi is one of the largest ports in the U.S., docking tens of millions of tons annually. The bridge’s 138 feet of navigational clearance, which met World War II standards decades ago, needed to be enlarged to accommodate modern ships. A new bridge would enable TxDOT to improve both safety and transportation, meeting traffic demands and broadening economic development opportunities for the Port of Corpus Christi.

The design-build project includes replacement of the existing Harbor Bridge and reconstruction of portions of US 181, I-37, and the Crosstown Expressway — a total of 6.44 miles of bridge and connecting roadway. The bridge will include six-lane sections of US 181; three lanes in each direction with a median barrier, shoulders, and a bicycle and pedestrian shared-use path. Additionally, the project includes the reconstruction of approximately 1.6 miles of I-37, reconstruction of approximately 1 mile of the Crosstown Expressway, and demolition of the existing Harbor Bridge. This approximately $1 billion bridge project also has 8 miles of new and rehabilitated pavement for the main lanes, frontage roads and city streets.

The Texas Department of Transportation determined that US 181 and the Harbor Bridge needed to be improved in order to maintain a safe and efficient transportation corridor.

As is common on design-build projects, the developer is most interested in reducing upfront costs while simultaneously meeting TxDOT requirements.

“Transtec’s knowledge of local pavement practices and TxDOT requirements combined with their understanding of the developer’s desires led to expedited yet quality decision-making which benefited the overall project,” said Dexter Bacon, Chief Engineer with Intertek-PSI, the Geotechnical Engineer for the project. “We were very pleased that Transtec was always available for meetings to discuss the pros and cons of various pavement approaches.”

It was important for Transtec to produce effective design plans in a timely manner that suited the needs of both the developer and TxDOT. After presenting multiple options for the pavement design with various risk and reward factors, asphalt was the final recommendation and the proposal was approved. Transtec optimized meeting time by coming to the table prepared with the right answer and a proper model for design. Eliminating the need to research, back-check, and schedule excessive follow-up meetings expedited the process and proved to be cost-effective.

Transtec’s previous local experience and knowledge with pavement design resulted in cost-effective designs, incorporating previous experience from past design-build projects like the nearby US 77 Kingsville to Driscoll project in Texas.

“We could not be more pleased with their performance on this project and look forward to working with The Transtec Group in the future,” said Bacon.

“The clean energy sector has the power to create new business opportunities, expand customer access to renewable energy, and spark the high-demand jobs of the 21st century,” said Governor Northam. “Virginia can shift to a more modern electric grid that is reliable, affordable, resilient, and environmentally responsible — and the Commonwealth can lead this critical industry as a result. This plan sets an ambitious path forward for Virginia, and I am confident we will charge ahead towards progress over the course of my administration.”

The plan builds upon implementation of the Grid Transformation and Security Act (Senate Bill 966), which Governor Northam signed into law earlier this year. Among other recommendations, the plan calls for a comprehensive grid modernization planning process to facilitate the implementation of Senate Bill 966. The plan also calls for 3,000 megawatts (MW) of solar and onshore wind to be deployed by 2022, 2,000 MW of offshore wind to be deployed by 2028, and for Virginia’s utilities to collectively invest $115 million per year in energy efficiency programs.

“Virginia has significant potential to create new jobs as the energy sector grows and evolves,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “This Energy Plan will help guide the Commonwealth to expand and diversify our energy resources while building upon the economic development potential of the industry.”

The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) is charged with developing and submitting the Virginia Energy Plan to the Governor’s Office, the State Corporation Commission, and the General Assembly under § 67-201 of the Code of Virginia.

“DMME made a diligent effort to ensure every stakeholder and citizen had a say in Virginia’s energy future,” said DMME Director John Warren. “We heard from hundreds of individuals on policy recommendations to increase access to solar and wind, energy efficiency, energy storage, and electric vehicles.”

Additional recommendations include expanding Virginia’s existing solar and wind programs, developing new solar purchase options for corporate customers and small businesses, increasing energy efficiency financing opportunities, establishing electric vehicle targets, and working with stakeholders to evaluate energy storage options. The plan also recommends setting lead-by-example targets for Virginia’s state agencies, including a 16 percent renewable procurement target and a 20 percent energy efficiency target.

The full plan can be found at https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/secretary-of-commerce-and-trade/2018-Virginia-Energy-Plan.pdf.

The contract supports Lane’s recently renewed strategy in the U.S., which is focused on building large-scale, complex infrastructure. Lane has a long history in the state of Florida with other large infrastructure works including the I-4 Ultimate Improvement Project in Orlando; Osceola County Line to the Beachline Expressway/SR 528; and the Suncoast Parkway 2 leading north of Tampa.

The Section 8 contract will design 2.63 miles of limited access toll road from Orange Boulevard to east of Rinehart Road. The project will include the new Wekiva Parkway interchange at I-4 that will connect with SR 417, completing the beltway around Central Florida. Construction is expected to begin in early 2019 and be completed in 2022.

The contract is part of the overall 25-mile tolled Wekiva Parkway design that will provide travel alternatives and relieve other area roads of traffic congestion resulting from growth and travel between Orange, Lake, and Seminole counties. The project has been recognized for its environmentally friendly features that will help foster the sensitive wildlife it will encroach upon: 3,400 acres of conservation land, numerous wildlife bridges, and largely elevated roadways to reduce accidents between vehicles and wildlife.

