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Expertise: Transportation

Boones Ferry Corridor

With the primary focus of enhancing the roadway while making it more pedestrian and bicycle friendly, improvements along Boones Ferry Corridor were also designed to account for identified ADA deficiencies. As part of the Tualatin Moving Forward bond program, Otak served as the lead design engineer for improvements to this 2-mile corridor in Western Oregon.

A Practical ADA-Focused Design for Pedestrian and Bicycle-Friendly Corridor Improvements

While avoiding a full construction of Boones Ferry Road, the project provides practical, cost effective solutions to address bike and pedestrian deficiencies found scattered throughout the corridor. Initial analysis found gaps in bike lanes, deteriorated asphalt paths, and non-compliant curb ramps along the corridor that stretches south from Tualatin Sherwood Road to Norwood Road. Along with road widening to provide continuous bike lanes and sidewalk improvements, the multi-phase project also makes improvements to greenway paths, pavement, stormwater conveyance, traffic signals, signing, striping, and landscape. The final design of the project also retrofits curb ramp to bring existing facilities up to current ADA standards. In total, ramps are replaced at 33 corners, including four signalized intersections with pedestrian push button improvements. To further enhance pedestrian safety, the design adds two pedestrian activated rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) as well as pedestrian lighting along a greenway path adjacent to Boones Ferry Road. The design of the project overcame challenges including steep slopes for ramps, right-of-way constraints, and numerous utility conflicts.

Green Line – Swift Bus Rapid Transit

In expanding access to Washington State’s first Swift bus rapid transit (BRT) system, the Green Line adds greater connectivity to the region across 33 station sites. Otak led design and permitting while also providing construction engineering support for new transit platforms, the installation of custom shelters, and other associated transit improvements.

Designing Expanded Public Transit Infrastructure while Improving Corridor Safety

Spanning 12 miles, the Community Transit Green Line BRT extends from the Canyon Park Park-and-Ride on I-405 to the new Seaway Transit Center, located across from the Boeing Everett site. The project also included construction of roadway and signal improvements at three locations to improve transit reliability and safety in the corridor, including widening improvements for queue bypass lanes. Roadway improvements required retaining walls to minimize property and environmental impacts at several locations, including the relocation and improvement of the Interurban Trail. Otak’s efforts included coordination and obtaining site and shelter design approvals from WSDOT, Snohomish County, and the cities of Bothell, Mill Creek, and Everett; preparation of NEPA documentation, wetland mitigation design and permitting, preparation of PS&E to meet FTA/FHWA requirements, utility coordination, and ADA compliance.

Yellowstone National Park Canyon Rim Trails and Overlooks

To enhance the visitor experience and create future stewards of Yellowstone National Park, this much-needed restoration made improvements to the deteriorating north and south rim trails and overlooks, which wrap the Canyon Rim from Inspiration Point to Artist Point.

Restoring Historic National Park Features and Enhancing Visitor Experiences

The multi-phase project included design of a new trail system and overlooks as well as the rehabilitation of historic elements at Inspiration Point. In enhancing the Canyon Rim Trail system, the design also created new trails, overlooks, and parking improvements at the Brink of the Upper Falls and Uncle Tom’s Point. The design materials and features reflect the rustic design style synonymous with Yellowstone National Park. Design solutions include re-routing trails away from dangerous areas and installing stone and boulder barriers; connecting historic overlooks with new walkways; creating safe, accessible viewing areas with new wayfinding and informational signage; constructing new visitor pavilions and kiosks with peeled logs and stone masonry columns; and using natural materials to integrate the infrastructure into the spires and canyon cliffs.

A Coffee with… Otak Engineer Sean Clark

Posted on by Otak Staff

Otak is celebrating Engineers Week by sitting down for coffee with Sean Clark, senior project manager and passionate engineer! Check out the video and the transcription below:

“My name is Sean Clark, and I’m a structural engineer.”

