The recent public revelation that a Caltrans employee submitted fabricated safety test results and destroyed testing data for the $6.3 billion Bay Bridge project is deeply troubling.
First and foremost, everyone is rightly concerned about the safety of the new bridge. Fortunately, that employee can no longer engage in such appalling conduct. After The Bee broke the story – following an exhaustive investigation – Caltrans announced it had fired the offending employee and his supervisor. Furthermore, independent experts are now reviewing the integrity of the foundations for the Bay Bridge project.
However, The Bee's findings also raise serious questions about Caltrans itself. The Bee found evidence that Caltrans discovered the employee had falsified reports on other projects after he had tested the foundations of the Bay Bridge project, yet took little action against that employee. Regardless of which official knew what and when, by any standard, such a performance by an organization is unacceptable. At a minimum, such findings demonstrate that at Caltrans there is not nearly enough basic accountability.
In contrast, if a private engineering firm falsified test reports and destroyed data, that firm would almost immediately cease to exist. It would be legally liable for tremendous damages. Its invoices would not be paid. Its reputation would be destroyed. No one would hire the firm.
Today, Caltrans – with 22,000 employees – is so large that it is difficult to properly manage. Indeed, Caltrans is far larger than any other state department of transportation in the nation, including transportation departments with project workloads similar to Caltrans. Whereas Caltrans relies on state employees to do 90 percent of its workload, other state transportation departments use fully accountable engineering firms for an average of 50 percent to 60 percent of their workloads.
Many studies have documented Caltrans' internal problems. For example, the California state auditor found that Caltrans regularly experiences employee cost overruns on projects and fails to keep accurate employee time records, and the state Legislative Analyst's Office conservatively concluded that Caltrans is overstaffed by at least 1,500 employees.
Adopting the LAO's recommendation would free up at least $200 million a year for the hard construction of new transportation projects. It would create thousands of new and badly needed construction jobs.
Freeing up this money for actual construction projects is particularly important, because other sources of funding for transportation are rapidly diminishing. Proposition 1B, the $19 billion bond fund passed in 2006, is running out. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act federal stimulus funds are winding down. Traditional federal transportation funding is diminishing. And between inflation and an increasing number of people shifting to high-mileage vehicles, the gas tax is losing its ability to generate revenue.
There is no question of the need to dramatically reform and downsize Caltrans. A particularly effective way of accomplishing that – entirely consistent with Gov. Jerry Brown's realignment proposals – is transferring a substantial portion of the state's current transportation funds and authority from Caltrans to local transportation agencies.
Since the mid-1980s, county transportation agencies – often referred to as the "Self-Help Counties" or SHCs – have made many major improvements to our highway and transit systems. Today, more than half of the transportation projects that drivers and transit riders see when they travel actually are sponsored by "Self-Help Counties", not by Caltrans.
The Self-Help Counties have developed a well-earned reputation for speedy, cost-effective delivery of transportation projects and are fully accountable to local voters. The SHCs' revenue comes from local sales tax measures – typically1/2 cent – dedicated to transportation. Those sales tax measures must be approved by two-thirds of the local voters. If the SHCs do not deliver on their promised projects within a reasonable time, the voters will not renew the sales tax measures. It is as simple as that.
Extending the governor's realignment proposal to transportation will greatly improve accountability and efficient project delivery. There is no reason to wait. With our economy hurting, our roads and transit systems in terrible shape, and the public rightly expecting safe transportation facilities, now is the time for realignment.
Eddie Kho, PE
ACEC California President
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
EEA Update: Project Design Consultants Wins 2011 Engineering Excellence Merit Award
Project Design Consultants (PDC) received an Engineering Excellence Award (Merit) for the San Dieguito Wetlands Restoration Project. PDC was contracted by Southern California Edison (SCE), as the prime consultant to provide project management, final grading/dredging plans, flood control coordination, survey/mapping, and permit processing for the restoration of 150 acres of wetlands as part of a 440-acre nature preserve. The preserve is accessible by viewing platforms, a visitor’s center and trail system that is linked from the ocean along the San Dieguito River. The project was an outstanding success by all measure. Southern California Edison (SCE) and other stakeholders are very pleased.
About San Dieguito Wetlands Restoration Project (YouTube Video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1dTzms5Sck
About San Dieguito Wetlands Restoration Project (YouTube Video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1dTzms5Sck
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
We Need More American-trained Engineers to Design America's Future
Just before Labor Day, a coalition of 45 companies companies, including Facebook, Intel, Bayer, McKesson, JP Morgan and other big names from the private sector, announced a program to double the number of internships they offer engineering students in 2012.
ACEC California applauds the move, which has a goal of creating 6,500 internships and was announced by the White House as part of the Obama Administration’s goal of increasing the number of engineering students who graduate from U.S. colleges and universities by 10,000 each year. That, in turn, is tied to the Administration’s plans for creating jobs, part of which is to promote engineering disciplines, including infrastructure development which is at the core of what our members – chiefly consulting engineers and land surveyors – are involved in.
It’s a great start, but it’s hardly enough.
Just look at the situation here in California: it has been estimated that each year our higher education system produces 10,000 – or about one sixth -- of the engineers in the U.S. Seventy percent of those graduates hold BS degrees while 20 percent hold a Master’s and the remainder are PhD candidates. Of the 1,000 or so PhD candidates, about 70 percent are foreigners, many of whom return home upon completion of their degree requirement.
Meanwhile, India produces 600,000 engineers per year and China, a staggering one million engineers through its education system. Here in California, we need to at least double the number of engineers we produce here each year to 20,000 just to keep pace and that goes for the U.S. as a whole also.
The U.S. is not alone in being slow to recognize the importance of a strong engineering sector. Earlier this summer, Sir John Parker, head of Britain’s Royal Academy of Engineering, cautioned that the U.K. needs to double its output of qualified engineers if the Cameron government’s goal of “rebalancing the economy” by boosting manufacturing output and jobs was to become reality. Here in the U.S., our manufacturing sector has long been on the wane and part of the reason is a lack of qualified engineers. As Sir John correctly pointed out in his interview with the Financial Times: “If you look at what lies behind the products and services of many companies, from pharmaceuticals to railways, you will find that their creative focus is invariably centred on the art and science of engineering.”
In our industry, we look to engineers to solve huge problems from how to create a safe bridge span, to how high to build a dam and where to establish a wastewater treatment plant. Some solutions are routine, some extraordinary. We honor many projects each year through our Engineering Excellence Awards. Last year’s national winner was a project to design a facility for Southern California onion producer Gills Onions allowing the company to turn onion byproducts into energy to help power a local onion processing plant. Member firm HDR provided that solution.
We also do our bit to promote the sector to students at high schools and colleges throughout the state. Our website has links to resources for students and ACEC California, its local chapters and member firms regularly take outreach to high schools up and down the state. And, in addition to internships and scholarships provided by our national organization, local chapters and member firms, our state Scholarship Foundation provides annual scholarships to engineering students in California.
But we can, and will do more. The Business Council, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, American Chemistry Council and the White House have led the way in shining a light on this issue and we hope to intensify the attention on this critical issue.
ACEC California applauds the move, which has a goal of creating 6,500 internships and was announced by the White House as part of the Obama Administration’s goal of increasing the number of engineering students who graduate from U.S. colleges and universities by 10,000 each year. That, in turn, is tied to the Administration’s plans for creating jobs, part of which is to promote engineering disciplines, including infrastructure development which is at the core of what our members – chiefly consulting engineers and land surveyors – are involved in.