Other notable large infrastructure projects Lane is working on include The Purple Line Transit System in Maryland; the Northeast Boundary Tunnel in Washington, D.C.; and the Gerald Desmond Bridge in California.

“In Atlanta in the 21st century, transit is the lifeblood of opportunity,” said Board chairman Robert L. Ashe. “It is how millions of Atlantans access jobs, school, health care, and move throughout their communities. Today, we together took an important step in building the Atlanta we want for decades to come.”

The More MARTA Atlanta program will be partially funded by approximately $2.7 billion generated by a half-penny sales tax approved by city voters in 2016. Additional public and private funding will be sought to advance and expand key aspects of the program.

“Think of this as a major and transformational down payment on our future commitment to the city and to the region,” said MARTA General Manager & CEO Jeffrey Parker. “This is an important milestone, but it’s not the finish line.”

A two-year examination of technical data, performance measurements, and community surveys, led to a 17-project program that calls for 22 miles of light-rail transit (LRT), 14 miles of bus rapid transit (BRT), 26 miles of arterial rapid transit (ART), two new transit centers, additional fixed-route bus service, and upgrades to existing rail stations. Residents were most supportive of transit investments along the BeltLine, in the Clifton Corridor, and on Campbellton Road.

“As Atlanta’s population grows, so must our investment in equitable and accessible transportation options,” said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.” With development plans spanning from Greenbriar in Southwest Atlanta to Emory University, today’s MARTA vote helps move us closer towards becoming One Atlanta.”

Next steps include developing costs and schedules associated with individual projects and beginning the process of securing additional funding. MARTA will also work to educate riders on various programs in the months ahead. More easily implemented projects, such as expanded bus service, have already begun.

For more details on the More MARTA program, including a map and breakdown of projects, visit https://www.itsmarta.com/moremarta.aspx.

Selection of the Italian firm, one of the largest civil engineering contractors in the world, reflects the participation of leading industry global organizations that are designing and building the high-speed train.

“Salini Impregilo’s knowledge and experience in designing, building and leading large-scale railway projects across the world is impressive, and its presence in the U.S. market with Lane is also strategic for the project,” said Texas Central CEO Carlos F. Aguilar. “Their inclusion in the consortium highlights the stature of the Texas project and the interest of global infrastructure companies to be part of America’s first high-speed train.”

Salini Impregilo is active in more than 50 countries on five continents, with experience building more than 4,000 miles of railway infrastructure around the world – in Australia, Europe, Asia and the Americas. It built many high-speed train projects in Europe, and some iconic, complex projects in the world in the wider transport sector, including the expansion of the Panama Canal.

The company has worked in the U.S. since the 1980s and expanded its presence in 2016, merging with The Lane Construction Corporation, a U.S.-based company with almost 130 years of experience in infrastructure work.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for us,” said Pietro Salini, CEO of the Salini Impregilo Group. “We are delighted to be invited to take part to bring high-speed train service to Texas, as we have in Italy and other countries. It is precisely the kind of large, complex infrastructure project in which we have decades of experience. The United States is now our biggest single market, with a consolidated presence in highways, bridges and tunnels, and are pursuing the high-speed rail sector.”

The announcement is the latest milestone for the investor-led project – a 200 mph train connecting the state’s largest population and economic regions in 90 minutes, with a midway stop in the Brazos Valley. The project will create a super-economy, connecting the 4th and 5th largest U.S. markets in fast-growing communities looking for safe, reliable and productive travel options.

As the lead of the civil construction consortium, Salini Impregilo will be responsible for all work up to the top of the rail, including viaducts, embankments and drainage.

Under the Limited Notice to Proceed (LNTP) agreement, the project’s design-build participants will proceed with the front-end engineering and design of the train’s civil infrastructure. Other services include optimizing execution approaches, strategies and logistics, as well as performing analysis to develop construction costs and schedule estimates.

That work helps to develop a design build contract that will be used to complete the civil infrastructure program. This is a precursor to financial close, after which construction of the civil infrastructure segments of the project will begin.

The agreement is the latest example of the project bringing the best subject matter experts to the team, creating a new industry in the United States. The train will inject an estimated $36 billion in economic benefits statewide over the next 25 years, including creating 10,000 jobs per year during construction and 1,500 permanent jobs when fully operational.

The Texas train will be based on Central Japan Railway’s Tokaido Shinkansen train system, the world’s safest mass transportation system. It has operated for more than 54 years with a perfect record of zero passenger fatalities or injuries from operations, and an impeccable on-time performance record.

The Texas project will be built and operated without taxpayer-funded state or federal grants. Texas Central and its partners are refining and updating construction planning and sequencing, guided by the Federal Railroad Administration’s recently released Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the project.

That federal review cited many factors in support of the project, saying the train “is needed to accommodate growing demand” in Texas and to provide a more environmentally favorable travel alternative.

The FRA now is working on a final environmental review that will help determine the project’s timeline and final route.

Hayden was founded by Rachel Hayden in 2000. The firm has grown significantly over the past 18 years to provide services to leading clients in both the public and private sectors. Hayden has distinguished itself as a market leader in providing outstanding technical solutions and quality client service.

In her decision to join GEI Hayden stated, “I am excited about the opportunity to join GEI – both for our clients and our employees. The new combined operations offers significant capacity to serve our existing clients, while adding the resources needed to develop new clients and services in Texas and throughout the Southwest.”

