A Different Kind of Project: Building Future AEC Professionals with CU Boulder

Posted on April 30, 2025April 30, 2025 by Otak Staff

A common thread within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry exists in creating lasting impact. While this theme naturally applies to work that aims to improve lives in communities from one generation to the next, it’s also about preparing the next generation of professionals to continue that work.

At the University of Colorado, Boulder, the CVEN 4899 Senior Design course takes a different approach to building future AEC professionals by giving students a real-world example project to put their knowledge into practice. The project is part of Otak’s work on South Boulder Creek and several leaders from the multidisciplinary expertise involved participated in the classroom and in the field. Their hope was to lend their perspective as mentors to advancing an educational system where a focus on technical knowledge often doesn’t include the value of practical experience.

Quote from Matt Morris about the CU Boulder Capstone project.

Understanding how complex projects go from concept to completion involves familiarity with nuanced aspects of decision making in each phase, including stakeholder engagement, technical design, constructability, budgeting, and interdisciplinary coordination. This course helps balance the gap between hard and soft skills in the complete design and construction process, equipping students with a well-rounded start toward successful careers in the industry.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the details of this unique capstone project and the information presented to guide it across four distinct elements. Read on or skip ahead:

The Project – A Stream, Two Structures, and the Solutions of Multidisciplinary Work
Assessing Water Resources and Environmental Conditions
Making Context-Sensitive Structural Design Decisions
Building High-Performing Teams with Balanced Skills
Considering Constructability and Managing a Project to Completion
Bridging the Gap Between Classroom and Career

Students of the CU Boulder Capstone project gathered at the project site.

Image of Chris Romeyn presenting in the classroom for the CU Boulder Capstone project.

The Project – A Stream, Two Structures, and the Solutions of Multidisciplinary Work

In the backyard of CU Boulder’s campus is a nine-mile stretch of South Boulder Creek that extends from Eldorado Canyon to its confluence with Boulder Creek. It represents one of several stream sites identified for improvement by Boulder Flycasters (a local chapter of Trout Unlimited) after multiple studies in the area. The subsequent Stream Management Plan recommended the modification or replacement of multiple structures while the City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks Department aimed to improve the functionality of all water crossings across their trail network in the area.

The collective goals of a hypothetical client, The South Boulder Creek Alliance, took shape in a request for proposal (RFP) that combines two projects near the South Mesa Trailhead. One focuses on modifying or replacing the Davidson Diversion structure, and the second on the pedestrian access bridge crossing South Boulder Creek as part of the Mesa Trail.

Aerial view of the project site for the CU Boulder Capstone Project, including the two structures.

Through this course, students were asked to develop hypothetical proposals for this real-world project. In developing their designs for each element, they were challenged to balance stakeholder needs, reduce costs through innovative materials and construction methods, and minimize impacts to the environment and public—both during construction and in the long term. Several presentations from industry professionals would guide them along the way, all with a focus on sustainability and resiliency considerations.

Assessing Water Resources and Environmental Conditions

Understanding water resources is an essential component to civil engineering, which of course is accentuated when a stream is involved. It’s a concept very familiar to Tracy Emmanuel, a geomorphologist and team lead for environmental as well as water and natural resources work at Otak, who—alongside colleagues Chris Romeyn and Maddie McNamee—brought expertise to this course in the classroom and the field. While Chris and Maddie led a tutorial on hydraulic modeling, Tracy guided students through her team’s approach to water-related aspects of projects with an emphasis on the types of questions they ask in the project process to uncover the right design solutions—rather than simply providing the answers.

Quote from Tracy Emmanuel about her involvement with the CU Boulder Capstone project.

Using this information, students examined the project area’s floodplain and how the flow of the stream impacts the design in a number of key ways:

Determining watershed hydrology and waterway flows as they relate to water rights, fish passage, and with consideration of an expansion project of the upstream Gross Reservoir Dam
Examining a floodplain assessment of impacts to 100-year and 500-year floodplain boundaries in relation to those published by FEMA and local agencies
Completing hydraulic analysis to determine placement and impact of both the diversion structure and potential bridge crossing.
Determining scour from a 500-year storm event and channel erosion protection for the structures

These areas not only enhanced the students’ understanding of water resources engineering but also underlined the importance of designing for the long-term ecological health of the area and maximizing its value to the surrounding community.

Making Context-Sensitive Structural Design Decisions

Structural design is about more than just crunching numbers—it’s about understanding how context, constraints, and client priorities shape a project. David Graff, a structural engineer at Otak, provided students a window into better understanding the how that surrounding context impacts the structural design process, while remaining rooted in real-world conditions.

Quote from David Graff about his involvement with the CU Boulder Capstone project.

David emphasized that before even beginning detailed calculations, engineers must make critical decisions about structure type, channel impact, materials, constructability, and aesthetic expectations. He also highlighted the importance of asking the right questions—What problems is the client trying to solve? What’s the budget? Are there successful precedent projects to draw from?

To demonstrate this process, he shared the structure alignment selection process behind the 19th Street Pedestrian Bridge, which exists right on CU Boulder’s campus. He used the project as an example familiar to these students, illustrating how thoughtful engineering, paired with client engagement and project constraint understanding, leads to a successful and unique design solution.

These insights aimed to aid the students as they worked through the structural and geotechnical aspects of the project:

Describing existing site conditions, including subsurface conditions and soil profiles
Determining if any elements of existing structures can be reused in the final condition
Evaluating the pros and cons of different structural materials and systems for the pedestrian bridge design
Considering preventative maintenance for the structures and those associated future costs

The opportunity to navigate working with multiple disciplines and stakeholders gave students a fuller understanding of the structural design process and the high-level decisions that come with it.

University of Colorado Varsity Pond Bridge and Dam Improvements

See the Project

Take a closer look at how a historic landmark is rehabilitated to ensure its structural integrity and access to the campus community for generations to come.

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Building High-Performing Teams with Balanced Skills

Technical expertise is essential, but the ability to work well with others and communicate effectively is also critical to a project’s success. Henry Alaman, Otak’s Colorado Regional Director and a member of the owner’s representative team, shared with students the importance of balancing technical skills with the soft skills that aren’t always covered in traditional engineering coursework.

Quote from Henry Alaman about his involvement with the CU Boulder Capstone project.

Henry spoke about how interpersonal skills influence both the pursuit of projects and their ultimate success. From team collaboration to community engagement, the ability to build relationships and gain buy-in from stakeholders can be an essential piece of the project process.