It’s a great start, but it’s hardly enough.
Just look at the situation here in California: it has been estimated that each year our higher education system produces 10,000 – or about one sixth -- of the engineers in the U.S. Seventy percent of those graduates hold BS degrees while 20 percent hold a Master’s and the remainder are PhD candidates. Of the 1,000 or so PhD candidates, about 70 percent are foreigners, many of whom return home upon completion of their degree requirement.
Meanwhile, India produces 600,000 engineers per year and China, a staggering one million engineers through its education system. Here in California, we need to at least double the number of engineers we produce here each year to 20,000 just to keep pace and that goes for the U.S. as a whole also.
The U.S. is not alone in being slow to recognize the importance of a strong engineering sector. Earlier this summer, Sir John Parker, head of Britain’s Royal Academy of Engineering, cautioned that the U.K. needs to double its output of qualified engineers if the Cameron government’s goal of “rebalancing the economy” by boosting manufacturing output and jobs was to become reality. Here in the U.S., our manufacturing sector has long been on the wane and part of the reason is a lack of qualified engineers. As Sir John correctly pointed out in his interview with the Financial Times: “If you look at what lies behind the products and services of many companies, from pharmaceuticals to railways, you will find that their creative focus is invariably centred on the art and science of engineering.”
In our industry, we look to engineers to solve huge problems from how to create a safe bridge span, to how high to build a dam and where to establish a wastewater treatment plant. Some solutions are routine, some extraordinary. We honor many projects each year through our Engineering Excellence Awards. Last year’s national winner was a project to design a facility for Southern California onion producer Gills Onions allowing the company to turn onion byproducts into energy to help power a local onion processing plant. Member firm HDR provided that solution.
We also do our bit to promote the sector to students at high schools and colleges throughout the state. Our website has links to resources for students and ACEC California, its local chapters and member firms regularly take outreach to high schools up and down the state. And, in addition to internships and scholarships provided by our national organization, local chapters and member firms, our state Scholarship Foundation provides annual scholarships to engineering students in California.
But we can, and will do more. The Business Council, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, American Chemistry Council and the White House have led the way in shining a light on this issue and we hope to intensify the attention on this critical issue.
Friday, August 19, 2011
EEA Update: Kjeldsen, Sinnock & Neudeck, Inc. for the San Joaquin County Flood Contingency Mapping FEMA Pilot
International Bridge Technologies, Inc. received a Small Firm Merit Award for the Pitt River Bridge. International Bridge Technologies, Inc. was contracted by Associated Kjeldsen, Sinnock & Neudeck, Inc., (KSN) contracted with San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services to provide civil engineering, surveying, and mapping services for the San Joaquin County Flood Contingency Mapping FEMA Pilot Project. KSN collaborated on the development of the standards and procedures used in the preparation of detailed flood contingency mapping and prepared maps for Smith/Weber Tract, Roberts Island, Boggs Tract, and Mossdale Landing Reclamation Districts.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
EEA Update: Cornerstone Structural Engineering Group, Inc. - History of Tulare County Farm Labor and Agriculture Museum - Wins 2011 Engineering Excellence Small Firm Merit Award
Cornerstone Structural Engineering Group received a Small Firm Merit Award for the History of Tulare County Farm Labor and Agriculture Museum located in Visalia , CA. Cornerstone was contracted by Kleinfelder West to provide structural engineering services for this $2.66 million-dollar project funded by a California Council and Historical Endowment grant committed to strengthening California’s historic and cultural preservation program in a time of diminishing historical and cultural awareness. The museum was modeled after pre-engineered farming sheds that are commonly seen throughout the Central Valley. The “barn” design represents Tulare County’s farming history and conveys a sense of historical significance. Opened to the public in October of 2009, this symbolic structure received awarm welcome by the Tulare County community.
For information, click here.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Why AB 1210 Makes Sense
AB 1210 was introduced to correct inconsistencies created by SWRCB Order 2009 - 0009 - DWQ, also known as the Construction General Permit (CGP). The CGP is inconsistent with existing law as it relates to the scope and practice of civil engineering.
The CGP “requires that all engineering work must be performed by a California licensed engineer” per Item F-45 of the CGP (2009-0009-DWQ as amended by 2010-0014-DWQ). This is because Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) generally include civil engineering design calculations for grading and paving, storm drainage runoff, detention/retention basins, water quality basin and features, soils analysis, soil stability, and other engineering-related calculations, all of which fall under the practice of civil engineering. This is not to mention that most civil engineering improvements plans of the past have included an erosion control and winterization plan long before a SWPPP was even required.
However, the CGP simultaneously creates the classification of Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) and Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP). A QSD/P can prepare all aspects of a SWPPP after attending a training course and passing a certification exam. It is by most accounts, a course that teaches one how to pass the exam. And despite acknowledging in the CGP that civil engineering expertise is necessary to prepare a SWPPP, the Water Board expressly authorizes non-licensed persons to practice within the scope of engineering if a SWPPP includes such elements.
AB 1210, which also has the support of both ASCE Region 9 and BPELSG, seeks to address this misalignment between statement of intent and application by restating that civil engineering activities must be done by, or under the responsible charge of, a civil engineer. In the event that a SWPPP incorporates practices licensed in California as civil engineering work, then this bill would apply to those aspects of the SWPPP.
AB 1210 also proposes to exempt professional engineers from obtaining a QSD/P certificate. Most licensed civil engineers have a BS, some with an MS in civil engineering, have taken semesters of hydraulics, hydrology, soils and other advanced classes in water quality and water resources engineering, years of work experience before qualifying and then passing the state licensing exam. I submit that a 2 or 3-day training course designed to help one who is not a licensed civil engineer pass the QSD/P certification exam is not the equivalent. As of June 13, 2011, 530 out of 699 (75.8%) QSD/P certificates have been issued to licensed engineers, further underscoring ACEC California’s contention that this certificate is an imposed requirement on the practice of engineering in California, something that can only be implemented by BPELSG, the Board overseeing the practice of engineering in California.
Finally, AB 1210 contains extensive amendments that clarify that many other professionals can continue to obtain a QSD/P certification, if they so desire, and can continue to prepare SWPPPs in a professional capacity. The requirements for supervision under responsible charge of a civil engineer apply only if elements of civil engineering are incorporated into the SWPPP being prepared.
Contrary to allegations, ACEC CA is not circumventing existing law or BPELSG. In fact, ACEC California and the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists sent the SWRCB letters in 2009, during the rulemaking process highlighting each of these issues. Their recommendations to protect the scope of practice of civil engineering, and the resulting affects on public safety, were ignored. As a result, this legislation is intended to correct the drafting contradictions, ensure that requirements to practice engineering remain the purview of the BPELSG, and uphold the standards of public safety and protection that we have come to value in California.
Eddie W. Kho, P.E., F.ASCE, LEED AP BD&C
President, ACEC California
MORTON & PITALO, INC.
The CGP “requires that all engineering work must be performed by a California licensed engineer” per Item F-45 of the CGP (2009-0009-DWQ as amended by 2010-0014-DWQ). This is because Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) generally include civil engineering design calculations for grading and paving, storm drainage runoff, detention/retention basins, water quality basin and features, soils analysis, soil stability, and other engineering-related calculations, all of which fall under the practice of civil engineering. This is not to mention that most civil engineering improvements plans of the past have included an erosion control and winterization plan long before a SWPPP was even required.