On Hayden joining GEI, President Ron Palmieri states, “We are so pleased to have Hayden join GEI. Their commitment to technical excellence, client service, and employee development and engagement are exceptional and consistent with GEI’s culture. We are excited to have Rachel and her team drive our Texas growth strategy going forward.”

The transaction closed on September 28, 2018. Bulkley Capital, LP served as a financial advisor for Hayden Consultants.

Rising demand for aviation services in South Florida initiated MDAD’s five-year capital improvement program and includes all five of its airports. Miami International Airport, which is No. 1 in the country for international freight and No. 2 for international passengers, represents the largest of the five airports. HDR will also design improvements for four general aviation airports. They include Miami Opa Locka Executive, which is home to the largest U.S. Coast Guard air/sea rescue station, and Miami Executive Airport, which is among the fastest growing executive airports in the country.

Across all projects, HDR’s civil design team will apply resilience considerations, taking into account the impacts of sea level rise and rising ground water tables, which will alter placement of utilities and drive innovative stormwater systems.

“We’re excited to partner with MDAD to deliver these system-wide capital improvements,” said HDR East Region Aviation Manager Tim Fish. “These projects will help accommodate the fleet changes airports are seeing right now, especially from international operators, and lay the groundwork for planned terminal expansions and modernizations.”

“Our combination of a strong local team and national aviation expertise will foster innovative outcomes that help MDAD stay competitive in the global market and strengthen the communities served by these airports,” HDR Aviation Director Bill Peduzzi said. “We’re extremely thankful for this long-term partnership and excited about the great things it will make possible.”

“This transformational gift represents a major commitment to support our continuing studies on concrete pavements,” said Cameron Murray, assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering. “With this gift, the U of A will become a national leader in the field of concrete pavement research.”

The Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter, American Concrete Pavement Association Fund will provide financial support for concrete pavement initiatives, research and related activities in the Department of Civil Engineering.

“Most people do not think there is much science to a concrete pavement, but in reality, this area of civil engineering is becoming more advanced and more complex,” Murray said. “With this gift, we can help the state of Arkansas stay at the forefront of high quality, long-lasting concrete pavement construction.

“Over the past 20 years, there has been high-quality concrete materials research performed at the University of Arkansas,” he added. “Thanks to this work, the U of A has developed a reputation in the regional concrete industry as a leader in this area. These efforts have led to this tremendous gift from the ACPA to support concrete initiatives.

“When designed correctly, Portland cement concrete pavements are long-lasting, durable and strong. This gift will allow researchers in our laboratory to improve the cost-effectiveness and quality of concrete pavements in this state and around the country. I am personally very excited to plan the future work this generous gift will enable.”

The Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter of the ACPA is a non-profit organization representing the concrete paving industry in Oklahoma and Arkansas. The chapter is recognized by highway officials, engineers, contractors and paving experts as the state voice for the concrete paving industry. The organization’s membership includes contractors, materials suppliers, equipment manufacturers and other firms providing essential services to the concrete paving industry.

“The Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter of ACPA is proud to be able to support the University of Arkansas Department of Civil Engineering through this $500,000 gift,” said Alan Meadors, Arkansas promotional director of ACPA. “These funds will be used to support students interested in concrete pavement materials and construction and advance concrete initiatives in Arkansas.”

Although the coastline suffered significant erosion, restored beaches accomplished their design purpose of protecting upland properties and communities. While communities are pleased to have been spared from more serious damage, many must now rebuild their battered beaches to ensure their communities are protected from the next coastal catastrophe.

Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, NC, at 7:15 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018. Despite having been downgraded the previous day to a Category 1 storm, Florence produced a maximum surge of 10 feet or more along sections of the North Carolina coast. Since the storm had spent numerous days building up mass and momentum, the attendant storm surge was far greater than the reduced wind speed would indicate.

Additionally for several days prior to landfall, Florence’s forward motion had been slowed considerably by a high pressure ridge over eastern North Carolina. As a result, many beach areas experienced elevated water levels and heavy wave activity over several tidal cycles. This behavior, which is more characteristic of a nor’easter, can cause significantly more coastal erosion than would result from a faster-moving hurricane of similar size and power due to the extended time of surge and wave activity.

Initial assessments are still being compiled, but the first wave of data and aerial photographic comparisons indicate wide restored beaches combined with a health dune system stood up to the prolonged pounding of Florence’s waves and surge. This protection not only spared upland properties from catastrophic damages, but enabled coastal communities to recover more quickly and re-open for returning residents sooner.

This outcome is something that scientists, engineers, and policymakers have been championing since Superstorm Sandy in 2012 showed firsthand the value of wide beaches and healthy dune systems in reducing storm surge and wave damage.

On-the-ground observations

“Florence becomes the storm of record (twice) for high water level at the Beaufort tide gage – an unprecedented ‘one-two’ punch to Carteret County,” according to Greg Rudolph, Shoreline Protection Manager for Carteret County, NC. “The infusion of sand via beach nourishment and subsequent development of incipient, or ‘baby’ dunes since Hurricane Floyd in 1999 protected some 23 miles of homes, hotels, public accesses and infrastructure for the storm of record. There was no flood damage to oceanfront structures, nor any breaches of the frontal dune. Structural damage was limited to walkways only.”

