Maximizing Partnership Value with DOTs

Retirements and hiring slowdowns, along with funding opportunities from the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA), mean Departments of Transportation (DOTs) need consultants with experience in a variety of areas more than ever. “DOTs now bring consultants in for anything from project management to technical subject matter experts for environmental, engineering, and geotechnical work,” says Janet Keiser, P.E., vice president and national director for Terracon’s Transportation and Infrastructure.

Professionals in Terracon offices across the country supplement state DOT teams to deliver projects from site selection all the way through construction.

Speeding site selection

Understanding potential environmental factors and geotechnical conditions during site selection can minimize risk and avoid costly delays later. Terracon’s Stage1 digital site analysis tool uses proprietary historical data and public and private databases to anticipate constraints and help determine project site suitability. “I liked the Stage1 report for the Boise DOT pipeline replacement project,” said Martin Calzada, senior engineer for Williams Company. “It provided the level of data that I needed at the time without the need to go through a full geotech investigation and report.”

Managing environmental complexity

Navigating state and federal environmental regulations can be complex and time-consuming. Terracon’s environmental professionals work closely with in-house DOT teams throughout the process, drawing on strong relationships with officials at agencies like the state departments of environmental protection, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Because we’ve fostered these relationships, the agencies trust us,” says Kevin Starner, environmental department manager for Terracon in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. “Sometimes the mission of the DOT — to build roads and bridges — is at odds with agencies’ mission to protect environmental resources. A consultant with the ability to negotiate mitigation commitments with the agencies is a very powerful tool.”

A dedicated environmental partner can also help identify cost and schedule implications. In one instance, when a DOT discovered that a park next to a bridge project had federal grant funding, they redesigned the project to move the bridge away from the park. Money, time, and effort may have been saved by working with consultants experienced with federal grant resources, says Starner. “Very, very rarely are there true environmental deal-breakers in a project,” he says. “An experienced team can usually get you through it.”

Experienced, certified materials teams

During construction, DOTs win with experienced field teams, working with contractors and state and federal agencies, and managing projects. “Terracon has projects and processes to train people to become safe and proficient at what they do,” says Rob Belisle, manager of regional materials services in Raleigh, North Carolina. “They gain certifications needed for DOT work so when the DOTs have needs, we have experienced, certified folks who know what they’re doing.”

Speed of data collection and reporting are also critical. To provide real-time materials testing and results for the North Carolina Department of Transportation and other DOT clients, Terracon offers GIS-based TARGETID technology. It places materials testing results on an interactive map of the project, so it’s easy see what’s happening anywhere on the project site and make decisions quickly to keep schedules on track.

Individual DOTs’ needs vary widely depending on the state’s projects, government, climate, and population … not to mention the individual DOT’s staffing and capabilities. With more than 175 offices serving all 50 states, Terracon has experts in site selection, environmental services, materials services, geotechnical services, geophysical services, and inspection services to see a project through from scoping to post-construction maintenance and monitoring.