However, the CGP simultaneously creates the classification of Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) and Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP). A QSD/P can prepare all aspects of a SWPPP after attending a training course and passing a certification exam. It is by most accounts, a course that teaches one how to pass the exam. And despite acknowledging in the CGP that civil engineering expertise is necessary to prepare a SWPPP, the Water Board expressly authorizes non-licensed persons to practice within the scope of engineering if a SWPPP includes such elements.
AB 1210, which also has the support of both ASCE Region 9 and BPELSG, seeks to address this misalignment between statement of intent and application by restating that civil engineering activities must be done by, or under the responsible charge of, a civil engineer. In the event that a SWPPP incorporates practices licensed in California as civil engineering work, then this bill would apply to those aspects of the SWPPP.
AB 1210 also proposes to exempt professional engineers from obtaining a QSD/P certificate. Most licensed civil engineers have a BS, some with an MS in civil engineering, have taken semesters of hydraulics, hydrology, soils and other advanced classes in water quality and water resources engineering, years of work experience before qualifying and then passing the state licensing exam. I submit that a 2 or 3-day training course designed to help one who is not a licensed civil engineer pass the QSD/P certification exam is not the equivalent. As of June 13, 2011, 530 out of 699 (75.8%) QSD/P certificates have been issued to licensed engineers, further underscoring ACEC California’s contention that this certificate is an imposed requirement on the practice of engineering in California, something that can only be implemented by BPELSG, the Board overseeing the practice of engineering in California.
Finally, AB 1210 contains extensive amendments that clarify that many other professionals can continue to obtain a QSD/P certification, if they so desire, and can continue to prepare SWPPPs in a professional capacity. The requirements for supervision under responsible charge of a civil engineer apply only if elements of civil engineering are incorporated into the SWPPP being prepared.
Contrary to allegations, ACEC CA is not circumventing existing law or BPELSG. In fact, ACEC California and the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists sent the SWRCB letters in 2009, during the rulemaking process highlighting each of these issues. Their recommendations to protect the scope of practice of civil engineering, and the resulting affects on public safety, were ignored. As a result, this legislation is intended to correct the drafting contradictions, ensure that requirements to practice engineering remain the purview of the BPELSG, and uphold the standards of public safety and protection that we have come to value in California.
Eddie W. Kho, P.E., F.ASCE, LEED AP BD&C
President, ACEC California
MORTON & PITALO, INC.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
EEA Update: Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group - North Side Regulating Reservoir - Wins 2011 Engineering Excellence Merit Award
Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group received a Merit Award for the Oakdale Irrigation District North Side Regulating Reservoir Project. The project added flow control and regulation capabilities at a strategic location on the Oakdale Irrigation District’s North Main Canal, serving approximately 40 percent of the District’s service area. The project provides the District with the ability to balance surpluses and shortages in irrigation water demand, providing an annual water savings estimated at 6,000 acre-feet per year. The project presented unique and diverse design and construction challenges, but resulted in an overall successful project that met the District’s specific needs, was completed on time, and for an excellent price.
For more information, please click here.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
ACEC California members: Take Action Today to support AB 1210
ACEC California is sponsoring AB 1210 (Garrick, R-Carlsbad) to make it clear that a state agency—just like anyone else—may not violate the Professional Engineers Act. The bill specifically addresses the State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB’s) regulations on Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs). These regulations purport to authorize QSD/QSPs, many of whom are not professional engineers, to do civil engineering. For example, SWPPP documents include water flow calculations, water load calculations, drainage and flow rate calculations, soils analysis and soil stability calculations, and other civil engineering work. AB 1210 makes it clear that the SWRCB is not above the law, i.e. the Professional Engineers Act, which provides that only licensed civil engineers and persons under their responsible charge may practice civil engineering, is the final authority on who may or may not practice the elements of civil engineering.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Support RDA’s in the CA Budget!
With budget cuts effecting many sectors of California,redevelopment agencies (RDAs) are not exempt. ACEC is part of a coalition to save RDAs through either a budget deal or legislation such as AB 1250. AB 1250 requires empirical evidence showing “prevalence of specific conditions of blight so substantial they prevent proper utilization of a proposed redevelopment area.”
If approved, AB 1250 would also require performance-based goals for a development and ensure at least 50% of non-housing expenditures are focused on “job creation, transit-oriented development, remediating contaminated property, military base conversion, basic infrastructure needs, or affordable housing.”
ACEC CA asks for your continued support of RDAs through this time of uncertainty.
If approved, AB 1250 would also require performance-based goals for a development and ensure at least 50% of non-housing expenditures are focused on “job creation, transit-oriented development, remediating contaminated property, military base conversion, basic infrastructure needs, or affordable housing.”
ACEC CA asks for your continued support of RDAs through this time of uncertainty.
Friday, June 17, 2011
EEA Update: Penfield & Smith, Inc. Wins 2011 Engineering Excellence Merit Award for Amargosa Creek Underground Conveyance Project
Penfield & Smith, Inc. received a Merit Award for the Amargosa Creek Underground Conveyance Project. The City of Lancaster contracted P&S to provide innovative design and construction phase services for a high-quality, durable underground conveyance structure, large enough to carry 2,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) travelling at 15 feet per second (fps), for nearly a full mile. The team implemented a porous channel liner to accommodate this demand, and designed the project to be easily accessible for maintenance crews, and aesthetically appealing to the public. The project was completed in May of 2010, ahead of schedule and within budget.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
EEA Update: Mark Thomas & Company Project Wins 2011 Engineering Excellence Merit Award
Mark Thomas & Company received an Engineering Excellence Award (Merit) for the Foster City Consolidated Wetland Mitigation Site. This site provides mitigation for three separate projects which resulted in increased project development and cost efficiencies while maximizing ecological benefits. State of the art science was used to design a new marsh that operates like a naturally occurring one. The project also provides safety and recreational benefits through increased flood protection and construction of a portion of the Bay trail.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Just Like We've Always Said: Follow The Money!
Despite all of the dire warnings about how using the public-private partnership format to complete the improvements to San Francisco's Doyle Drive entrance to the Golden Gate Bridge would end up in disaster, now comes news that 16 private banks are now looking to fund the project.
Click Here to Read Article.
Click Here to Read Article.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
EEA Update: PBS & J Wins 2011 Engineering Excellence Merit Award
Atkins (formerly known as PBS&J), honored 2011 ACEC California Engineering Excellence Merit Award for the Haven Avenue Grade Separation Bridge
A Merit Award also goes to Atkins (formerly known as PBS&J) for the Haven Avenue Grade Separation Bridge project. Atkins developed an innovative architectural concept and structural design for the Haven Avenue Underpass that is economic, effective, and a bold compliment to the backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains. This innovative solution featured precast colored concrete arched girders spanning between arched piers. Locally produced prefabricated arch girders, pilasters, and balustrade railing units provided precise quality, reduced formwork cost and accelerated construction. Due to Atkins’ innovative solutions and close coordination with the City of Rancho Cucamonga, the result is a visually stunning bridge that was constructed on an aggressive schedule and met budgetary constraints.