To reinforce the importance of collaboration, and communication, Henry led an interactive team-building exercise that encouraged students to break down barriers and avoid the siloed thinking that can hinder progress in interdisciplinary teams.

Considering Constructability and Managing a Project to Completion

The best design in the world won’t matter if it can’t be built efficiently. That was central theme from Patrick Pease, a leader in Otak’s construction management group, who presented the practical realities of turning design concepts into built environments.

Patrick walked students through the various steps in the construction process—from initial planning to regular coordination with owners, municipalities, and contractors. He stressed the construction phase being where most major cost fluctuations occur, making coordination crucial to maximizing project value. Proactive communication is one key to avoiding these issues by resolving disputes quickly, maintaining schedules, and keeping projects on budget. To drive this point, Patrick shared two real-world examples that showed opposing results. One—CO7 and SH119—was executed efficiently due to strong stakeholder coordination and planning. The other experienced delays and cost overruns due to poor coordination and lack of clarity between parties.

Quote from Patrick Pease about his involvement with the CU Boulder Capstone project.

With the aim of ensuring their designs could be completed, the students’ proposals included various aspects of project constructability:

Creating a list of stakeholders, including their role and involvement, who need to be involved during active construction
Providing strategies for avoiding public interruptions as well as any needed closures or detours to the trail system
Mitigating risk and impact to the environment, including fish spawning in the area
Creating a detailed cost estimate along with a design and construction schedule with phasing plans

A close look at the construction phase helped students understand how critical it is to build strong working relationships early and sustain them throughout a project’s lifecycle.

Bridging the Gap Between Classroom and Career

By simulating a true design-build environment, the CVEN 4899 Senior Design course gives students invaluable experience beyond textbooks. Otak is honored to support these future AEC professionals with a first-hand look at the full project process from a multidisciplinary environment.

As a firm committed to the professional development of our people and the improvement of our communities, we see investing in the next generation not just as mentorship but central to our mission.

Learn What It’s Like to Work at Otak

Roadway Engineering: Creating Community Connections

Posted on March 27, 2025March 27, 2025 by Otak Staff

A cornerstone of any growing community is its connectivity. Roadway engineering provides more than just conduits for cars; it forms the framework for mobility in a community that leverages a variety of modes of transportation.

Infographic showing three types of roadway and some benefits they provide to community connectivity.

A well-designed transportation network featuring different types of roadways can have widespread impact on economic development and individual wellness. This includes improvements that ensure all areas—especially underserved populations—have access to jobs, essential services, and amenities as well as healthier lifestyles through reductions in emissions and the promotion of active transportation. In this blog we discuss how roadway designs exist at the intersection of planning and transportation engineering to support the growth of healthier, more sustainable communities.

Read on, or skip ahead:

Key Roadway Considerations
Types of Roadway

Neighborhood Streets

Mid-Size Collectors and Corridors

Large Arterials and Highways

What is Roadway Engineering and Its Importance?

Roadway engineering is the planning, design, and construction of transportation infrastructure that enhances existing roadways or establishes new connections within a community. The practice integrates technical expertise, urban planning, and environmental considerations to develop safe, efficient, and accessible transportation systems that serve both current and future needs.

The design process starts with an assessment of existing conditions, including topographic mapping, survey and GIS, to understand site constraints. From there, engineers develop roadway layouts that meet design and safety standards. The final design incorporates permitting requirements, cost considerations, and agency coordination to ensure a smooth transition from planning through construction. The end result is a completed roadway that enhances connection across a community.

Key Roadway Engineering Project Considerations

Aerial view of the NE 40th Water Quality Facility. — *NE 40th Water Quality Facility*

Stormwater Infrastructure and Low Impact Development

An extremely common aspect of roadway engineering involves the inclusion of stormwater infrastructure considerations. While accounting for increased impervious surfaces and polluted runoff, stormwater features reduce flooding and improve water quality for a community.

A replacement culvert and fish passage features as part of improvements to 171st Parkway. — *171st Street Urban Parkway*

Culvert Replacement and Environmental Mitigation

With new development comes the potential for negative environmental impact, but proper analysis of natural resources can mitigate adverse effects. Existing culverts are notoriously inefficient and are also among the most common barriers to fish passage. Today, culverts are being replaced to protect aquatic habitat, reduce flooding, and preserve water rights for property owners.

View down to 30th and Colorado protected bike underpass. — *30th and Colorado Underpass*

Pedestrian Features

An important piece of roadway engineering is consideration of how it facilitates more than just cars. Multimodal design gives communities options for how they get from point A to point B, all while reducing carbon emissions and promoting physical health through active transportation. Emphasizing pedestrian mobility features like pedestrian bridges, protected bike lanes, cross walks, and traffic stripping reduces traffic conflicts for all.

An intersection along the updated Tolt Avenue corridor. — *Tolt Avenue Central Business District Improvements*

Traffic Control Elements

Safety is the top priority of any roadway project. With updated traffic signals and signage, drivers are more aware, creating a safer environment for themselves and pedestrians. As the design of a roadway considers number of lanes and width, control of speed can also be effectively managed.

People at the Lynnwood Community Transit Bus Rapid Transit Orange Line station. — *Swift Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)*

Transit-Oriented-Development

A healthy transportation network is a diverse transportation network. As roadway projects increase in size, so do opportunities to incorporate multimodal features. This can include accommodating mass transit with new stations, specialized lanes, or connection to adjacent trail systems. All ultimately contribute to traffic calming, creating a more connected community.

From small neighborhood streets to large arterials, each roadway type must be designed with the specific needs of the community in mind. A critical aspect of any design is engaging with the public to ensure buy-in and minimize disruption. The larger the initiative, the more essential public outreach becomes, and each project presents its own unique impacts to the connectivity of the communities it serves.

Types of Roadways and Their Impact on Communities

Different types of roadways serve unique, though connected, purposes in a transportation network. Their design often begins with comprehensive planning efforts which help identify the transportation needs of a community. Potential projects can then be developed with the focus of serving both community and client goals.

Neighborhood Streets

Neighborhood streets are designed with a primary focus on safety and accessibility, often placing an emphasis on pedestrians, cyclists, and access to public transit. The more limited scope of neighborhood street projects makes cost-effective construction strategies vital to fit within local budgets.

With this localized focus on enhancing connectivity and accessibility, neighborhood streets also typically include ADA-compliant sidewalks and crosswalks while speed bumps or curb extensions are among traffic calming measures. This roadway type requires extra attention to minimizing impact on adjacent properties while maximizing the benefits to those who call the neighborhood home, including the public assets that often exist in the area.

