Otak Blog

After hours and hours of studying, six Otakians passed the rigorous Professional Engineering exam. Congratulations to our newest PEs: Ashley Cantlon, Grant Evenhus, Ian Machan, Natalie Martinkus, Don Poletski, and Melissa Robelo.

Otak’s parking lot was overtaken by the American Red Cross Blood Mobile today. Otak staff gathers about three times a year to donate blood. From each pint of blood donated, three people benefit. Otakians participated in the blood drive, donating a total of 19 pints. Donors walked away with cookies, bandaged arms, and most importantly a sense that their contribution will help someone in need.

Otak received a 2009 ACEC Engineering Excellence Bronze Award for our Old Redmond Road Improvements project for the City of Redmond, Washington. The award was received under the category of “Exceeding Client/Owner Needs”.

ACEC (American Council of Engineering Companies) Oregon has an annual design competition that recognizes engineering achievements in the A/E industry throughout Oregon and SW Washington. Otak was selected for the following four Honor Awards:

• Diamond Creek Bridge for Douglas County Public Works
• OHSU Stormwater Management Plan for Oregon Health & Science University
• Klineline Bridge and Salmon Creek Restoration for Clark County Public Works
   (consultant to Kramer-Gehlen & Associates, Inc.)
• West Vancouver Freight Access Project, Schedule 1 for Port of Vancouver, USA
   (consultant to David Evans and Associates, Inc.)

It is an honor to have the opportunity for Otak key staff to work on exciting and rewarding projects!

Otak’s water resources engineers, as a subconsultant to 2KS Consulting, were hired to help the City of Yakima determine the feasibility of turning the City-owned Yakima Valley Transit Bridge into a pedestrian bridge over the Naches River. Once converted, this 324-foot bridge will allow commuting and recreation access for cyclists and pedestrians to the regional William O’Douglas Trail System via the Yakima Greenway. Scour analyses were completed by Otak to determine the effectiveness of the existing rip-rap at protecting the piers from severe scour. Recommendations included a plan of action for monitoring and bridge closures during high flows and proper rip-rap sizing and configuration.