Video: http://www.pcidesignawards.org/pages/TE_02/TE_02.html
Issue: http://www.aspirebridge.com/pdfs/magazine/issue_18/Haven_Avenue_Web.pdf
A Merit Award also goes to Atkins (formerly known as PBS&J) for the Haven Avenue Grade Separation Bridge project. Atkins developed an innovative architectural concept and structural design for the Haven Avenue Underpass that is economic, effective, and a bold compliment to the backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains. This innovative solution featured precast colored concrete arched girders spanning between arched piers. Locally produced prefabricated arch girders, pilasters, and balustrade railing units provided precise quality, reduced formwork cost and accelerated construction. Due to Atkins’ innovative solutions and close coordination with the City of Rancho Cucamonga, the result is a visually stunning bridge that was constructed on an aggressive schedule and met budgetary constraints.
Video: http://www.pcidesignawards.org/pages/TE_02/TE_02.html
Issue: http://www.aspirebridge.com/pdfs/magazine/issue_18/Haven_Avenue_Web.pdf
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
EEA Update: International Bridge Technologies, Inc.’s, The Pitt River Bridge, Wins 2011 Engineering Excellence Merit Award
A Merit Award goes to International Bridge Technologies, Inc. for the Pitt River Bridge. International Bridge Technologies, Inc. was contracted by Associated Engineering to work on the detailed design of this cable stayed bridge as part of the design/build team headed by Kiewit Construction and engineering consultant Marshall Macklin and Monaghan. The new bridge replaced two existing two-lane bridges on the Pitt River connecting Pitt Meadows and Port Coquitlam near Vancouver, British Columbia. With seven lanes of traffic and one lane dedicated to bicycles and pedestrians, it has eliminated the Highway 7 bottleneck created by the existing swing span bridges. This iconic structure supported by three planes of stay cables was opened to traffic ahead of schedule in the fall of 2009.
Monday, April 25, 2011
EEA Update: Fuscoe Engineering's Sunset Park Project Wins 2011 Engineering Excellence Merit Award
Fuscoe Engineering, Inc. received an Engineering Excellence Award (Merit) for Sunset Park in the City of San Marcos. Fuscoe Engineering, Inc. was contracted by the City of San Marcos as the prime consultant to provide Full Circle Thinking® solutions to address grading and drainage challenges and to preserve a natural stream and wetlands area. The end result is a more sustainable and ecologically harmonious park design that has a positive impact on the community.
News Release: http://www.fuscoe.com/press_releases/110314.html
News Release: http://www.fuscoe.com/press_releases/110314.html
Friday, April 22, 2011
EEA Update: Fugro West, Inc. Honored for the Hueneme Outfall Replacement Project
A Merit Awar d goes to Calleguas Municipal Water District and Fugro West, Inc., for the Hueneme Outfall Replacement Project. Fugro was contracted by the project’s design engineer, Black & Veatch, to provide marine survey, marine geophysical surveys, and geotechnical evaluation and design. Fugro also provided geotechnical and construction materials testing services to Calleguas throughout the construction phase. The Hueneme Outfall project consists of 2,300 feet of horizontal directionally drilled 36-inch OD HDPE pipe that exists in 30 feet of water off of the coast of Port Hueneme, Ventura County.
Project challenges include successfully permitting one of the few new ocean outfalls in California, sequencing operations to minimize drilling fluid escape to the ocean, 24-hour construction in a highly visible recreational area adjacent to a densely populated residential neighborhood, and construction conducted within two separate and very limited seasonal windows due to weather and regulatory restrictions.
Project challenges include successfully permitting one of the few new ocean outfalls in California, sequencing operations to minimize drilling fluid escape to the ocean, 24-hour construction in a highly visible recreational area adjacent to a densely populated residential neighborhood, and construction conducted within two separate and very limited seasonal windows due to weather and regulatory restrictions.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
EEA Update: Dokken Engineering Honored for the I-5 HOV/Lomas Santa Fe Drive Interchange Project
Dokken Engineering received an Engineering Excellence Award (Merit) for the 1-5 HOV/Lomas Santa Fe Drive Interchanges project. The diverse project team created solutions to effectively balance the needs of the City of Solana Beach, Caltrans, and the community. Throughout the process, Dokken continually engaged the City by attending City Council meetings as well as holding project development team meetings, monthly coordination meetings, and field meetings. During the construction phase, Caltrans implemented A+B methodology which encouraged the contractor to reduce the construction time and finish a year ahead of schedule. This allowed the HOV lanes to be open to traffic prior to the start of the U.S. Open Golf Championship at Torrey Pines and the San Diego County Fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The end result was a project, delivered ahead of schedule and under budget that provided an economical and cost-effective solution for the city.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Degenkolb Engineers Honored for the Caltrans District 4, Seismic Upgrade Project
A Merit Award was given to Degenkolb Engineers for the seismic upgrade of the Caltrans District 4 Headquarters, a 15-story 750,000 square foot steel moment frame structure that houses the San Francisco Bay Area’s transportation management center including its emergency response team. A team under the direction of Degenkolb Engineers as prime design consultants employed extensive state-of-the-art analysis techniques, a building damping system, and full scale upgraded connection testing to design a retrofit scheme that will protect the building. The team was challenged with providing a seismic upgrade to the building while it remained in full operation, also while staying within the project schedule and budget limitations. Upon completion, Degenkolb’s team had met and satisfied all the goals and timelines of the owner.
Friday, March 25, 2011
A Bridge Too Far?
We have been saying it for years, but no matter how often it is said—or how many others join the chorus—the basic problem persists: California’s transportation infrastructure is among the worst in the nation….and, no surprise, it keeps getting worse, not better.
This week, Transportation for America, a Washington, DC-based non-profit, again documented the problem. California’s bridges and elevated roadways are now ranked the 18th worst in the nation. One in eight of our state’s bridges is considered to be a “high priority” for repair. The problem is so bad that just last week the federal government announced the adoption of new bridge inspection standards.
Perhaps most troubling is that the report finds that the average age of California’s bridges is 44.4 years. Most bridges are designed to last just 50 years. Does that portend a new wave of structurally deficient bridges?
The problem appears to be more severe in northern California. According to the study, in the San Francisco Bay Area one in five bridges are in the high priority category. In fact, San Francisco is at the top of the list of the group’s cities in America for concern over bridge conditions and safety. And outlying parts of the Bay Area do not have it any better. Solano County has 61 bridges that are “structurally deficient.”
The public understands that this is a serious matter. A recent national poll found that 91 percent of the voters believe that repairing and maintaining our roads and bridges should be the top priority for state transportation spending. [make “recent national poll” hot: http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/lessons-from-the-stimulus.pdf]
How on earth did we get here? California has one of the largest economies in the world. Last year, the state spent $907 million in federal dollars on bridge repair, far more than any other state. Yet still we have not kept pace. Part of the problem is that state and federal transportation funding fluctuates from year to year. Another problem is that inflation has eroded the purchasing power of the gas tax. Another problem is that multiple studies have found that Caltrans has higher than average overhead costs.
Another problem is the terrible financial condition of the State of California. California now has the lowest credit rating of any state in the union and so must pay the highest interest rates when it borrows money and issues bonds. Also, according to the State Treasurer, the State’s debt service on already approved bonds will reach the historically unprecedented level of ten per cent of the state’s total general fund spending.
There is a project delivery technique, which avoids these problems, which is getting more and more use throughout the United States and indeed around the world. That technique is public-private partnerships (P3s), which combine public sector oversight and project sponsorship with private sector financing, expertise and accelerated project delivery.