What is your role on the structural team?

“I work a lot with architects. I also work a lot with the civil department, and water and natural resources – we do a whole lot of retaining walls on the side of roads, so I work with the transportation department as well.”

“The structure is basically anything in the built environment, and that encompasses different people at Otak, so it’s a wide variety.”

What excites you about the field of engineering?

“What excites me the most I think is the amount of technology and new types of construction. I get really excited when somebody’s like, ‘Ooh, we can use titanium rods to strengthen this girder.’ You know, something different.”

“Elegance in design is efficiency, you know? So, I take pride in being able to give an elegant design to somebody’s problem. One of the interesting ones that I’ve got recently is that we’re doing a rain shed in Hawaii. So, one – it’s Hawaii, and two – the seismic there is just crazy, it’s built on the side of a volcano. It’s really interesting to see how my part is just structures, but to get the water to all these people involves a lot of different disciplines.”

What do you enjoy most about being an engineer?

“I think what I love about engineering is that every day I create. It takes a lot of imagination, it takes a lot of work, it takes a lot of knowledge, but there’s just nothing better.”

ACEC Oregon Award Winners 2024

Otak is proud to announce some recent accolades from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Oregon. The ACEC Oregon Engineering Excellence Awards celebrate the best of the best in the engineering world, acknowledging firms that demonstrate innovation, technical expertise, and a commitment to delivering exceptional projects.

View the project page for each award winner below and be sure to watch the videos that accompany them for direct insight into what makes each project special.

Cedar Crossing at Johnson Creek – Small Project Award

Check out how Otak’s approach to stream restoration design returned a critical juncture of Johnson Creek at Cedar Crossing to it’s natural features, ensuring that one of the last creeks where salmon actively spawn in Portland, OR is viable for generations to come.

Ash Creek (F Street) Bridge – Honor Award

See how Otak involved the community of Independence, OR to replace an ailing bridge on Ash Creek, providing critical infrastructure through quality survey, geotechnical, roadway, bridge, hydraulic analysis, and environmental permitting work.

Three Otakians Honored as DJC Women of Vision!

In an inspiring celebration of achievement and excellence, Saretta Tillmaand, Amanda Owings, and Margaret Steinhilber – three remarkable women from Otak – have been honored with Women of Vision accolades by the Daily Journal of Commerce (DJC) Oregon!

The recognition adds to a growing list over the past several years of Otak people to receive the award:

  • 2022 – Millicent Williams
  • 2021 – Tanya Boyer, Rachel Laura, Cathy Kraus
  • 2020 – Serah Breakstone, Tina Keller, Angela Khosa-Marangwanda
  • 2019 – Ashley Cantlon, Amy Scheckla-Cox, Teresa Huntsinger

Group photo at the 2023 Women of Vision Award ceremony.

What is the DJC Women of Vision Program?

Every year, the DJC Oregon honors a select group of nominated women for their contributions to the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction – allowing them to set an example for others in the field and position them leaders in the broader communities we all serve. This year’s 46 Women of Vision honorees were project managers, CEOs, principals, company founders and more – all active in creating opportunities for the future generation of women in our industry.

Who are the Honorees?

Amanda Owings – Business Unit Leader of Transportation

Image of Amanda Owings, speaking during the Women of Vision Event 2023.

For more than 20 years, Amanda has worked within all facets of transportation, from traffic signal review to accessible ramp designs. She now draws on that experience to design unique transportation solutions that are centered around the impact they have on existing systems and the broader communities her projects aim to service. Amanda sees value in cultivating relationships within her team and has taken opportunities such as treating her team to a local soccer game to facilitate teambuilding and comradery. She takes her role in leadership to heart and understands that building a quality team requires work and dedication beyond the day to day operations.

“I’m honored to have served the institutions I have, and thank you to Otak for believing in me since the beginning, for nominating these other deserving women and inspiring me on my journey.”