Tualatin, OR Adds Safe Routes to School

View of a pedestrian crosswalk and landscape as part of pedestrian safety improvements around Tualatin Elementary.

View of widened sidewalk and signage as part of pedestrian safety improvements around Tualatin Elementary.

Among some of the most important improvements that can be made to neighborhood streets are those that create a safer environment for children that play and travel in the area. For many parents at Tualatin Elementary, it was clear that updates to the neighborhood streets could make a real difference for the kids walking and biking to and from school.

Graphic with a quote from a community member on the impact of roadway improvements and the safe routes to schools program. — *Source: KOIN 6*

As part of Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs, which provides grants for these types of improvements, work on 95th and Avery made a variety of upgrades to enhance pedestrian safety, particularly for the kids of Tualatin Elementary.

Multiple intersections were improved with high visibility striping in crosswalks, rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFB), and other features to create safer pedestrian crossings and reduce conflicts with vehicles. Deficient sidewalks and gaps were replaced to further enhance the pedestrian experience.

Mid-Size Collectors and Corridors

Mid-size collectors and corridors serve as vital connections between neighborhoods and larger roadways. This roadway type supports moderate traffic volumes and often incorporates improvements that enhance transportation operations and facilitate flow between developing areas.

Corridors generally aim to improve access to commercial areas, parks, and transit hubs in response to increasing traffic demand. As part of planning efforts, these improvements are sometimes made in anticipation of future development. The larger scope often involves coordination with utility companies and various agencies, as they can have a substantial impact on not only the community but the surrounding environment.

Silverdale, WA Sees Reduced Congestion and an Enhanced Waterfront

Designed a 240-foot, four-lane bridge and widened road

The community of Silverdale had long looked to improve on poor waterfront access. Where the Clear Creek Estuary crosses under Bucklin Hill Road and meets Dyes Inlet, high traffic was common which was especially problematic considering its semi-rural setting. Altogether, the area represented a missed opportunity to create an appealing place for recreation, community connections, and growth for local businesses.

Graphic with a quote from a local business owner on the impact of the Bucklin Hill roadway project.

Improvements to Bucklin Hill Road and Bridge changed that. Two additional travel lanes eliminated congestion while new bike lanes and facilities were added where there had been none. Widened sidewalks and new trail connections added to new active transportation opportunities for the community. Extensive public outreach, including the “Scout Your Route” campaign to keep the public informed of closures, minimized disruption while reducing construction duration. These improvements had a direct, broad impact on all community members, including residents at senior living facilities in the area that now benefit from greater accessibility to their local businesses.

Large Arterials and Highways

Large arterials and highways are critical for regional mobility, commerce, and overarching economic development. Linking rural and urban areas, these roadways provide communities of all sizes access to important resources like employment and healthcare in metropolitan centers, while supporting the social and cultural networks between different areas. The scale of large highway upgrades can lead to wider improvements to transit-oriented development that diversify modes of transportation and maximize project value.

These roadways often present unique engineering challenges and draw from multiple funding sources, requiring close coordination with agencies to ensure regulatory compliance. As long-term, high-visibility projects, managing timelines and minimizing construction impacts is essential to minimizing disruptions that, at this scale, can be especially costly. This includes effectively communicating project updates with the surrounding community through informational websites, local representatives, and other channels to provide clarity and achieve buy-in.

Salem, OR Supports Rapid Growth and Underserved Areas

In a historically underserved area of Salem, Oregon, where 36% of parcels are underutilized, the McGilchrist Complete Street Project is designed to enhance business development, job creation, and multimodal transportation options for members of the community. It’s part of a 20-year vision for economic growth as well as transportation safety and environmental sustainability.

Graphic with a quote from Ron Wyden on the McGilchrist Arterial project.

Considering the large and lasting impact of this work on the community, it was imperative to include them. Extensive stakeholder engagement went above and beyond, working directly with property owners, businesses, and local agencies to ensure the project addressed real community needs. These efforts led to the incorporation of refinements such as the protected cycle track and intersection realignments.

Based on feedback from public outreach, 74% of the corridor features protected bike lanes and new sidewalks. The design aims to significantly improve pedestrian accessibility while minimizing pedestrian-vehicle conflicts, resulting in fewer severe crashes and lives lost. The inclusion of $15 million of stormwater infrastructure upgrades also means this work plays a critical role in not only reducing future flooding for the community but improving habitat for fish.

Making the Complete Connection

Roadways are essential to creating vibrant, connected, and equitable communities. Because of their widespread impact, roadway projects of any size involve a diverse set of considerations to ensure that impact is comprehensive and long lasting. Through thoughtful planning, collaboration, and public engagement, Otak’s multidisciplinary teams take a cohesive approach to designing more connected communities that address current and future needs.

See Our Transportation Work

Sharing a Unique Urban Wetland Enhancement at the 2025 Urban Ecology and Conservation Symposium

With the mission of advancing the science around urban ecosystems, the 23^rd Annual Urban Ecology and Conservation Symposium took place featuring a presentation detailing work on the Springwater Wetlands Restoration project. Project lead, Rose Horton, presented alongside the client, Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) and the City of Portland, to discuss the variety of ways improvements to this watershed are designed to improve the local habitat and surrounding community.

“At a really well attended conference, it was great to be part of all the wildlife research and knowledge that was shared… it’s important to show how restoring wetlands also protects people with solutions like naturally improving flood storage.”

– Rose Horton, PE|Team Leader, WNR

What is the Urban Ecology and Conservation Symposium?

The event is hosted by the Urban Ecosystem Research Consortium (UERC) of Portland/Vancouver and was held at Portland State University. Made up of members from educational institutions, state agencies, local governments, and non-profits, the UERC offers professionals opportunities to gather and share knowledge about urban ecology. Several speakers across a range of organizations gave presentations to share knowledge and ecological data with a focus on building communities in the region.

Insights from the Springwater Wetlands Restoration

Among the presentations given on ‘Restoration and Monitoring’ at the 2025 UERC was a unique, 70-acre urban wetland enhancement project that aimed to address decades of attempts to reduce flooding in the Portland area. Johnson Creek is one of the few free-flowing streams in Portland and has a long history of nuisance and catastrophic flooding. The restoration of the Springwater Wetlands focused on reducing that flooding while also enhancing habitat and improving community amenities for the city.