P3s are especially vital to California now, when our economy is down, when people are hurting and when voter approval of tax increases is difficult to achieve.
Support for expanding California’s use of P3s has grown and grown. Construction unions, business leaders, public policy commentators, local public officials and many others now support the use of P3s to finance and quickly deliver need transportation projects. It represents a timely, innovative solution to fixing our critical infrastructure.
Unfortunately, though, when it comes to actual use of P3s, California severely lags most other states and many nations. The reason for that lag is not hard to find: A politically powerful union of Caltrans employees (Professional Engineers in California Government or PECG) has fought California’s use of P3s in every possible way: in the legislature, during the state’s administrative procedures, in the courts and in the media.
At this point what California needs is a complete overhaul of our approach to financing and fulfilling infrastructure projects in the state. To move forward we need to bring together the best that the public and private sectors. And we need to get moving quickly. We must not ignore the need to fix our structurally deficient bridges and elevated roadways.
This week, Transportation for America, a Washington, DC-based non-profit, again documented the problem. California’s bridges and elevated roadways are now ranked the 18th worst in the nation. One in eight of our state’s bridges is considered to be a “high priority” for repair. The problem is so bad that just last week the federal government announced the adoption of new bridge inspection standards.
Perhaps most troubling is that the report finds that the average age of California’s bridges is 44.4 years. Most bridges are designed to last just 50 years. Does that portend a new wave of structurally deficient bridges?
The problem appears to be more severe in northern California. According to the study, in the San Francisco Bay Area one in five bridges are in the high priority category. In fact, San Francisco is at the top of the list of the group’s cities in America for concern over bridge conditions and safety. And outlying parts of the Bay Area do not have it any better. Solano County has 61 bridges that are “structurally deficient.”
The public understands that this is a serious matter. A recent national poll found that 91 percent of the voters believe that repairing and maintaining our roads and bridges should be the top priority for state transportation spending. [make “recent national poll” hot: http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/lessons-from-the-stimulus.pdf]
How on earth did we get here? California has one of the largest economies in the world. Last year, the state spent $907 million in federal dollars on bridge repair, far more than any other state. Yet still we have not kept pace. Part of the problem is that state and federal transportation funding fluctuates from year to year. Another problem is that inflation has eroded the purchasing power of the gas tax. Another problem is that multiple studies have found that Caltrans has higher than average overhead costs.
Another problem is the terrible financial condition of the State of California. California now has the lowest credit rating of any state in the union and so must pay the highest interest rates when it borrows money and issues bonds. Also, according to the State Treasurer, the State’s debt service on already approved bonds will reach the historically unprecedented level of ten per cent of the state’s total general fund spending.
There is a project delivery technique, which avoids these problems, which is getting more and more use throughout the United States and indeed around the world. That technique is public-private partnerships (P3s), which combine public sector oversight and project sponsorship with private sector financing, expertise and accelerated project delivery.
P3s are especially vital to California now, when our economy is down, when people are hurting and when voter approval of tax increases is difficult to achieve.
Support for expanding California’s use of P3s has grown and grown. Construction unions, business leaders, public policy commentators, local public officials and many others now support the use of P3s to finance and quickly deliver need transportation projects. It represents a timely, innovative solution to fixing our critical infrastructure.
Unfortunately, though, when it comes to actual use of P3s, California severely lags most other states and many nations. The reason for that lag is not hard to find: A politically powerful union of Caltrans employees (Professional Engineers in California Government or PECG) has fought California’s use of P3s in every possible way: in the legislature, during the state’s administrative procedures, in the courts and in the media.
At this point what California needs is a complete overhaul of our approach to financing and fulfilling infrastructure projects in the state. To move forward we need to bring together the best that the public and private sectors. And we need to get moving quickly. We must not ignore the need to fix our structurally deficient bridges and elevated roadways.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Cinquini & Passarino, Inc. Honored for the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit Top of Rail Survey AECOM Project
Continuing our series on the recent Engineering in Excellence Awards, a Merit Award was given to to Cinquini & Passarino, Inc. for the Sonoma ~ Marin Area Rail Transit, Top of Rail Survey. Cinquini & Passarino, Inc. was contracted by HDR, Inc. to perform a top of rail survey for the northerly 60 miles of the Sonoma ~ Marin Area Rail Transit corridor. Cinquini & Passarino, Inc. was the first surveyor in the United States to incorporate an Amberg GRP rail measuring instrument with RTK GPS connected to a virtual survey network to survey 60 miles. Performing the field work using conventional survey technology would have taken 90 days. Cinquini & Passarino, Inc. completed the field work in less than 10 days. Using the Amberg GRP, Cinquini & Passarino, Inc. was able to accurately collect the horizontal and vertical position of the existing rail, existing track stationing, existing rail gauge and superelevation as well as the railroad station of roadway, bridge abutments, and culvert crossings needed throughout the rail corridor. Incorporating the unique technology and creative approach to collect the top of rail information from a rolling platform, Cinquini & Passarino, Inc. was able to quickly and accurately collect all of the necessary rail data required by HDR, Inc. The survey was seamlessly incorporated into the project’s existing LiDAR survey.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
AECOM Technology Corporation Honored for the Mineta San Jose International Area Improvement Project
Several Merit Awards were granted to firms who entered ACEC California’s Engineering Excellence Awards.
A Merit Award was presented to AECOM Technology Corporation for its participation in the design and implementation of the Terminal Area Improvement Program on behalf of Granite Construction and Fentress Architects for the Mineta San José International Airport. AECOM acted as the lead Roadway Design Engineer for Granite Construction and as the Civil Engineer for Fentress Architects on the terminals as part of a design-build team. The Terminal Area Improvement Program is the largest public works project in the City of San José’s history and the first project the City has undertaken using the design-build delivery method. It is also currently the largest design-build airport project in the United States. AECOM’s roadway improvements are saving travel time, lowering emissions, and improving air quality. The team’s commitment to sustainable design resulted in one of the largest airport solar power installations in the U.S., and the first LEED Silver certified new passenger terminal west of the Mississippi River. AECOM and its design-build partnersdelivered this project three months ahead of schedule and $60 million underbudget.
A Merit Award was presented to AECOM Technology Corporation for its participation in the design and implementation of the Terminal Area Improvement Program on behalf of Granite Construction and Fentress Architects for the Mineta San José International Airport. AECOM acted as the lead Roadway Design Engineer for Granite Construction and as the Civil Engineer for Fentress Architects on the terminals as part of a design-build team. The Terminal Area Improvement Program is the largest public works project in the City of San José’s history and the first project the City has undertaken using the design-build delivery method. It is also currently the largest design-build airport project in the United States. AECOM’s roadway improvements are saving travel time, lowering emissions, and improving air quality. The team’s commitment to sustainable design resulted in one of the largest airport solar power installations in the U.S., and the first LEED Silver certified new passenger terminal west of the Mississippi River. AECOM and its design-build partnersdelivered this project three months ahead of schedule and $60 million underbudget.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Stantec Consulting Services Inc. Honored for the Research Support Facility for National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Continuing our series on the recent Engineering in Excellence Awards, an Honor Award was given to the San Francisco office of Stantec Consulting Services for the firm’s work on the Research Support Facility, National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. Now the nation’s largest building designed to achieve net-zero energy use—this 222,000 square-foot facility allows its 800 occupants to consume only the amount of energy generated by the renewable power on and near the building. An inspired and bold vision brought to reality by a progressive and dedicated Design-Build team, this building has set a truly remarkable standard and example for the industry. For more on the project:
http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/2010/10/101001integrated_design.asp
http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/2010/10/101001integrated_design.asp
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Once More into the Breach
Yet again the executive of the Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG), in the name of its membership, is off to the Appeals Court in an attempt to delay or derail a legitimate engineering project in which PECG believes the private sector plays too great a role and PECG members too little.