“Our preliminary assessment is that our federal coastal storm damage reduction projects at Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach did what they were supposed to do,” said Layton Bledsoe, New Hanover County’s (NC) Shoreline Protection manager. “It appears that very minimal damage was caused by ocean overwash to our small businesses, infrastructure and homes, and this is directly attributed to wide beaches and high dunes constructed and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects.”

“While Hurricane Florence did damage to our coastal communities, it could have been so much worse,” said Woody White, chair of the New Hanover County Commission. “Thanks to the consistent funding and focus on storm damage reduction efforts, both people and property were saved. This forward-thinking approach preserves lives and it preserves our tax base, which allows us to meet our other core governmental functions. In each storm, we learn more and more about what to do to make those protections even better in the future, and I know that had we not implemented storm reduction policies in years past, our damages today would be catastrophic.”

“The projects we have built in Dare County did what they were supposed to do,” according to Bobby Outten, County Manager of Dare County, NC. “They reduced the amount of flooding and damage that would have occurred had these projects not been in existence. Though not impacted by the worst of Florence, the 3-4 days of high surf and large waves would have resulted in extensive flooding and damages to public and private development had these locally funded projects not been built and maintained.”

“Based on what we’ve seen, the projects constructed by Dare County and the Towns of Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills performed as designed,” noted Ken Willson, a program manager for APTIM, the firm responsible for much of the restoration project design along the North Carolina coast. “In years past, the conditions created by Florence would have likely resulted in considerable flooding in Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills, washed out of the road around Kitty Hawk Road and Highway 12 in Kitty Hawk, and caused extensive beach access damage along the towns. We are happy to report that almost none of that occurred during Florence, which is a testament to the damage reduction provided by these projects,” Willson continued. “Furthermore, detailed analysis of how the projects performed in these conditions allow our engineers to improve future design of projects.”

In the wake of Florence, there will be a push by impacted communities for help in restoring their shorelines to their full protective profile in advance of the winter nor’easters and prior to the start of next year’s Atlantic hurricane season on June 1. State and federal officials will need to respond rapidly to this call for restoration, since mobilization of any such projects takes significant time and coordination, and the window for opportunity for restorative construction along this stretch of Atlantic coastline is often limited.

While the success of the Carolinas’ coastline in standing up to Florence is the story today, looking ahead at similar storm scenarios in years to come underscores the need for a post-storm recovery and restoration plan that allows coastal communities to rely on state and federal partners to step up swiftly following a storm’s landfall. Florence and similar catastrophic rain events in recent years also points out the need to build resilience throughout the watershed, to recognize that storms such as these are becoming more than coastal catastrophes bringing damaging impacts far inland and for far more days in duration.

The goal needs to be developing a response system starting at the federal level that enhances resilience and reduces risk, to aid local communities in reducing damages and accelerating recovery in a systemic and reliable response.

Source: American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (www.asbpa.org)

The rehabilitation of the 91-year-old pier will increase import and export capacity, supporting economic development initiatives in the city. ASPA supports 134,608 direct and indirect jobs in Alabama, with an impact of $22.4 billion in economic value.

The project entails upgrading and updating a segment of the pile-supported reinforced concrete pier, which was built in 1927. The segment measures 70 by 1,500 feet. Options for the project include potentially increasing the structural capacity of the pier from 1,000 to 1,500 pounds per square foot.

“We are proud to be taking on this new project for the benefit of the people of Mobile,” said Nick DeNichilo, President and CEO of Mott MacDonald in North America. “Our recent projects here have included program management for the design and construction of the award-winning Airbus Final Assembly Line, and we are currently leading a team of project management and technical consultants for the creation of the new Mobile River Bridge.”

The approximately two-mile section of Golden Gate Boulevard was widened from a two-lane rural roadway to a four-lane urban roadway.  An urban roadway includes curbs and gutters along the outside lanes and along the medians. Other features include turn lanes at every side street with U-turn accommodations, and the widening of the bridge over the Golden Gate Main Canal from two lanes to four lanes.

With traffic projections of more than 29,000 vehicles per day by the year 2035 (according to the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan), having the roadway widened to four lanes not only alleviates traffic congestion but also helps with added safety improvements including on-street bike lanes and 6-foot sidewalks on both sides of the roadway, along with school bus stop features (including bike racks at intersections and a shelter at Golden Gate Boulevard and 16th Street SE).

“One of the major benefits of the project is the creation of a median divided roadway (two lanes eastbound and two lanes westbound) where residents don’t need to stop for school buses in the opposing direction,” said Collier County Transportation Engineering Division Director Jay Ahmad.  Ahmad said that this is not only a safety benefit but also a big help with Golden Gate Estates residents’ commute to work in the morning during peak traffic hours.

The project was completed on-time and within the approximately $20 million budget despite being in the path of Hurricane Irma two months before completion.

The award will be presented at the 13th Annual Conference of the DBIA Florida Region on Oct. 4, 2018.

For more than 65 years, RLG has been recognized as one of the top engineering firms in Texas for its ability to attract and retain a talented, experienced team. The Dallas-based civil, structural, surveying and forensic engineering firm was founded in 1953 by David’s father, Raymond L. Goodson, Jr. David began working with RLG’s surveying crew while he was in high school. After graduating from Cornell University in 1976 and working in Houston for five years, he returned to the company in 1981 to form the Structural Engineering department at RLG and worked his way up to become CEO of the firm.