Co-presenting with client representatives, Rose detailed how this restoration work removed non-native fill and improved flood storage to protect neighborhoods from Johnson Creek and advance the city’s goals. This work also added more connections to the Johnson Creek trail system, including educational signs and site features made from WPA rock that connect the area’s history with its natural environment.

Redmond Stormwater Trunk Extension and Water Quality Facility Wins Silver at ACEC WA EEA Awards

A group photo of the NE 40th Stormwater Trunk Extension and Water Quality Facility project team with client. — *The Otak project team and client at the 2025 ACEC WA Engineering Excellence Awards Banquet.*

This year’s American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Washington Awards Banquet celebrated a variety of projects from the region that improve communities through innovative engineering solutions. We’re proud to share that Otak’s NE 40th Stormwater Trunk Extension and Water Quality Facility project was honored with a Silver Award for Successful Fulfillment of Client/Owner Needs, highlighting the exceptional work and the dedication of our stormwater planning and environmental teams to collaborate closely with our client partners.

In further developing the City of Redmond’s stormwater infrastructure, this project stood out for a design that ensures water quality for people and natural habitat alike, while encouraging investment in the redevelopment of the area.

About Phase 1: Street Stormwater Trunk Extension

Redmond’s proactive approach to stormwater management included extension of a stormwater trunkline to a new direct outfall into Lake Sammamish to accommodate future redevelopment without the need for large on-site flow control facilities. This allows for higher density in a growing urban area around the new Redmond Technology Light Rail Station.

See the Project

About Phase 2: Water Quality Facility

At the upstream end of the trunkline basin, the NE 40th Street Water Quality Facility was established to treat highly polluted runoff from 19 acres of a high-traffic roadway area. The new retrofit treatment site includes a unique leaf-shaped biofiltration facility that is viewable by pedestrians and transit center users at a gateway node within the city.

See the Project

Congratulations to our team, client, and project partners for their hard work and dedication! We look forward to continuing our mission of delivering innovative and sustainable built solutions.

Tyson Hounsel, Otak Project Manager
BHC Consultants – Pump station design
GeoEngineers, Inc. – Soils investigation and geotechnical recommendations
Transportation Engineering Northwest – Signal modification and traffic control design
Razz Construction
KLB Construction

Graphic with project images and an overview of the NE 40th Street Stormwater Trunk Extension and Water Quality Facility.

Presenting at the 2024 Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference with a Modern Approach to Inevitable Change

This October, the annual Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference took place with the overarching theme of ‘Flowing Through Change.’ With that focus, attendees explored the relentless nature of change when it comes to work on natural systems. As part of the conference lineup, Ethan Ader (Otak Fluvial Geomorphologist) presented on how the evolving practice of adaptive management is addressing challenges to create lasting desired outcomes in the field of environmental science.

“Every opportunity to share data on adaptive management and monitoring helps the industry move closer to creating standardization for this type of work, so we’ll able to draw large scale conclusions.”

– Ethan Ader, Fluvial Geomorphologist

What is the Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference?

Watersheds represent some of our most valuable natural resources. In partnership between Water Education Colorado, the Colorado Riparian Association and the Colorado Watershed Assembly, the Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference takes place each year, bringing together environmental professionals to advance best practices in work on natural systems. With the goal of expanding cooperation and collaboration throughout the state in natural resource conservation, protection, and enhancement, the event engages participants on topical issues facing the practice. Along with a valuable opportunity to learn about emerging practices, the conference also facilitates important connections between industry professionals.

Sharing Lessons from an Adaptive Management Plan to Improve Industry Standardization

In addition to discussing ideas and networking, the Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference also explores real world examples of how approaches are being applied in the field. This year, Ethan Ader was there to do just that with his presentation titled Preparing for Inevitable Change Through Adaptive Management and Monitoring Along St. Vrain Creek. By sharing a look at an adaptive management plan and demonstrating how commonly competing interests don’t have to be at odds with one another in this type of work, he also aimed to help advance the standardization of this practice in the industry.

“[Through conferences like this] it’s important to be able to communicate two successful examples of where fish passage and water delivery can go hand in hand.”

– Ethan Ader, Fluvial Geomorphologist

While walking through the process for adaptive management, which involves ongoing monitoring that allows for responsive decision-making and project updates, Ethan detailed how the practice is being applied at two fish passage projects constructed along St. Vrain Creek. Fish passage projects can come with the negative perception that they can adversely impact water delivery to properties in the project area, but with data from these sites, Ethan demonstrated how this stream was performing as designed without interrupting flow to other entities.

Two years of data presented from St. Vrain Creek show that project goals continue to be successful while, simultaneously, ongoing conversations with ditch companies have ensured their needs are also being met. With this information, the project team is ultimately able to contribute towards advancing adaptive management in the industry. As the approach is more broadly adopted and as more data is collected, the creation of standardization will improve the efficacy of these projects and their impact on community resilience and aquatic habitat.

While Ethan notes there is still a lot of work to do on this front, with a lot of overlapping and reinforcing ideas, the Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference represented another step in the right direction and he’s happy to do his part in presenting this use case.

Read Our Blog On Adaptive Management

Leading the Next Generation of Stream Restoration Professionals with Gary Wolff

In leading the next generation of stream restoration professionals, Gary Wolff (Otak Senior Hydraulics Engineer) taught a four-day-course this fall on, “steady open channel flow modeling emphasizing stream restoration applications.” It’s part of a stream restoration certificate program at Portland State University and is something he’s been lending his expertise to for the better part of the past decade.

“I love to teach and mentor young people because I’ve been in the business for over 40 years, and it’s a big benefit to our business and the work we do because it increases its exposure.”

– Gary Wolff, Senior Hydraulics Engineer

As a member of our environmental team, Gary has worked on countless projects aimed at restoring streams to their natural state, including aquatic habitat and fish passage. A large part of those efforts has centered around being an industry leader in the application of the Hydrologic Engineering Center – River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) hydraulic modeling software, which he provides insight into as part of this program.

What is the Stream Restoration Certificate Program?

Infrastructure development throughout history has often changed riverine systems from their natural state. Consequently, negative impacts to the natural environment, property, and habitat have been a common result. With growing knowledge around these impacts, efforts are increasingly being made to restore streams to their more natural state, adding resilience to both the environment and surrounding communities.

