We believe in helping to build the workforce of the future.
WSB recently launched a series of collectible career cards to introduce young boys and girls to the extraordinary world of engineering and STEM career possibilities. Each career card offers a glimpse into the lives of six characters; Edie the Engineer, Sam the Scientist, Sophie the Surveyor, Patrick the Planner, Izzy the Inspector, and Erik the Engineer. Edie and her friends have unique traits and career paths but they all share a common goal that drives them to do their best: The future is ours for the making.
“I am excited to tell you about some of my friends. Years ago, we had big dreams for the future. Our entire team at WSB once started off as curious kids with different interests and skills. We’ve all taken unique journeys, but our paths have led us here – where we work together to build and protect many of the places you visit every day. We’re excited to share our experiences with you and can’t wait to see the path you take. Maybe someday you’ll join us too.” – Edie, WSB Engineer
Road reconstruction projects
affect residents of all cities, from large metropolitan areas to small rural centers.
While residents are very familiar with the sight of bright orange cones and
excavating machines that are shown for a few months in the summer, few know the
full amount of work that goes into improving roads and public utilities the
rest of the year. Here is a season by season breakdown of how a road
reconstruction project comes to life:
Summer/Fall
The summer/fall season is when work on a specific project typically begins for the upcoming construction season, with the start of preliminary design. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, preliminary design can begin months or even years earlier than this time frame.
The preliminary design begins by collecting extensive information on the existing conditions of the public infrastructure in the project area. This can be done through a topographic survey of the area, taking geotechnical readings on the materials in the area, and even reviewing asset management systems or old plan sets for the project area.
Based on the information gathered, the project team (typically consisting of transportation and municipal engineers) can identify improvements needed within the project area. The team then provides a preliminary overview of proposed improvements to the project owners, private utility companies such as gas or electric that could be impacted, residents, business owners and other stakeholders in the project area. At this point, public engagement becomes critical to connect with the owners, companies, and residents to solicit feedback on the proposed improvements and gather additional information on existing conditions. This feedback can be achieved through neighborhood meetings, showcasing visualizations, and conducting community surveys.
After gathering
feedback, the project team presents the proposed infrastructure improvements along
with estimates on costs and schedule to the project owners, and, if the project
is still supported, begins final design.
Fall/Winter
The fall/winter season is dedicated to final design of the project. The team (supported by site & landscape designers, water resource engineers and wastewater engineers) completes final design documents that specialists in infrastructure construction techniques will use build the project. These documents will complete the city’s vision for the project while ensuring it is properly engineered and safe for residents. The design includes not only the pavement that residents drive on, but also all of the public utilities in the project area, such as storm sewer, sanitary sewer and watermain.
During this time, the project will also be reviewed by permitting agencies that have jurisdiction over certain aspects of the project. These agencies, such as a county or state transportation agency, may have jurisdiction over neighboring roads. Other agencies, like a state departments of natural resources, may review the project for environmental regulations within the project area.
Once the plans and specifications are complete, the project team will share the finished design documents with the project owner. The project is then authorized to be bid for construction.
Winter/Spring
The spring season is
used to bid the project and prepare for construction. After the project is authorized
to be bid, a notice goes out to contractors notifying them of the project and
providing them access to the plans and specifications. If a contractor is
interested in constructing the project, they submit a set of documents to the
project owner. These documents include insurance information, proof of bonds,
and their bid of how much they believe it will cost to construct the project.
At an arranged time, a contractor will be selected from those that submitted a
bid.
Once a contractor has been selected, project management and construction administration begins. Preliminary construction meetings are held with the project owners, the project team, and other stakeholders, to prepare for the upcoming construction of the project.
Spring/Summer
After the preliminary and final designs are complete, construction -the most visible stage of a project – can begin during the spring/summer season. During this time, the project team monitors contractor progress on the project, and ensures that the construction is being done according to the plans and specifications that were prepared in the fall/winter. This monitoring consists of a variety of activities that include construction material testing, environmental compliance, and more.
Because the winter season is often the longest in the Midwest, the time frame for construction is extremely short. To protect the final product, some projects require contractors to wait until after winter to finish minor paving and restoration work during the following spring/summer season.
Once all of the work is complete and accepted by the project owner, the contract is finalized and closed out. Usually a maintenance period is required of the contractor, during which time they are responsible to address any workmanship or materials defects which are identified following close out.
At this point, the project is considered complete. The project owner is responsible for ongoing maintenance and repair of the infrastructure through their Public Works Department. The new seasonal cycle begins with the next project that was prioritized or identified within that community’s Capital Improvement Plan or similar planning document. Learn about how WSB can assist your community with any or all of these project cycles by visiting https://www.wsbeng.com/expertise/community/ or clicking on any of the linked services above.
Brandon is a Graduate Engineer with WSB and serves as the assistant city engineer for the City of Sunfish Lake, MN. He is experienced with reviewing developer and residential land development plans and management of cities’ Municipal State Aid Systems (MSAS) through the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).
John Gerlach, Director of Pipeline Field Operations, WSB
Learn how inspections and monitoring can keep your utilities running smoothly and safely.