“I cannot think of a more qualified recipient of the Jerry Allen Courage in Leadership Award than David Goodson. As CEO, David has demonstrated courage by staying true to his beliefs of leading with the interest of his employees, shareholders and clients first,” says Stuart Markussen, COO of RLG Consulting Engineers. “His courageous leadership has inspired our team to continue RLG’s legacy of engineering excellence for the next 65 years and beyond.”

Under David’s leadership, the firm has maintained a reputation of trust, building the company’s legacy as an industry leader. In 2018, the firm was recognized as a Best Firm to Work For by Zweig Group and a Top Design Firm by Engineering News Record – Texas and Louisiana. As CEO, Goodson has grown the company’s revenue nearly 60 percent. He has expanded the company’s footprint by opening offices in Fort Worth, Texas, and Peoria, Ill. — adding forensics services for the structural division and hydraulic engineering for the civil division. Since RLG’s inception in 1953, the company has grown to more than 80 employees and serves more than 250 clients annually.

“I have just signed off on North Carolina’s request for $14 million in immediate emergency relief funds to help address the infrastructure impact of Hurricane Florence,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao. “This Administration is committed to helping North Carolinians recover and rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Florence.”

The multi-day storm affected many areas of the state resulting in many closed sections of roads on the national highway system, including Interstate 40 and Interstate 95. The NCDOT continues to detour freight and regional travel from those Interstates because floodwaters have not yet receded. The damage will exceed NCDOT’s budget for emergencies on its large State maintained highway system.  Quick Release of ER funds will reimburse NCDOT for its expenditures for emergency traffic operations and use of State forces and emergency contracts to repair damaged roadways. FHWA’s North Carolina Division is actively involved in coordinating available ER site assessments of this large-scale event.

The FHWA’s ER program provides funding for highways and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events.

More information about FHWA’s ER program can be found online at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/programadmin/erelief.cfm.

For decades, the most popular method to protect sheet piles has been coal tar epoxy coatings due to the low cost and excellent water resistance. However, many problems arise during the application of these standard coal tar epoxies such as delamination between multiple coats, poor adhesion, and long cure times. These issues can cripple the applicator’s production rates and lead to premature coating failures once the sheet piles are in service.

The Protal 600 CTE (Coal Tar Epoxy) was chosen for this sheet pile project in Harris County, Texas, due to its high build one coat application, excellent adhesion, abrasion resistance and fast cure time. The coating was spray applied using a Graco 70:1 Single Leg Airless Pump by an extremely experienced and qualified spray applicator. The applicator, CPS Houston, was impressed with the efficient one-coat application and fast cure time, which dramatically increased their production rates. The owner was very pleased with the quick delivery, success of installation, and quality of the coating. The owner and applicator have made the Protal 600 CTE their coating of choice for sheet pile protection.

Denso also manufactures an alternative Protal 650 CTR which is a replacement to coal tar epoxies.

Every year, GPA, an official chapter of the American Planning Association, hosts an annual conference where the organization recognizes local communities and regional commissions for their work to make Georgia a better place to live. The Outstanding Planning Document Award focuses on a specific planning deliverable that goes above and beyond the traditional planning document in terms of communication, graphics, storytelling, and overall quality of thought and delivery. The focus of this category is on the quality of a document that is created in the planning process. This document is a culminating document or report of significance as opposed to a singular exhibit used partially through the process.

According to the qualifications of the award, the Lenox Road Corridor Plan was selected as GPA’s Outstanding Planning Document this year because of its comprehensiveness, quality of thought, analysis and character, along with several other qualities.

The plan was created after the Buckhead CID found a need to enhance Lenox Road, a heavily traveled corridor that lacks appropriate pedestrian amenities. The plan was developed by Stantec and focuses on improving the pedestrian and bicycle network along Lenox Road with expanded sidewalks, multi-use trails, sidepaths, new streetscape improvements to mirror the aesthetics of Peachtree Road and operational improvements at the GA400 interchange to allow for safe pedestrian/bicycle crossings.

The plan was part of Buckhead REdeFINED a program designed in 2016 that includes projects to improve Buckhead over the next 15 years. Due to the corridor’s complexity, the plan is divided into three “Character Areas,” including Piedmont Road to GA 400, GA 400 to Peachtree Road and Peachtree Road to East Paces Ferry Road. To view the award-winning detailed plan, click here.

“Winning this award is a remarkable honor and we have Stantec to thank for their excellent work,” said Jim Durrett, executive director – Buckhead CID. “We hope that the plan will help us to improve the pedestrian and bicycle network along Lenox Road so that residents and visitors to the area can not only enjoy Buckhead, but also feel safe,” he added.

Because of the heavy rainfall amounts, Duke said it is difficult to calculate the amount of water that may have reached Sutton Lake, the cooling pond that was constructed to support plant operations.

Inspections identified a slope failure and erosion in one section of the coal ash landfill, which displaced about 2,000 cubic yards of material and would fill about two-thirds of an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The majority of displaced ash was collected in a perimeter ditch and haul road that surrounds the landfill and is on plant property.

Coal ash is non-hazardous, and the company does not believe this incident poses a risk to public health or the environment. The company is conducting environmental sampling as well.

Site personnel are managing the situation and will proceed with a full repair as weather conditions improve.

Ash basins, which are being excavated, and the cooling pond continue to operate safely.