Co-sponsored by Portland State University and River Restoration Northwest, the Stream Restoration Certificate program positions prospective environmental engineers to better design future stream restoration projects. The ability to model the river and stream systems as part of these projects is a significant piece of that puzzle, and it’s the focus of Gary’s course. As an introduction to the one-dimensional capabilities of the HEC-RAS software, Gary’s course gives river restoration practitioners with backgrounds in geoscience, the life sciences, and engineering the ability to make reliable interpretations of the outputs from these models. Designed as a hands-on experience with the software, it covers modeling for a variety of situations commonly encountered when restoring rivers. This includes a focus on hydraulic modeling of streams with added habitat features (e.g. large wood, boulders), as well as floodplain permitting applications.

See Our Stream Restoration Work

The Art and Science of Pedestrian Bridge Design: A Guide to Functionality, Sustainability, and Aesthetics

Posted on August 29, 2024August 29, 2024 by Otak Staff

Pedestrian bridges, also known as footbridges, are vital elements of our communities’ transportation infrastructure. While some are often crossed without much notice, others catch the attention of anyone nearby. In any case, a combination of art and science goes into the design of each structure.

Providing safe passage for pedestrians and cyclists across busy roads, rivers, railways, and other crossings, pedestrian bridges connect communities and enhance overall quality of life through active transportation. But these structures can also serve a greater purpose beyond their practical use, often providing memorable viewpoints, meeting spots, and spaces to enjoy the surrounding environment while making a design statement for communities.

Designed to last for at least 75 years, pedestrian bridges are ingrained in the fabric of the surrounding area and must be resilient to changing environmental conditions to provide long-lasting, accessible, and safe crossing. In this blog, we’ll discuss the steps of the pedestrian bridge design process and key elements around functionality, sustainability, and aesthetics that can make them fixtures of a community for generations.

Read on or skip ahead:

The Pedestrian Bridge Design Process
Types of Pedestrian Bridges
Functionality Elements in Pedestrian Bridge Design
Sustainability Elements in Pedestrian Bridge Design
Aesthetic Elements in Pedestrian Bridge Design

What is Pedestrian Bridge Design?

Pedestrian bridge design creates structures that primarily provide safe crossings for foot traffic, cyclists, and other modes of active transportation, facilitating movement between communities and enhancing its surrounding environment.

As trails grow in popularity (including in urban areas), the role of pedestrian bridges in creating accessible, interconnected networks becomes increasingly crucial. Effective pedestrian bridge design can also enhance the usability and safety of trail systems, allowing for uninterrupted and safe passage across both natural and man-made crossings.

An infographic showing common elements of pedestrian bridge design.

The Pedestrian Bridge Design Process

The design of a pedestrian bridge is a meticulous process that begins with a clear understanding of its intended usage and the specific site conditions. This process involves defining the primary purpose of the bridge, gathering detailed site information, creating preliminary designs, and finally, refining those designs into a comprehensive plan for construction.

Define Usage

The first step in pedestrian bridge design is to define its intended use. This includes understanding whether the bridge will primarily serve pedestrians, cyclists, or in many cases even small vehicles. This determines important factors related to load and bridge width. For example, bridges on pedestrian trails are typically four to six feet wide, while those on interurban trails may need to be 10 to 12 feet or sometimes even wider.

Pedestrian bridges often need to support not only foot traffic but also small vehicles such as maintenance trucks, emergency vehicles, or even snowcats. AASHTO guidelines specify that pedestrian bridges must be designed to handle a pedestrian load of 85 pounds per square foot (PSF), with additional considerations for vehicles, where loads can range from 10,000 pounds for maintenance vehicles to 54,000 pounds for emergency vehicles. In remote areas, the design might also need to accommodate equestrian use.

The rise of e-bikes is another growing consideration; while they enhance accessibility, they also introduce new safety challenges due to their speed and weight. Designers have to stay informed about varying state regulations on e-bike usage to ensure safety and accessibility for all users.

Gather Site Information

Once the intended use is defined, the next step is to gather detailed information about the site. This includes conducting surveys, geotechnical analyses, and environmental assessments. The type of crossing — whether over a stream, roadway, or railway — dictates essential design considerations like clearances. For instance, street and highway crossings require a minimum clearance of 16.5 feet, railroads 25 feet, and waterways at least two feet above a 100-year flood event.

Washougal River Bridge

See the Project

Take a closer look at how a site assessment informs pedestrian bridge design to meet multiple functional purposes, from connecting a trail system to carrying a water main, while also giving careful consideration to the surrounding environment.

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Environmental factors such as snow, wind, temperature fluctuations, and seismic activity must also be considered to ensure the bridge’s resilience. This information helps determine the appropriate location and type of abutments, as well as the length, width, and height of the bridge.

Environmental assessments are critical in identifying necessary permits and ensuring that the design minimizes impact on local ecosystems. For waterway crossings, hydrologic and hydraulic analyses provide insights into potential water levels during extreme weather events, guiding decisions about pier placement and scour protection. Other environmental considerations include preventing pollution through stormwater management and minimizing disruption to local vegetation and wildlife.

Preliminary Design and Alternative Selection

Based on the gathered data, preliminary designs are developed by structural engineers, accounting for all client and site-specific requirements. These designs include cost estimates and various alternatives, each with its own set of benefits and challenges. Preliminary sketches and renderings help visualize different options, allowing stakeholders to assess feasibility, constructability, and cost-effectiveness before making a final selection.

Final Design

The final design phase involves detailed structural analysis using specialized engineering software. This step ensures that the bridge can withstand all expected loads, including tension and compression forces. Special attention is given to fracture critical members (FCMs), which are vital components whose failure could lead to the collapse of the bridge. These elements, along with welds, are carefully identified in the structural plans.

With the design configuration set, materials are selected to meet the demands of the environment, such as thermal expansion and slip resistance. Safety and reliability are prioritized, leading to the completion of design and construction documents that detail every aspect of the bridge, from structural components to aesthetic elements.

Types of Pedestrian Bridges

While the majority of pedestrian bridges are either beam or truss structures, there are instances where other options are either required for practical reasons or chosen for design preference.

Beam Bridge

View down part of the Kronberg Multi-Use Pathway. — *Kronberg Multi-Use Pathway*

Short Spans (5′ to 100′)

Beam and girder bridges provide many fabrication and construction options while also being typically more cost effective. Used for shorter spans, they are limited in girder depth and vertical clearance. While they are among the most common in pedestrian bridge design, these structures can be built with materials like steel, concrete, or timber, and can integrate bridge railings to create a unique identity.