No surprise there. The "I'm All Right Jack" position consistently taken by the union representing state payroll engineers is one of the reasons that our state is in the state it is in.
PECG's litigious position might be understandable if its members' livelihoods were threatened by projects like the Presidio Parkway, but the fact is that more than 90 percent of the transportation design work in the state is in the hands of the public sector engineers already and there's little sign that is going to change. That's a far higher proportion of work going to the state payroll than any other state in the union, and any country in the world with the possible exception of China. As a result, our state engineer payroll is one of the largest in the world. It even grows during recessions!
So, because PECG can't come out and say that their jobs are put at risk by public private partnerships (P3s) like Presidio Parkway, they instead claim to oppose because they are protecting the taxpayer. Presidio Parkway, they claim, will place an undue burden on future taxpayers, even though studies have shown that this project will be less costly to build under the structure proposed by Caltrans and SFCTA, the agencies responsible for the project.
Mr. Blanning's apparent assertion that the Presidio Parkway P3 will become a taxpayer liability is even more disingenuous at a time when the state struggles with the very much larger question of how to pay one of its biggest unfunded liabilities: the more than $500 billion (and growing) in pension obligations demanded by Mr. Blanning's members and other state sector unions. If Mr. Blanning is really concerned about undue financial burdens placed on the taxpayer, he should be talking about that and not a legitimate project which, precisely because it is structured as a P3, will cost taxpayers less to build than a traditional state managed project and will be built on time to the highest standards.
No surprise there. The "I'm All Right Jack" position consistently taken by the union representing state payroll engineers is one of the reasons that our state is in the state it is in.
PECG's litigious position might be understandable if its members' livelihoods were threatened by projects like the Presidio Parkway, but the fact is that more than 90 percent of the transportation design work in the state is in the hands of the public sector engineers already and there's little sign that is going to change. That's a far higher proportion of work going to the state payroll than any other state in the union, and any country in the world with the possible exception of China. As a result, our state engineer payroll is one of the largest in the world. It even grows during recessions!
So, because PECG can't come out and say that their jobs are put at risk by public private partnerships (P3s) like Presidio Parkway, they instead claim to oppose because they are protecting the taxpayer. Presidio Parkway, they claim, will place an undue burden on future taxpayers, even though studies have shown that this project will be less costly to build under the structure proposed by Caltrans and SFCTA, the agencies responsible for the project.
Mr. Blanning's apparent assertion that the Presidio Parkway P3 will become a taxpayer liability is even more disingenuous at a time when the state struggles with the very much larger question of how to pay one of its biggest unfunded liabilities: the more than $500 billion (and growing) in pension obligations demanded by Mr. Blanning's members and other state sector unions. If Mr. Blanning is really concerned about undue financial burdens placed on the taxpayer, he should be talking about that and not a legitimate project which, precisely because it is structured as a P3, will cost taxpayers less to build than a traditional state managed project and will be built on time to the highest standards.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Parsons Corporation for the Bakersfield Wastewater Treatment Plant 3 Upgrade and Expansion
ACEC CA has recognized Parsons Corporation, as a finalist this year for ACEC California’s Engineering Excellence Awards for the Bakersfield Wastewater Treatment Plant 3 Upgrade and Expansion, addressing capacity (16 mgd to 32 mgd) and renewable energy and regulatory requirements including nitrogen removal for groundwater recharge.
Prior to the upgrades, Plant 3 continuously violated its effluent discharge permit. As the design engineer, Parsons incorporated several innovative, out-of-the-box process modifications, as well as cost- and energy-saving ideas such as an extensive and creative odor control for the zero odor plant, conversion of old secondary clarifiers to covered primary clarifiers, an integrated renewable energy system with biomass energy and PV solar energy for significant GHG reduction, and LEED-type buildings. This sustainable design earned more than $3.5 million in rebates/grants from PG&E and ARRA. PG&E estimates an annual operating cost savings of $556,000 for the upgraded plant. Completed on time with no recordable OSHA accidents, Plant 3 has outperformed all regulatory requirements.
Prior to the upgrades, Plant 3 continuously violated its effluent discharge permit. As the design engineer, Parsons incorporated several innovative, out-of-the-box process modifications, as well as cost- and energy-saving ideas such as an extensive and creative odor control for the zero odor plant, conversion of old secondary clarifiers to covered primary clarifiers, an integrated renewable energy system with biomass energy and PV solar energy for significant GHG reduction, and LEED-type buildings. This sustainable design earned more than $3.5 million in rebates/grants from PG&E and ARRA. PG&E estimates an annual operating cost savings of $556,000 for the upgraded plant. Completed on time with no recordable OSHA accidents, Plant 3 has outperformed all regulatory requirements.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Degenkolb Engineers for The Bowls Project
Inspired by ancient Babylonian amulets known as “demon bowls,” The Bowls Project is a unique multimedia art installation in which antiquity meets high-tech seismic design. It consists of 2 domes that sit atop a state-of-the-art base-isolated platform that Degenkolb Engineers designed for seismic safety. The project team worked tirelessly and donated time and material on this challenging pro bono project to ensure that it made its opening day. During its limited stay at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, thousands will enjoy the workshops and musical performances that take place inside the domes.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Safe Water in CoCo County Thanks to Carollo
ACEC CA has also recognized Walnut Creek, Calif.-based Carollo Engineers, Inc., as a finalist this year for ACEC California’s Engineering Excellence Awards for the Middle River Intake Project.
The Contra Costa Water District selected Carollo to serve as program manager for the planning, design, and construction of this $100 million project to improve delivered water quality for its 550,000 customers. The project, which included a setback levee, 250-cfs intake and pump station, and conveyance pipeline and tunnel, featured several innovative design and construction strategies. These included a state-of-the-art intake and pump station that balances intake flow and protects Delta fisheries, a detailed construction sequencing plan that allowed key project elements to be constructed within two critical in-water work windows, and creative construction techniques to build a conveyance pipeline and 90-foot-deep microtunnel in difficult soil conditions. The resulting project, which was completed on schedule and within budget, improves operational flexibility and provides a safe and reliable source of drinking water to Contra Costa Water District’s customers for years to come.
The Contra Costa Water District selected Carollo to serve as program manager for the planning, design, and construction of this $100 million project to improve delivered water quality for its 550,000 customers. The project, which included a setback levee, 250-cfs intake and pump station, and conveyance pipeline and tunnel, featured several innovative design and construction strategies. These included a state-of-the-art intake and pump station that balances intake flow and protects Delta fisheries, a detailed construction sequencing plan that allowed key project elements to be constructed within two critical in-water work windows, and creative construction techniques to build a conveyance pipeline and 90-foot-deep microtunnel in difficult soil conditions. The resulting project, which was completed on schedule and within budget, improves operational flexibility and provides a safe and reliable source of drinking water to Contra Costa Water District’s customers for years to come.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Eastside LA Transit Project on Budget, On Time with Zero Claims.