The restoration of Grove Park Place will include the removal of invasive species, resurfacing of the roadway, and the rehabilitation of vegetation along the corridor. Additionally, the grand overlook area will maximize breathtaking panoramic views of the reservoir and the Atlanta skyline. Visitors will also be able to experience the quarry by ADA accessible trails leading to the grand overlook.

Since September 2016, the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management has been working to transform the Bellwood quarry into a more than 2 billion-gallon emergency drinking water reservoir that will increase the city’s emergency water supply from three to 30 days.

“The Westside Park at Bellwood Quarry will change the surrounding landscape far beyond just being the largest greenspace in the city,” said Mayor Bottoms. “The park will become ground zero for some of the biggest economic investments ever seen on the Westside of Atlanta. It will help neighborhoods here thrive and return to their former glory, as well as be the home of an important back-up water source for the entire city.”

Also announced were the unveiling of two new public charging stations for electric vehicles, the department’s support of the #justdriveok teen anti-texting campaign and contracts awarded for projects including bridge rehabilitations on both I-44 in Oklahoma City and on I-35 near Paoli.

The commission voted unanimously to approve ODOT’s Eight-Year Construction Work Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2019-2026, which contains nearly $6.5 billion in planned work on state bridges and highways during the next eight years. The plan prioritizes critically needed highway projects and is updated each year based on projections of available state and federal funding. This year’s plan includes 1,386 projects, construction of more than 720 miles of shoulders or other improvements to two-lane highways and 686 highway bridge replacements or major rehabilitations.

“I don’t think we would be as far along on structurally deficient bridges had it not been for an Eight-Year Construction Work Plan to keep us focused,” said ODOT Executive Director and Transportation Secretary Mike Patterson.

The number of structurally deficient bridges on the state highway system has been reduced from an all-time high of 1,168 in 2004 to 168 today, and those are expected to be programmed for replacement or rehabilitation within the next two years. However, now that the goal of removing all structurally deficient bridges is in sight, greater emphasis will be on highway pavement maintenance and reconstruction.

The $473 million Asset Preservation Plan for State Fiscal Years 2019-2022 is a companion to the Eight-Year Construction Work Plan and focuses on preventive maintenance projects designed to extend the life of highway infrastructure. The plan features nearly 400 projects and includes 44 projects to improve highways to Americans with Disabilities Act standards by constructing curb ramps, sidewalks and crosswalks and installing traffic signal push buttons for pedestrians.

Also approved was the County Improvements for Roads and Bridges Construction Work Plan for Fiscal Years 2019-2023. The latest plan calls for $877 million in improvements, most of the bridge projects will be replacements and nearly 40 projects use recycled bridge beams from the I-40 Crosstown project in Oklahoma City. The CIRB enables county commissioners to develop and schedule projects to improve roads and bridges on their system and is the one county program for which ODOT has oversight responsibility on construction contracts.

“The opening of the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes is a historic moment for transportation in Georgia,” said Deal. “A robust transportation network is one of the most vital components for sustained economic development and establishing solid infrastructure is essential for managing the transportation needs of our residents, business community and visitors. This corridor of I-75 has seen significant growth in the past two decades and while no one strategy can wholly eliminate traffic congestion, we are combining innovative transportation options like reversible express lanes to ensure more consistent and reliable trip times.”

This $834 million infrastructure project, the largest of its kind in state history, adds 29.7 miles of reversible express lanes along I-75 from Akers Mill Road to Hickory Grove Road, and along I-575 from I-75 to Sixes Road. The newly constructed barrier-separated express lanes operate southbound in the morning and reverse to northbound in the evening. The lanes feature dynamic pricing with rates rising as demand increases during peak travel times and falling at off-peak times.

“The Northwest Corridor Express Lanes represent one of the most transformative transportation projects in state history, enhancing both mobility and choice for motorists in this part of the state,” said GDOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. “We are deeply appreciative of the leadership of Gov. Deal, the Georgia General Assembly and all of the agencies, organizations, municipalities and people who have contributed to the successful delivery of this project.”

GDOT is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the roadway. Operation of the pricing aspects of the lanes, including all customer service functions related to the Peach Pass system, is managed by the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA).

The express lanes are open to drivers with a registered Peach Pass in vehicles with two axles and six wheels or less. Registered transit, vanpools and emergency vehicles are exempt from paying a fee. The express lanes are free for motorists with a registered Peach Pass through Friday, Sept. 21.

More information about the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes is available at https://www.dot.ga.gov/DS/GEL/NWC.

The USGS Coastal Change Hazards storm team is making two types of coastal erosion forecasts that, taken together, describe the range of effects that Florence may have on the coast. The first approach uses a computer model that analyzes coast-wide beach impacts to predict the probabilities of dune erosion and overwash for a wide area.  The second approach, the Total Water Level and Coastal Change Forecast Viewer, is an experimental model that focuses on specific locations over longer periods, forecasting the timing and magnitude of elevated water levels at the shoreline.

“Our forecast is for Florence to cause a long-lasting coastal erosion process with more than one set of impacts to the Mid-Atlantic beaches,” said research oceanographer Kara Doran, leader of the USGS Coastal Change Hazards Storm Team based in St. Petersburg, Florida.

“As Florence makes landfall its storm surge will cause some erosion at the base of the dunes from Georgia through Virginia. In most places it is not likely to overtop that protective row of dunes and cause damage to the communities and natural areas behind them – at least not at first,” Doran said. “But if the storm lingers, and if high surge, higher than normal tides and strong waves persist over a period of days, the likelihood increases that the dunes could be overtopped and flooding could occur behind them.”