– Amanda Owings

 

Saretta Tillmaand – Senior Project Architect

Image of Saretta Tillmaand, speaking during the Women of Vision Event 2023.

Saretta is task oriented and skilled Project Architect who enjoys figuring out what tasks need to be done in what order to create the greatest efficiency. She excels at aligning client wants with available space and finding new materials and technology to make construction more efficient and sustainable.  An ardent believer in community involvement and uplifting women in the field – she’s described as a trailblazer in the project architect’s group at Otak. She volunteers with Habitat For Humanity and served as a lead advocate for the U.S. Green Building Council’s operations within our firm.

“I’d like to thank my coworkers for seeing and acknowledging the work that I do. I’m often behind the scenes, so this honor is a testament to the importance of visibility.”

– Saretta Tillmaand

 

Margaret Steinhilber – Senior Project Architect

Image of Margaret Steinhilber, accepting her Women of Vision Event 2023 award.

Margaret is a Senior Project Architect with a calm head and solid communication skills. At Otak, she works with the design team from concept phase through construction documents, coordinating with clients and consultants throughout the process. She continues to be involved through the construction phase, providing observation and coordinating with contractors and owners to ensure projects are in alignment with the construction documents.

Margaret prides herself on creating environments both beautiful and functional. She finds plenty of opportunity to follow her passion at Otak, because Margaret says her colleagues’ dedication to creating innovative, sustainable, and livable buildings makes coming to work something she looks forward to every day.

“Margaret is an example of dedication and is a role model to other women in the architecture group.”

– Matt Neish, Architecture Business Unit Lead

 

These three have demonstrated unwavering dedication, innovation, and leadership in their fields of architecture and transportation. The DJC’s recognition is a testament to their outstanding work, showcasing how their practices are not only impacting our company but also making a significant and positive mark in the greater AEC world.

Otak Wins at APWA Colorado Awards!

Otak is thrilled to announce our success at the 2023 American Public Works Association (APWA) Colorado Awards Luncheon, where we were honored to be part of not one but two awards!

The awards ceremony brought together professionals and organizations from the public works sector to celebrate excellence and innovation in community development.

Adams County Veteran's Memorial project team accepting 2023 APWA Project of the Year Award.
The Adam’s County Veteran’s Memorial Project team accepting the 2023 APWA Project of the Year Award. (Photo Credit: Colorado Public Works Journal)

What Projects Won?

The big winner for this year was one of the most interesting projects Otak’s has had the chance to team up on in recent years – Adam’s County Veteran’s Memorial. Partnering with DHM Design and ECI Site Management was an opportunity to not only serve the community but honor veterans with a historic battleship turned testament to their service for their country.

Adams County Veteran’s Memorial – Project of the Year

Graphic showing images from the Adams County Veteran's Memorial as the APWA 2023 Project of the Year Award winner.

Otak also attended a ribbon cutting at Adams County’s grand opening – which you can check out here!

Otak was the prime on another project that took home an award – the Aspen Paepcke Bus Stop Improvements. Located at one of the busiest stops in one of America’s most iconic mountain towns, a multidisciplinary design team including City of Aspen, Clanton & Associates, Connect One Design, CTL | Thompson, PR Studio, True North Colorado, Z Group Architects, and Gould Construction came to together to deliver both a functional and aesthetically pleasing transit hub for the city.

Aspen Paepke Transit Hub Improvements – Small Transportation Project

Graphic showing images from the Paepcke Transit Hub Improvements as an APWA 2023 award winner.

A Continued Commitment to Excellence

The ceremony was not only an occasion for Otak to celebrate its own achievements but also to applaud the remarkable efforts of other dedicated professionals and organizations in the field. Together, we continue to elevate the standards of excellence in public works and community development.

The Adams County Veteran's Memorial team accepting the Project of the Year Award at the APWA Colorado 2023 luncheon.
The Adams County Veteran’s Memorial project team at the APWA Colorado 2023 luncheon.