AECOM Technology Corporation was a finalist in ACEC California’s EEA Awards for its Gold Line Eastside Extension Project linking East LA to Downtown’s Little Tokyo district
AECOM Technology Corporation, in joint venture with Washington Group International, was the designer for this eight-station, 6-mile-long light rail project that brought rapid transit service. Combining the latest technology with unique, community-inspired art at each station, Metro’s first design-build project was hugely successful. Following 4 million work hours without a lost-time injury, the project came in on schedule, on budget, and with zero claims.
http://www.publicartinla.com/Metroart/GoldLine2/soto.html
AECOM Technology Corporation, in joint venture with Washington Group International, was the designer for this eight-station, 6-mile-long light rail project that brought rapid transit service. Combining the latest technology with unique, community-inspired art at each station, Metro’s first design-build project was hugely successful. Following 4 million work hours without a lost-time injury, the project came in on schedule, on budget, and with zero claims.
http://www.publicartinla.com/Metroart/GoldLine2/soto.html
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
California Engineering Projects: Excellent!
ACEC California’s Engineering Excellence Awards competition has grown in stature and size over the years. This year, no less than 46 major projects were considered for awards and in the next 22 weeks we’ll be profiling many of them.
The competition has become an effective tool for engineering and surveying firms to gain much-deserved recognition for projects that benefit local communities and California as a whole. Indeed, last year, a California project garnered the coveted national Grand Conceptor Award bestowed by ACEC’s national organization in Washington DC. HDR Engineering’s was a prime example of private sector initiative and expertise in action.
This year, ACEC California is proud to announce that the Golden State Award goes to T.Y. Lin International for the East Tie-In Structure, which is part of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Seismic Safety Projects. The Joint Venture of T.Y. Lin International/Moffat & Nichol was contracted by California Department of Transportation to design the 288 foot-long detour structure, a double deck steel truss, that was assembled 150 feet above ground and rolled into place over the course of a four-day long weekend. This temporary detour set the highest standard for engineering excellence and marks an unprecedented feat of design engineering and is the most significant realignment of traffic to the Bay Bridge to date.
The competition has become an effective tool for engineering and surveying firms to gain much-deserved recognition for projects that benefit local communities and California as a whole. Indeed, last year, a California project garnered the coveted national Grand Conceptor Award bestowed by ACEC’s national organization in Washington DC. HDR Engineering’s
This year, ACEC California is proud to announce that the Golden State Award goes to T.Y. Lin International for the East Tie-In Structure, which is part of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Seismic Safety Projects. The Joint Venture of T.Y. Lin International/Moffat & Nichol was contracted by California Department of Transportation to design the 288 foot-long detour structure, a double deck steel truss, that was assembled 150 feet above ground and rolled into place over the course of a four-day long weekend. This temporary detour set the highest standard for engineering excellence and marks an unprecedented feat of design engineering and is the most significant realignment of traffic to the Bay Bridge to date.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
ACEC California Executive Director Paul Meyer Interviewed in Fox Business Channel
ACEC California Executive Director Paul Meyer was interviewed on the Fox News Business Channel on 1/27/11 regarding the Public Engineers in California Government's (PECG) most recent court challenges on the Presidio Parkway project in San Francisco, helping to bring national awareness on this important issue.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
California Engineering Projects Demonstrate Innovation, Ingenuity and Pursuit of Excellence
Projects as diverse as seismic safety on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, the expansion of a wastewater treatment facility in Bakersfield and the extension of Los Angeles’ Metro Gold Line transit system are among this year’s Engineering Excellence Award winners announced today by the American Council of Engineering Companies of California (ACEC California). The EE Awards are bestowed every year to recognize excellence in engineering design. Projects are judged based on criteria such as technical complexity, uniqueness and originality, social and economic value and public awareness.
Last year, HDR Engineering took ACEC’s premier national honor, the Grand Conceptor award for its pioneering Advanced Energy Recovery System designed and installed at Oxnard, Calif.-based Gills Onions facility. The system converts onion waste such as peels, stalks and tops into biofuel which, in turn, powers the company’s adjacent processing plant.
This year’s California award winners are:
T.Y. Lin International and Moffat & Nichol received the highest honor, the Golden State Award, for a joint venture for the East Tie-In Structure, which is part of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Seismic Safety Projects. The Joint Venture of T.Y. Lin International/Moffat & Nichol was contracted by California Department of Transportation to design the 288 foot-long detour structure, a double deck steel truss, that was assembled 150 feet above ground and rolled into place over the course of a four-day long weekend This temporary detour sets the highest standard for engineering excellence and it marks an unprecedented feat of design engineering and is the most significant realignment of traffic to the Bay Bridge to date.
www.tylin.com
www.moffattnichol.com
AECOM Technology Corporation/Washington Group International: An Honor Award goes to the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority for its Gold Line Eastside Extension Project. AECOM Technology Corporation, in joint venture with Washington Group International, was the designer for this eight-station, 6-mile-long light rail project that brought rapid transit service to East Los Angeles. Combining the latest technology with unique, community-inspired art at each station, Metro’s first design-build project was hugely successful. Following 4 million work hours without a lost-time injury, the project came in on schedule, on budget, and with zero claims.
www.aecom.com
www.urscorp.com
Carollo Engineers, Inc.: An Honor Award goes to Carollo Engineers, Inc., for the Middle River Intake Project. The Contra Costa Water District selected Carollo to serve as program manager for the planning, design, and construction of this $100 million project to improve delivered water quality for its 550,000 customers. The project, which included a setback levee, 250-cfs intake and pump station, and conveyance pipeline and tunnel, featured several innovative design and construction strategies. These included a state-of-the-art intake and pump station that balances intake flow and protects Delta fisheries, a detailed construction sequencing plan that allowed key project elements to be constructed within two critical in-water work windows, and creative construction techniques to build a conveyance pipeline and 90-foot-deep microtunnel in difficult soil conditions. The resulting project, which was completed on schedule and within budget, improves operational flexibility and provides a safe and reliable source of drinking water to Contra Costa Water District’s customers for years to come.
www.carollo.com
Degenkolb Engineers: An Honor Award goes to Degenkolb Engineers for The Bowls Project. Inspired by ancient Babylonian amulets known as “demon bowls,” The Bowls Project is a unique multimedia art installation in which antiquity meets high-tech seismic design. It consists of 2 domes that sit atop a state-of-the-art base-isolated platform that Degenkolb Engineers designed for seismic safety. The project team worked tirelessly and donated time and material on this challenging pro bono project to ensure that it made its opening day. During its limited stay at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, thousands will enjoy the workshops and musical performances that take place inside the domes.
www.degenkolb.com
Malcolm Pirnie : An Honor Award is presented to Malcolm Pirnie for the Alvarado Water Treatment Plant Ozone Project. For over a decade Malcolm Pirnie has been the engineer for the City of San Diego to upgrade its 60-year-old Alvarado water treatment plant and expand its capacity from 120 to 200 million gallons a day. In this last expansion phase, state-of-the-art ozonation facilities replaced chlorine as the primary disinfectant enabling the plant to utilize changing blends of source waters and continue to meet federal drinking water regulations, and ultimately supplying some 650,000 customers with safer and better tasting drinking water. Innovative approaches associated with pumping, disinfection transitions during power failures and, the ozone production control system won the enthusiastic support of plant operators and regulators.