The USGS Coastal Change Hazards storm team is making two types of coastal erosion forecasts that, taken together, describe the range of effects that Florence may have on the coast. The first approach predicts the probabilities of dune erosion and overwash for a wide area.  The second approach forecasts the timing and magnitude of elevated water levels at the shoreline in the Total Water Level and Coastal Change Forecast Viewer.

The prediction of Florence’s effects at landfall are based on results of the USGS Coastal Change Forecast model, which has been in use since 2011, and is continually being improved. The Coastal Change Forecast model starts with the National Hurricane Center’s storm surge predictions and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration wave forecast models as input. The USGS model then adds detailed information about the beach slope and dune height to predict how high waves and surge will move up the beach, and whether the protective dunes will be overtopped, at high resolution for all the areas likely to be affected by storm-tides from Hurricane Florence. Because the projections are based on storm-surge forecasts, they change each time the storm surge forecast is updated.

On Tuesday, the model forecast that as Florence crosses the coast, erosion at the bases of protective sand dunes is very likely to occur on 75 percent of North Carolina’s beaches, 53 percent of Virginia’s beaches, 36 percent of Georgia’s beaches, 29 percent of South Carolina’s beaches and 4 percent of Maryland’s beaches.

Beach erosion is only the first level of damage a major storm can cause. As waves and surge reach higher than the top of the dune, overwash occurs, often transporting large amounts of sand across coastal environments, depositing sand inland and causing significant changes to the landscape. Overwash is currently predicted as very likely for 20 percent of beaches in Virginia, 15 percent in North Carolina, 12 percent in South Carolina, and three percent in Georgia.

Inundation, the most severe impact, occurs when beaches and dunes are completely and continuously submerged by surge. Inundation is forecast as very likely for one percent of North Carolina beaches.

The public can view a real-time map of these estimates on the USGS’ Coastal Change Hazards Portal (https://marine.usgs.gov/coastalchangehazardsportal). Emergency managers can use the coastal change forecast to help identify locations where coastal impacts might be the most severe, such as where roads will be overwashed by sand or where it’s roads might go underwater because of storm surge and large waves.

The most up-to-date forecasts for potential coastal change predictions are available on the National Assessment of Storm-Induced Coastal Change Hazards – Hurricane Florence page (https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/assessments/active.php).

The Total Water Level and Coastal Change Forecast Viewer is a new predictive tool and is considered experimental. For that reason, it is not meant as a guide to making important decisions about protecting lives and property. However, its time-dependent outlook gives a fuller view of a storm’s long-range effects on coastal resources.

While the final projections for Hurricane Florence will continue to change, Florence is forecasted to remain a powerful storm for several days and is likely to damage many parts of the Mid-Atlantic coastline.

Storm surge is among the most dangerous natural hazards unleashed by hurricanes, with the capacity to destroy homes and businesses, wipe out roads, bridges, water and sewer systems, and profoundly alter coastal landscapes. The USGS has experts on these hazards, state-of-the-science computer models for forecasting coastal change, and sophisticated equipment for monitoring actual flood and tide conditions.

The sensors being installed to measure Hurricane Florence’s storm tide are housed in vented steel pipes a few inches wide and about a foot long. They are being installed on bridges, piers, and other structures that have a good chance of surviving the storm. The information the sensors collect will help define the depth and duration of a storm surge, as well as the time of its arrival and retreat. That information will help public officials assess storm damage, discern between wind and flood damage, and improve computer models used to forecast future floods. Information on the storm-tide sensor deployment and the incoming data will be available on the USGS “Flood Event Viewer” at https://stn.wim.usgs.gov/FEV/#FlorenceSep2018.

In addition to storm-tide sensors, 25 rapid deployment gauges are being installed at critical locations that may be impacted by storm surge or floodwaters, but where the USGS does not have permanent streamgages. The USGS is coordinating with the National Weather Service, FEMA, and state and local agencies to put the rapid deployment gauges in places with the greatest need. These specialized gauges can be quickly installed on bridges to provide real-time information on water levels. They will augment a network of 231 streamgages in North Carolina and 112 streamgages in South Carolina that provide critical information to the National Weather Service, FEMA and other USGS partners involved in issuing flood and evacuation warnings and in coordinating emergency responses to communities.

The USGS studies the impacts of hurricanes and tropical storms to better understand potential impacts on coastal areas. Information provided through the sensor networks provides critical data for more accurate modeling and prediction capabilities and allows for improved structure designs and response for public safety.

G&A Consultants is a 28-year-old multidisciplined consulting firm providing services in civil engineering, land surveying, landscape architecture and land planning services in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas region. The firm employs 43 professionals providing land development design services to private and public clients for single-family and multi-family residential projects, mixed-use developments, retail, office, commercial and educational projects, as well as infrastructure design for municipalities and other agencies.

McAdams’ acquisition of G&A was finalized on August 31, 2018, after a 12-month due-diligence process to ensure mutual alignment of corporate goals and cultural values. The newly combined firm will continue to cater to many of the largest, most notable projects in North Carolina and Texas through services such as land planning, landscape architecture, engineering, survey, environmental consulting and more. True to McAdams and G&A’s people-focused mission, all leadership and employees will be retained through the merger, capitalizing on both teams’ collective client-service experience.