Truss Bridge

Aerial view of the Dungeness River Bridge. — *Dungeness River Bridge*

Medium Spans (20’ to 150’)

With simple construction that installs quickly, truss bridges are another common pedestrian bridge type that offers a cost-effective design. While less unique, a railing that’s integral with the structure can be a fitting aesthetic for many applications. Materials for these structures are generally steel, timber, or fiberglass (FRP).

Arch Bridge

View of Varsity Pond Bridge on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. — *Varsity Pond Arch Bridge*

Medium Spans (50′ to 300′)

For medium spans that avoid the use of piers, arch bridges provide graceful aesthetics that can be built low below a trail profile. While more expensive, these structures can be advantageous for greater spans and limiting impact to the environment. They are commonly made of steel, concrete, or timber materials.

Cable Stay Bridge

View of the Spring Creek Pedestrian Bridge. — *Spring Creek Pedestrian Bridge*

Long Spans (100′ to 300′)

Offering a low profile for longer spans, cable stay bridges provide a unique look and feel compared to other pedestrian bridge options, typically showcasing a distinctive fan-like pattern created by their cable placement. Cables can be rigged in a mono, harp, fan, or star design, and similar to most other bridge types can be built with steel, timber, or concrete.

Suspension Bridge

View of the Staircase Rapids Trail Bridge in Olympic National Park. — *Staircase Rapids Trail Bridge*

Long Spans (200′ to 500′)

The science of long crossings and art of graceful aesthetics are combined in suspension bridge design. This structure type is especially useful for wide rivers and sites with inaccessible pier locations, often providing a statement for a community using steel, concrete, or timber materials.

Functionality Elements in Pedestrian Bridge Design

Regardless of individual goals, functionality is a core objective in any pedestrian bridge design. In creating a durable, safe, and cost-effective structure that meets community needs for decades, the design should consider a variety of factors. A focus on surrounding pedestrian and bicycle facilities, providing logical routes that encourage use and minimize the need for detours, and consideration of alternative crossing opportunities are all essential to maximizing accessibility and safety.

Wayfinding

A pedestrian bridge is only as valuable as the use it gets. The ability to find one’s way to and from the bridge as part of a broader transportation network is critical to that end.

For effective wayfinding, pedestrian bridge design should integrate with existing transportation infrastructure, ensuring that the bridge is easily accessible and does not require users to travel out of their way to cross. Creating logical connections to surrounding facilities increase the bridge’s utility and enhance the user experience. Additionally, designing a system of cohesive icons and signage not only helps guide users through space visually, but can support tourism, and establish the bridge as a gathering space and community landmark.

Approach Ramps and Accessibility

A sometimes-overlooked aspect of pedestrian bridge design are the approach ramps. Approach ramps ensure that the bridge is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. The design of approach ramps must adhere to ADA Guidelines, which often require long ramps to accommodate the necessary vertical clearances. Ramps also provide an opportunity to add some creativity in the design that fits within the site footprint. Although these ramps can represent a significant cost, they are essential for ensuring that the bridge is fully functional and accessible.

Abutments and Piers

Serving as the foundation of the structure, abutments and piers can take shape in a pedestrian bridge design in many ways. Depending on the site conditions, abutment design can range from simple footings to more complex anchoring systems.

Geotechnical analysis plays a key role in determining whether deep foundations are necessary, particularly in areas prone to scour. The type and number of piers used also impacts the cost of the bridge relative to its span length.

A graph illustrating the cost benefits of piers related to bridge length.

Sustainability and Resilience Elements in Pedestrian Bridge Design

With a more volatile environment, sustainability and resilience are increasingly critical to pedestrian bridge design. Designers must consider environmental impacts, resilience to climate change, and seismic resilience where necessary. For waterway crossings, hydraulic and hydrologic modeling are essential to ensuring that the bridge can withstand extreme weather events and avoid damaging the surrounding ecosystem. There are a few aspects of bridge design where resilience is particularly relevant.

Stormwater and Drainage

Proper stormwater and drainage design is vital to prevent pollution and maintain the structural integrity of the bridge. Deck drains should be placed at regular intervals to keep the bridge watertight, and curbs should be installed on bridges crossing roads or highways to prevent water runoff. These measures help protect both the bridge and the environment.

Sustainable Materials and Energy Efficiency

The use of sustainable building materials and energy-efficient technologies is an important consideration in modern pedestrian bridge design. Recycled materials and energy-efficient lighting, such as LEDs, can reduce the environmental footprint of the bridge. Landscaping can also promote sustainability by supporting local ecosystems and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the bridge.

Laporte Avenue Corridor and Bridge Improvements

See the Project

Take a closer look at the use of sustainable materials (including 97% recycled steel in bridge structures) as part of multimodal improvements to a corridor in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Read Post

Mitigation of Waterway Impact

When a pedestrian bridge crosses a waterway, special attention must be given to minimizing its impact on the stream and surrounding wetlands. Regulatory requirements often dictate freeboard levels and the number of piers allowed in the water. Designers must also consider fish passage and scour protection to preserve the natural flow and health of the waterway.

Aesthetic Elements in Pedestrian Bridge Design

While functionality and resilience are paramount, sometimes there is great value – particularly as part of a system of brides – in designing a pedestrian bridge that makes a statement. As integral components of the community, aesthetics can play a pivotal role in an area’s growth. A well-designed pedestrian bridge can become a landmark or gateway, enhancing the community’s identity and appeal. While purely functional bridges are often more cost-effective, investing in aesthetically pleasing features can add long-term value to the community.

The opportunity to consider aesthetics isn’t exclusive to grand design choices. There are a wide range of ways where even small features can have a large, lasting impact.

Bridge System Type

The type of bridge system chosen can greatly influence its aesthetic appeal. Beam and truss bridges are generally more functional, while arch, cable-stay, and suspension bridges offer greater creative freedom, allowing designers to create iconic structures that stand out.

Willapa Hills Trail Bridges

See the Project

Take a closer look at how after an extreme weather event, multiple pedestrian bridge designs are used to add resilience and safety to a trail system in the Pacific Northwest.

Read Post

Bridge Railing

Bridge railings are another element where functionality meets aesthetics. While they primarily serve to protect pedestrians and cyclists, railings can also be designed to enhance the visual appeal of the bridge. In urban or high-risk areas, railings are often higher and more enclosed for safety, whereas in rural areas, simpler designs may suffice. Historical railing systems can be preserved or replicated to maintain the cultural heritage of the area.

