From the Editor: It’s Time to Think About More Than Financial Costs
As I scanned the Table of Contents for this October 2019 issue of Informed Infrastructure, I noticed the article title “Brick Sewer Rehabilitation in Nation’s Capital.” My first thought was that it didn’t read “Brick Sewer Replacement.” I’m sure that cost was a major (and perhaps only) factor in the decision to rehabilitate rather than replace. But I also thought that we’ve approached the time when cost should only be one of many factors in such decisions. As we continue to engineer our way int...
ReEngineering the Engineer: A Tale of Two Projects
Every now and then, you get a project that just seems to run into headwinds no matter which direction you turn. This latest one, however, came at a time when we were closing out our Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) project. The difference between the two projects couldn’t have been more striking and left us longing for a better way to work together to build our buildings. The Worst of Times The first project was a relatively simple two-office building with an outdoor open-air covered stor...
Code Update: ACI 318-19: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete
The American Concrete Institute (ACI) recently published “ACI 318-19 Building Code for Structural Concrete.” ACI 318 includes the requirements for design and construction of structural concrete that are necessary to ensure public health and safety. This edition of ACI 318 is the first to be published since the format of ACI 318 was reorganized in 2014, and it’s anticipated that it will be referenced in the 2021 International Building Code (IBC). Important Updates Now in full color with 3D ill...
Executive Corner: Do the Valuation Multiples You’re Using Actually Apply to Your Firm?
Firm owners often rely on pricing multiples to arrive at a ballpark estimate of their firm value. We regularly hear from them that they generally rely on data points from transactions that either they or their peers at other firms had been part of in the past relied, or on data published in our “A/E Business Valuation and M&A Transaction Study.” But many also inquire about what the specific multiples are that they should be relying on, and as part of my response to these inquiries, I counter by...
Thoughts From Engineers: When a Deep Tunnel Isn’t Enough: Milwaukee Wrestles with Combined Sewer Overflows
The City of Milwaukee was on the cusp of a victory lap. After several expansions to the Deep Tunnel storage system and other significant district-wide improvements to grey and green infrastructure, Milwaukee appeared more prepared than ever for the “mother of all rain events” to strike. The city’s extensive capital investments and long-term planning initiatives seemed to have paid off: combined sewer overflows (CSOs) were at a near-record low. Milwaukee appeared to be on a trajectory to move fr...
From the Editor: ‘Smart’ Solutions In Every Issue
When I started working as a civil engineer, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was in its infancy. The EPA began its work in December 1970, but the procedures and policies didn’t really affect our work for a few years. After they were in place, however, it changed the way we did business. The new EPA policies established requirements of additional justification for the need of any project. They also created the need for new expertise. At first, they seemed a burden, but soon it became cl...
ReEngineering the Engineer: What Am I Missing?
Historically, the kickoff keynotes for the NASCC Steel Conference are a must-see, and the 2019 conference in St. Louis was no exception. Orzan Varol presented the keynote this year titled “The Power of Contrarian Thinking.” The gist of the presentation was the need to innovate to stay ahead of the game in today’s world. Although the discussion revolved around all types of different industries, the lessons presented had obvious application to the steel design, detailing and fabrication businesses...
Infrastructure Outlook: Repairing and/or Replacing Bridges in the U.S. Will Open Up Thousands of Contracting Opportunities in 2019
A few motorists—those who are aware of America’s bridge conditions—occasionally are selective about the bridges they cross. Millions of other motorists, however, are unaware of the fact that government leaders nationwide are scrambling to find funds to repair old bridges throughout the United States. A recent report from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association identifies more than 47,000 U.S. bridges that are in poor condition and in dire need of repairs. “Structurally unsound...
Project Management Insights: Don’t Keep Falling for These Project-Management Myths
In an industry that claims innovation and technology are necessary, welcomed and respected, it’s counter-intuitive and unprogressive to hold onto myths—especially regarding project management. Perhaps you or a colleague are steadfast in agreement of the following common myths; I’m offering an alternative viewpoint for consideration and change. Myth: Clients only want to work with a principal of the firm. I often see firm leaders stall the promotion of team members to project manager (PM) or pr...
Code Update: SuRe: The Standard for Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure
Infrastructure is a key component of a functioning economy and fundamental to the livelihoods of billions of people throughout the world. Infrastructure supports social and economic systems by enabling access to critical services such as provision of water, health and education; increasing connectivity among cities through roads and other means of transport; and providing housing to the whole population. Infrastructure is developed to last for decades, and a large part of the infrastructure tha...
Stormwater Interview with Robert Page, P.E., Vice President, HNTB
Santa Barbara County North Branch Jail Expansion
February Issue 2026