“With G&A and McAdams’ remarkable industry expertise, this merger complements both firms’ combined talent and creative approach to projects,” said Robert J. Dollak, Jr., director of Dallas-Fort Worth at G&A | McAdams. “This union strengthens our ability to grow and flourish in Texas and beyond, both as individuals and as a company.”

The acquisition marks the first office for McAdams outside of North Carolina and will grow the firm of 215 employees to over 260. Over their last 39 years in business, McAdams has focused on large-scale commercial developments, residential communities, education campuses, municipal projects, energy companies and healthcare facilities.

“We are embarking on a new chapter for McAdams,” said Mike Munn, CEO of McAdams. “G&A and McAdams together are positioned to expand our abilities for our clients as we move forward. We will continue our vision of creating meaningful experiences through inspired design.”

Founder and Chairman, John McAdams adds, “The strength of our firm has always been in serving large-scale, fast-paced projects; and adding the great team at G&A provides us the opportunity to expand that capability into the growing DFW market.”

Hyperloop is a new mode of transportation that allows vehicles to travel at very high speeds with minimal aerodynamic resistance by operating in a low-pressure environment utilizing next-generation magnetic levitation technology.

“The RTC is all about bringing innovation to the transportation system in the Dallas-Fort Worth region and hyperloop would be an exciting technology to add,” said Gary Fickes, Tarrant County Commissioner and Chair of the Regional Transportation Council. “I think the future’s very bright for hyperloop and its use in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.”

“The Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Transportation Council has proven itself as forward-thinking agency that wants to give its region a competitive edge by leveraging next-generation technology,” said Rob Lloyd, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop One. “Virgin Hyperloop One is excited to pursue these projects, which would transform what are now separate metropolitan areas into one economic megaregion connected by high speed transport.”

Environmental Impact Statement

Later this year, the RTC will issue a Request for Proposals for a consultant team to complete the Tier 2 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a high-speed corridor connecting Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth. The RTC wants to consider both hyperloop technology and traditional high-speed rail in the environmental study of the route. A preliminary analysis by Virgin Hyperloop One engineers estimated a six-minute hyperloop trip between Dallas and Ft. Worth.

“As our region grows from 7.2 million people now up to 11.2 million by 2045, we are planning a transportation system that offers choices to our residents. Adding an option like hyperloop to the existing system of roadways, rail transit, bicycle/pedestrian facilities and high-speed rail to Houston would expand the system in an exciting way,” said Michael Morris, P.E., Director of Transportation for the North Central Texas Council of Governments. “Connecting other regions in Texas through hyperloop would open up economic opportunities throughout the state.”

Corridor feasibility study

In addition, the RTC has provided funding and has obtained additional funding commitments to undertake a conceptual feasibility study of high-speed technology including hyperloop to connect Fort Worth, Waco, Temple-Killeen, Austin, San Antonio and Laredo. This corridor will be requested to move into a more detailed Tier 2 EIS following the feasibility study.

The two-acre turquoise lagoon — part of a $13 million, 8-acre Amenity Village — will open soon and will again be previewed during special resident activities Sept. 1-3. It is the second Crystal Lagoons amenity to open in the United States and one of 21 that are in development. More than 60 other lagoon projects are in active negotiations.

“We are thrilled to bring a beach lifestyle to Balmoral and to introduce this Crystal Lagoons amenity to the state of Texas,” said Al Brende, owner and co-founder of Land Tejas, developer of Balmoral. “It’s going to reshape the expectations of homebuyers here in Houston and throughout the nation.”

The Balmoral lagoon, which employs a patented, high-tech process allowing for use of 100 times fewer chemicals and 50 times less energy than a traditional pool, is up to 8 feet deep and the size of almost two football fields, or more than six Olympic swimming pools. It also features a kids’ cove and two different white sand beaches, including a family beach with cabanas and lounge chairs, and a serenity beach that offers beach volleyball.

Overlooking the lagoon is an infinity-edge pool. Other amenities at the complex include a food truck courtyard, hammock park, playground and splash pad. A 7,500-square-foot clubhouse anchors the complex, offering well-appointed event space, a broad, pool-side veranda and a fitness center.

“Our lagoons have revolutionized multiple real estate segments around the world and are now doing so in residential and resort communities across the U.S.,” said Kevin P. Morgan, executive vice president of Crystal Lagoons U.S. Corp. “Texas will ultimately be the largest real estate market for the company and currently is one of many trend-setting states rapidly embracing and deploying our new Public Access Lagoons across multiple segments such as retail, public parks, golf courses and vacant land.”

The firm is providing detailed plans, specifications, and estimates for the rehabilitation and expansion of the city’s computerized traffic signal system. The system will consist of up to 155 intersections and 24 closed-circuit television cameras, utilizing a new redundant circuit Ethernet communications system composed of 58 miles of single-mode fiber optic communications cable.

This project will include new 2070 controllers and associated cabinets, installation of new traffic control center and signal shop equipment, emergency vehicle preemption, and advanced 360-degree video detection for automated turning movement traffic data collection at 43 intersections.

“With nearly three decades of experience working with NCDOT and having managed several projects in Greenville over the past 20 years, I’m excited to continue this relationship and partner it with Dewberry’s expanding transportation team in the southeast,” says Dewberry Senior Associate and Project Manager Todd Brooks, P.E.