Bridge Lighting

Bridge lighting serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. It provides safety for users at night and deters vandalism, while also highlighting the bridge as a visual landmark. LED lighting has revolutionized bridge design, offering energy efficiency, reduced maintenance, and a wide range of color options. The right lighting can transform a pedestrian bridge into a striking feature of the nighttime landscape.

Taking a Multidisciplinary Approach to Pedestrian Bridge Design

Just as one community differs from the next, so do the pedestrian bridges that enhance their connectivity. With a considered process and collaborative approach combing the art and science of each project, the variety of design solutions available offer several paths to both meeting functional goals and making a statement for the community.

As a fixture of infrastructure designed to last decades, pedestrian bridges are created with an eye on the future and resilience in mind. Throughout the design process, input from a multidisciplinary team of engineers, planners, and architects is essential to creating landmark bridge design that maximizes the benefits of these public assets for generations to come.

See our Pedestrian Bridge Work

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.

How an Adaptive Management Plan is Adding Resilience and Connectivity to St. Vrain Creek

Posted on March 28, 2024May 3, 2024 by Otak Staff

In the realm of environmental restoration, the concept of adaptive management has emerged as a crucial tool for ensuring the long-term success of projects. This approach, rooted in data analysis from monitoring a project site over time, allows for continuous improvement and informed decision-making to ultimately enhance the resilience of restored natural systems.

In this piece, we delve deeper into how an adaptive management plan furthers the understanding and benefits of multi-objective projects. We’ll also take a closer look at a stream in Boulder County, where the approach is helping to balance fish habitat benefits with water rights management and providing valuable insights to advance the practice for future projects across the industry.

Read on, or skip ahead:

What is Adaptive Management?
The Adaptive Management Process
Fish Passage, Water Rights, and Adaptive Management Along St. Vrain Creek
Learning Lessons from Adaptive Management

What is Adaptive Management?

Adaptive management is a systematic process that involves applying knowledge gained from ongoing monitoring. That knowledge is used to improve project specific decision-making with informed management actions that maintain project goals under uncertain conditions. The approach relies on data gained from monitoring over time to help inform ongoing project operations as well as advance scientific understanding through “learning by doing.”

Infographic showing steps to a successful adaptive management plan.

The Adaptive Management Process

The process for an adaptive management plan acknowledges the dynamic nature of river systems, enabling project adjustments to meet goals and ensure long-term success. By establishing a framework for iterative decision-making, this approach adds control to situations with high uncertainty.

With an emphasis on fostering collaboration among stakeholders, an adaptive management process aligns clearly-defined project elements with desired outcomes. Collectively, these elements allow for the flexibility of agile actions and fixes (if needed) to ensure the project continues to meet the design goals. Successfully designing a plan features some key steps.

Establishing Project Goals

During the design phase, defining project goals with a diverse set of stakeholders at the table is paramount. These goals typically encompass multiple priorities and are meant to set clear direction for the expected outcome of the project.

Stating Monitoring Objectives

With project goals in mind, a project team can then establish monitoring objectives aimed at accurately measuring how those goals are being met. These objectives serve as the basis for evaluating project performance over time and informing adaptive management actions.

Linking Monitoring Parameters

Once monitoring objectives are set, the question becomes, what specifically is going to be monitored? Monitoring parameters are measurable (either qualitative or quantitative) aspects of the project that can be aligned to monitoring objectives they aim to address. By defining these parameters, stakeholders can track progress, identify deviations from expected outcomes, and define triggers for adaptive management interventions.

Images of fish passage monitoring in the field as part of the adaptive management plan for St. Vrain Creek. — *Photo Credit: Boulder County Parks and Open Space*

Establishing Methodology

There are often several different ways to monitor a parameter. Establishing specific methods for a project outlines the techniques and tools used to address each monitoring parameter.

The selection of a method may be influenced by available budget, equipment available, as well as the importance of each individual parameter. By adhering to specific criteria, the methodology ensures the reliability, consistency, and repeatability of data collection, which could allow for not only project-specific year-to-year comparisons, but apples-to-apples comparisons between other adaptive management projects in the region.

Setting Thresholds

Thresholds are predetermined values for each parameter that, when surpassed, trigger adaptive management actions that aim to course-correct a project back to desired conditions. Setting thresholds can often be difficult, but with close coordination with stakeholders, project teams can determine values that at a minimum, maintain an ongoing conversation about potential project improvements.

Taking Adaptive Management Action

When triggered, adaptive management actions aim to address identified issues and improve project outcomes. Stakeholders collaborate to assess results, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and apply lessons learned to future decision-making processes. Adaptive management actions may vary in severity, ranging from minor adjustments to significant project revisions. By preparing for potential outcomes, stakeholders minimize uncertainty and maintain project resilience.

If all steps are taken properly, adaptive management actions should allow for agile improvements that return expected results. Altogether, this process ensures projects achieve and maintain goals while taking a proactive approach that avoids costly and time-consuming reactive adjustments.

Fish Passage, Water Rights, and Adaptive Management Along St. Vrain Creek for Boulder County Parks & Open Space

In 2013, Boulder County experienced historic and catastrophic flooding that damaged property and infrastructure and reshaped the land and riverscape of the St. Vrain Creek corridor. Rebuilding from the flood presented an opportunity to repair infrastructure and restore the stream and ditch connections in ways that improved resilience to future floods and reconnected habitat for native transition zone fishes.

This case study along St. Vrain Creek illustrates the application of adaptive management for two stream restoration and fish passage projects located three miles apart.

For both projects, Boulder County Parks and Open Space replaced flood-damaged channel-spanning diversion dams with fish-passable structures that maintained the delivery of decreed water rights at the proper time, with the overall goals of enhancing stream connectivity and resilience in the St. Vrain corridor.

A map showing the project area for St. Vrain Creek as well as examples of small-bodied, native fish. — *Credit: Boulder County Parks and Open Space*

Goals and Objectives

The adaptive management plan focuses on confirming project functionality based on project goals. These goals span water delivery, protecting infrastructure, improving fish passage and habitat, and the restoration of stream and floodplain connectivity.

Parameters

Monitoring parameters were identified based on plan objectives and included some general categories. Those include vertical and lateral channel stability, infrastructure functionality, fish presence and habitat, and vegetation. These and other parameters were chosen to serve as indicators of project performance and guide adaptive management interventions.

Methods

The methodologies selected to assess monitoring parameters included field observations and photographs, drone technology, stream measurements, and telemetry studies. Where available, use of existing standardized protocols ensure data accuracy and facilitate interdisciplinary assessments.