Otak would like to express its gratitude to the APWA Colorado Chapter for organizing this event and for providing a platform for industry leaders to share ideas, inspire innovation, and celebrate success. We are thrilled to be part of this thriving community of professionals who are working tirelessly to build a brighter future.

At Otak, we remain committed to making a positive impact on the communities we serve. These awards are a testament to our collective efforts, and we look forward to many more opportunities to create meaningful change. It’s amazing to get recognition for the work we do to serve our communities, and the real payoff is not just with awards, but in the way we deliver projects successfully.

For more information about Otak and our ongoing community-focused projects, check out our website where you’ll find the latest on other projects in the Rocky Mountain Region!

30th and Colorado Underpass

As essential transportation routes for the University of Colorado and commuting for the general public, updates to these corridors were a priority for the City of Boulder. With the goal of improved multimodal transportation, aesthetic enhancements, and a future master plan for land use in mind, the 30th and Colorado Underpass project would provide important safety accessibility and drainage improvements.

Multimodal Enhancements to a Dangerous, Priority Corridor

An emphasis on multimodal transportation (pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and vehicle) at the intersection of 30th and Colorado also included a grade-separated crossing that was functional and minimally impactful to the surrounding area. The design features two pedestrian and bicycle underpasses as well as a protected intersection. Connected infrastructure to nearby sidewalks, bike lanes and multi-use paths and a reconstructed transit stop improve access to these corridors. A large gravity irrigation carrier pipe supports landscape elements while lighting, art and other features were part of the urban design. Otak developed construction documents in making the City of Boulder’s improved transportation goals a reality.

30th Street and Colorado Avenue Underpass Ribbon Cutting: A Community Comes Together for Increased Roadway Safety

Otak was proud to attend a ribbon cutting on October 3rd – celebrating the unveiling of the City of Boulder’s first-ever fully protected intersection and underpass project at 30th Street and Colorado Avenue!

The timing for the full delivery of this project could not be more relevant as the intersection is a top crash location for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike. The need was great to redesign it as a protected intersection – meant to ensure safety by physically separating vehicles from other modes of transport through the intersection, and making it easier for users to see each other.

Project Details

The project design features the aforementioned protected intersection as well as two separate pedestrian and bicycle underpasses. Connecting infrastructure to nearby sidewalks, bike lanes, and multi-use paths along with the reconstructed transit stops improves access to these corridors. Features like lighting, landscaping elements, and public art were also included as part of the urban design. Otak and our team of subconsultant partners developed construction documents to make the City of Boulder’s improved transportation goals a reality. You can read more about it on our project page!

Otakian Representation

Those attending might have caught sight of Otak’s Kevin Dooley, representing his project management and design work that was essential to accomplishing the city’s goals. For him, transportation is about much more than getting from one place to the next – transportation design is an art form that involves creatively combining what is known with what could be, and that passion played an instrumental role in a successful project delivery.

1st and Strand – St. Helens Waterfront

Enhancing the connectivity and functionality of its waterfront, the design along 1st and Strand Streets establishes a more defined downtown core for the City of St. Helens, Oregon. A multidisciplinary Otak team led planning and subsequent engineering aimed at further developing this area of the city and accentuating its value as a public asset.

Strengthening Connectivity by Developing a Downtown Waterfront

Following a planning effort to outline further development of the downtown waterfront, including the site of a former mill, roadway improvements in the area enhance access for both vehicles and pedestrians while also setting the stage for expanded public use. A new multiuse path and more clearly defined parking areas increase accessibility to the waterfront and its amenities. Its design allows for a portion of Strand Street to host festivals with minimal disruption to traffic by incorporating a new circle turnaround and converting part of Strand to a one-way street that had previously caused congestion between the courthouse and City Hall. The extension of water and sewer utilities, along with a new pump station and stormwater facilities, has the site shovel-ready for future development.