www.pirnie.com
Parsons : An Honor Award goes to Parsons Corporation for the Bakersfield Wastewater Treatment Plant 3 Upgrade and Expansion, addressing capacity (16 mgd to 32 mgd) and renewable energy and regulatory requirements including nitrogen removal for groundwater recharge. Prior to the upgrades, Plant 3 continuously violated its effluent discharge permit. As the design engineer, Parsons incorporated several innovative, out-of-the-box process modifications, as well as cost- and energy-saving ideas such as an extensive and creative odor control for the zero odor plant, conversion of old secondary clarifiers to covered primary clarifiers, an integrated renewable energy system with biomass energy and PV solar energy for significant GHG reduction, and LEED-type buildings. This sustainable design earned more than $3.5 million in rebates/grants from PG&E and ARRA. PG&E estimates an annual operating cost savings of $556,000 for the upgraded plant. Completed on time with no recordable OSHA accidents, Plant 3 has outperformed all regulatory requirements.
www.parsons.com
Stantec Consulting Services Inc. : An Honor Award goes to Stantec for their work on the research Support Facility, National renewable energy Laboratory in golden, Colorado. Now the nation’s largest building designed to achieve net-zero energy use—this 222,000 square-foot facility allows its 800 occupants to consume only the amount of energy generated by the renewable power on and near the building. An inspired and bold vision brought to reality by a progressive and dedicated Design-Build team, this building has set a truly remarkable standard and example for the industry.
www.stantec.com
“The projects receiving awards this year highlight some of the innovative and experienced approaches taken by private sector companies to solve engineering challenges in both the private and public sectors in California,,” said Paul Meyer, executive director of ACEC-California.
The ACEC California award winners will be honored at a banquet to be held February 1, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency in Sacramento. The Golden State winners will be entered into the national awards for the organization, which will be announced in April.
Last year, HDR Engineering took ACEC’s premier national honor, the Grand Conceptor award for its pioneering Advanced Energy Recovery System designed and installed at Oxnard, Calif.-based Gills Onions facility. The system converts onion waste such as peels, stalks and tops into biofuel which, in turn, powers the company’s adjacent processing plant.
This year’s California award winners are:
T.Y. Lin International and Moffat & Nichol received the highest honor, the Golden State Award, for a joint venture for the East Tie-In Structure, which is part of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Seismic Safety Projects. The Joint Venture of T.Y. Lin International/Moffat & Nichol was contracted by California Department of Transportation to design the 288 foot-long detour structure, a double deck steel truss, that was assembled 150 feet above ground and rolled into place over the course of a four-day long weekend This temporary detour sets the highest standard for engineering excellence and it marks an unprecedented feat of design engineering and is the most significant realignment of traffic to the Bay Bridge to date.
www.tylin.com
www.moffattnichol.com
AECOM Technology Corporation/Washington Group International: An Honor Award goes to the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority for its Gold Line Eastside Extension Project. AECOM Technology Corporation, in joint venture with Washington Group International, was the designer for this eight-station, 6-mile-long light rail project that brought rapid transit service to East Los Angeles. Combining the latest technology with unique, community-inspired art at each station, Metro’s first design-build project was hugely successful. Following 4 million work hours without a lost-time injury, the project came in on schedule, on budget, and with zero claims.
www.aecom.com
www.urscorp.com
Carollo Engineers, Inc.: An Honor Award goes to Carollo Engineers, Inc., for the Middle River Intake Project. The Contra Costa Water District selected Carollo to serve as program manager for the planning, design, and construction of this $100 million project to improve delivered water quality for its 550,000 customers. The project, which included a setback levee, 250-cfs intake and pump station, and conveyance pipeline and tunnel, featured several innovative design and construction strategies. These included a state-of-the-art intake and pump station that balances intake flow and protects Delta fisheries, a detailed construction sequencing plan that allowed key project elements to be constructed within two critical in-water work windows, and creative construction techniques to build a conveyance pipeline and 90-foot-deep microtunnel in difficult soil conditions. The resulting project, which was completed on schedule and within budget, improves operational flexibility and provides a safe and reliable source of drinking water to Contra Costa Water District’s customers for years to come.
www.carollo.com
Degenkolb Engineers: An Honor Award goes to Degenkolb Engineers for The Bowls Project. Inspired by ancient Babylonian amulets known as “demon bowls,” The Bowls Project is a unique multimedia art installation in which antiquity meets high-tech seismic design. It consists of 2 domes that sit atop a state-of-the-art base-isolated platform that Degenkolb Engineers designed for seismic safety. The project team worked tirelessly and donated time and material on this challenging pro bono project to ensure that it made its opening day. During its limited stay at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, thousands will enjoy the workshops and musical performances that take place inside the domes.
www.degenkolb.com
Malcolm Pirnie : An Honor Award is presented to Malcolm Pirnie for the Alvarado Water Treatment Plant Ozone Project. For over a decade Malcolm Pirnie has been the engineer for the City of San Diego to upgrade its 60-year-old Alvarado water treatment plant and expand its capacity from 120 to 200 million gallons a day. In this last expansion phase, state-of-the-art ozonation facilities replaced chlorine as the primary disinfectant enabling the plant to utilize changing blends of source waters and continue to meet federal drinking water regulations, and ultimately supplying some 650,000 customers with safer and better tasting drinking water. Innovative approaches associated with pumping, disinfection transitions during power failures and, the ozone production control system won the enthusiastic support of plant operators and regulators.
www.pirnie.com
Parsons : An Honor Award goes to Parsons Corporation for the Bakersfield Wastewater Treatment Plant 3 Upgrade and Expansion, addressing capacity (16 mgd to 32 mgd) and renewable energy and regulatory requirements including nitrogen removal for groundwater recharge. Prior to the upgrades, Plant 3 continuously violated its effluent discharge permit. As the design engineer, Parsons incorporated several innovative, out-of-the-box process modifications, as well as cost- and energy-saving ideas such as an extensive and creative odor control for the zero odor plant, conversion of old secondary clarifiers to covered primary clarifiers, an integrated renewable energy system with biomass energy and PV solar energy for significant GHG reduction, and LEED-type buildings. This sustainable design earned more than $3.5 million in rebates/grants from PG&E and ARRA. PG&E estimates an annual operating cost savings of $556,000 for the upgraded plant. Completed on time with no recordable OSHA accidents, Plant 3 has outperformed all regulatory requirements.
www.parsons.com
Stantec Consulting Services Inc. : An Honor Award goes to Stantec for their work on the research Support Facility, National renewable energy Laboratory in golden, Colorado. Now the nation’s largest building designed to achieve net-zero energy use—this 222,000 square-foot facility allows its 800 occupants to consume only the amount of energy generated by the renewable power on and near the building. An inspired and bold vision brought to reality by a progressive and dedicated Design-Build team, this building has set a truly remarkable standard and example for the industry.
www.stantec.com
“The projects receiving awards this year highlight some of the innovative and experienced approaches taken by private sector companies to solve engineering challenges in both the private and public sectors in California,,” said Paul Meyer, executive director of ACEC-California.
The ACEC California award winners will be honored at a banquet to be held February 1, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency in Sacramento. The Golden State winners will be entered into the national awards for the organization, which will be announced in April.
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