Whether filled with natural gas to fuel and heat homes and
businesses or transporting liquid fuels from one location to another, most
communities have miles of pipes embedded underground with other critical
infrastructure. There’s a misconception that these lines are primarily located
in remote areas. In reality, pipeline infrastructure can be found beneath our
roadways and sidewalks or near homes, businesses, landmarks, parks and other
natural resources. Pipeline infrastructure can range from large, high-pressure
steel lines that serve cities and powerplants, to small plastic lines, used to
transport gas from the street to your home or place or business. These complex
networks require expertise to ensure the safety of people and the environment,
as well as reliable access to the fuels we need to enjoy hot showers, drive to
work and keep the lights on.
With increasing federal regulatory standards, now is the
time to become more focused on pipeline integrity and safety. WSB offers
inspections that help utilities and cities understand the condition of their
infrastructure, reduce costly and inefficient repairs, improve safety and
maintain the long-term integrity of these important pipelines.
Why hire a third-party inspector?
Pipeline inspectors can add value and security to any
project near utility lines. Most commonly, inspectors are hired to oversee the
contractors working on infrastructure projects such as roadway improvements or
utility replacements. When these projects interfere with the natural gas
system, pipeline inspectors who can recognize and mitigate potential risks are
invaluable.
Third-party experts can also be utilized to verify the
results of other inspections, like performing audits that identify pipeline
locations before a project is started. A second opinion can identify costly
errors before the damage is done. In our experience, an audit of locate work
finds mistakes roughly 30% of the time.
A new regulatory environment
Investigations into high-profile pipeline releases over the
past decade have prompted new regulatory recommendations and standards. Pipeline
releases can have devasting consequences to people and the environment
including fatalities, injuries, forced evacuation and damage to properties and
natural resources. In many cases, regulators – like the Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board –
require independent, third-party inspections of pipelines and pipeline
projects.
Technology advantage
New technologies have made evaluating pipeline integrity
more efficient. Rather than digging up pipelines under a densely populated area
to check for deterioration, a device can be sent through the line that shows anomalies
like corrosion and damage from past construction. Most pipes should be replaced
every 15 to 20 years. Since pipeline replacement projects are typically planned
in coordination with other infrastructure improvements, this type of check can
help communities identify which projects should be prioritized first.
WSB also offers real-time reporting on pipeline status
through an ArcGIS platform. This technology can detect an increase in pressure
or corrosion on the line and send notifications to technicians in the field.
At first glance, hiring an outside expert to ensure compliance and verify accuracy can appear costly. In the end, pipeline inspectors can make your project run smoothly, reduce issues in the field and reduce the risk of releases, accidents and other safety hazards. Reach out to WSB’s utility and pipeline experts today to learn more.
John Gerlach is a Director of Pipeline Field Operations with more than 30 years of experience. His expertise extends to pipeline design, construction inspection and safety and risk management.
Between the increased number of travelers and the numerous road construction projects underway this summer, the Fourth of July is one of the most dangerous times to be on the roads in Minnesota. This year, there will be 70 different construction projects happening over the holiday, several of which are occurring on major highways from I-35W to I-94.
As a Director of Safety and Risk Management at WSB, it’s my job to ensure that we’re doing everything we can to keep drivers, their passengers and road crews safe when moving through a zone where our surveyors and engineers are working, from signage and lights to proper barricading. But there’s plenty you can do too, to ensure the safety of your family and those around you as you hit the road for the holiday.
Follow these tips
Make sure your vehicle can go the distance. Swimsuit? Check. Sunscreen? Double check. You may have nailed your packing list, but your vehicle needs just as much attention. Make sure your tire pressure and tread are up to par, and that your spare tire is looking good too. And don’t forget to keep a break-down/emergency kit handy as well! This includes a jack and tools for any flats or blow outs that may occur.
Plan ahead. Knowing whether there is road construction on your route is important. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) posts all construction projects on its website, and most map applications should be up to date with the latest detours and lane closures.
Stay alert. Don’t count on coffee to keep you vigilant while driving. You may be itching to get to your destination, but make sure you take regular breaks and get at least eight hours of sleep before hitting the road.
Adjust your speed. Speed is the number one cause of accidents and fatalities in construction zones. Move over for parked emergency or maintenance vehicles, and slow down to 20-miles-per-hour when passing.
Practice defensive driving. It may take a bit of a driver’s ed refresh, but defensive driving is key. Accidents in construction zones are often a result of drivers having little or no reaction time, leading to rear-end collisions. Avoid distractions, cell phones or passengers who are taking your attention from the roadway. Allow plenty of stopping distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you, a minimum of two car lengths.
Do NOT drive impaired. It seems obvious but driving while under the influence is a leading cause of death in construction zones, second only to speed. If you choose to indulge on your holiday travels, be sure to have a designated driver.
As we all look forward to the fun this holiday will bring, keep these tips in mind. This simple list could be the difference between getting to the fun safely, and not getting there at all.
Jason Daugherty is the Director of Safety and Risk Management on our construction team with over 20 years of experience performing safety management in construction, pipeline, aviation, DOT, environmental, and incident and accident investigation.