Adaptive Management Actions

As discussed, management actions are triggered when/if certain thresholds (identified within the plan) are met. These actions are coordinated with the stakeholder group for consideration of the benefit/impact that could come from implementing the management action. Adjustments over time that do not compromise project goals may not warrant intervention.

Possible management actions range in levels of urgency from simply verifying a parameter in question, to increased frequency of monitoring, to small-scale or large-scale modifications of project components. For St. Vrain Creek, these parameters cover a wide-range of project elements, including some highly-visible examples.

Large Wood Parameter

Large wood is an essential feature to enhance fish habitat and stabilize banks. As an established goal for Boulder County Parks and Open Space, large wood was included as part of the stream restoration design under the objective of enhancing fish habitat for regional species.

Goals	Objectives	Parameters	Methodology	Thresholds	Actions
Enhance native fish habitat in the channel	Improved fish passage and habitat	Large wood functionality	Field observation / Photo points	Reduction of in-channel large wood by 25%	Augmentation of large wood within the reach
				Flanking or instability of installed large wood structures	Re-key structures into bed and bank

As part of St. Vrain’s adaptive management plan, the functionality of the large wood is monitored through established photo points and field observations. This methodology allows the team to measure the way large wood moves through the site and potentially impacts fish habitat over time. If certain thresholds on the reduction of in-channel large wood or instability of installed structures are observed, action is taken to augment or re-key those structures into the bed and bank.

Before and after images of large wood at St. Vrain Creek.

Vertical Channel Stability Parameter

With the goals of maintaining water delivery and reliability and improving aquatic ecology, parameters were established in the adaptive management plan to ensure the vertical stability of the channel. The presence of an active head cut (caused by erosion) can quickly alter the channel slope and result in a channel steeper than the threshold for native fish and impact the ability to divert the appropriate amount of water.

Goals	Objectives	Parameters	Methodology	Thresholds	Actions
Improve aquatic ecology / Increase stream stability	Fish passage and habitat	Channel slope	Longitudinal profile survey	Channel slopes exceed 4.5%, without multiple, variable margin flow paths or roughness elements present	Creation of multiple low flow paths / Regrading of the channel (localized grading by hand or with machinery)
Maintain water delivery and reliability / Improve aquatic ecology / Increase stream stability	Water delivery / Fish passage and habitat / Channel stability	Vertical stability	Longitudinal profile survey / Photo points	No longer a low flow path for fish passage	Regrading of the channel (localized grading by hand or with machinery)
Maintain water delivery and reliability / Improve aquatic ecology / Increase stream stability	Water delivery / Fish passage and habitat / Channel stability	Boulder vane stability	Field observations / Photo points	Evidence of boulders within vane moving or scouring No longer a flow flow path for fish passage	Repair and stabilization of individual boulders Placement of bed material to restore passability

Field observations, photo points, and longitudinal profile surveys were established to monitor for evidence of scour or head cut development, as well as any changes in slope throughout the project area. Additionally, field observations are recorded within the engineered boulder vanes to identify any boulders that may have shifted in a manner that inhibits low flow pathways for fish passage. Based on findings, localized regrading, stabilization of boulders, and/or the placement of bed material to restore low flow passability can be implemented.

Image of boulder vane monitoring and a map of stream restoration features found at St. Vrain Creek.

Learning Lessons through Adaptive Management

Still early in the monitoring process (two years of data), insights from the adaptive management plan in collaboration with Boulder County Parks & Open Space will be used to highlight the success of diversion/fish passage designs, potential for improvements in design, and the importance of adaptive management. By monitoring these innovative approaches and applying lessons learned, Boulder County is helping pave the way for sustainable stream restoration practices region wide.

Adaptive management offers a robust framework for navigating the complexities of stream restoration projects. By embracing iterative decision-making, stakeholders can achieve a balance between environmental conservation and water rights management, ensuring the long-term resilience and connectivity of natural systems. The case of Boulder County serves as a testament to the transformative potential of adaptive management for not just one community, but for the greater industry while inspiring future innovations and best practices.

See More Natural Systems Work

ACEC Washington Award Winners 2024

Picture of the project team accepting an award at the 2024 ACEC Washington event. — *Photo Credit: ACEC WA*

We’re delighted to share some additional award wins – this time for our project work in the Puget Sound region. The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Washington has awarded two projects from our bridge engineering team with Silver and Gold-level recognition!

ACEC Washington represents the gold standard for the business of engineering in Washington state, creating an environment that encourages quality, safe, impactful, and sustainable solutions for both the built and natural environments. They are the leading organization for promoting engineering companies through professional knowledge and exceptional services for communities across the state, and we’re grateful to be recognized on behalf of our teams who accomplished this award-winning work.

Learn more about each winning project on their respective project pages, and hear directly from our clients on what makes these wins so special.

Dungeness River Bridge – Best in State Gold Award: Social, Economic, and Sustainable Design Considerations

As the firm providing lead design consulting services, bridge engineering, architecture and landscape architecture, and building structural engineering, our approach to this project was creating a space where critical infrastructure and the environment’s natural surroundings intersect. This created a meaningful and useful finished product for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe based on their input and desired outcomes:

“Aesthetically and functionally, the bridge is superb. We are thrilled with the innovative wishbone design, and the flow of traffic merges and splits seamlessly. The Tribe routinely receives rave reviews about the bridge from trail and Nature Center users.”

– Randy Johnson, Habitat Program Manager for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe

Willapa Littell Bridge – Best in State Silver Award: Successful Fulfillment of Owner/Client Needs

As prime consultant on this project – Otak performed a variety of essential services including project management, survey, environmental services, bridge and civil engineering, landscape architecture, stormwater management, and CMI work. The challenge for the client was mitigating safety hazards thanks to a highly popular trail combined with a dangerous at-grade crossing on a high-speed state highway while addressing aesthetic concerns among community members. With special thanks to our partners in overcoming speed bumps on the way to final delivery, the project now stands as a testament to innovative engineering that not only functions well, but is also a sight to behold:

“Constructing a 250’ span bridge over a busy highway with little to no lay down/staging area was a challenging endeavor. Otak produced a design that satisfied permit requirements, design requirements, and was aesthetically pleasing, definitely exceeding our expectations.”

– Tim Bell, Project Manager for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

View the rest of the winners on the Seattle DJC’s official website here, along with their write up on the Dungeness Bridge and river restoration here!