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

Posted on 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:

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.
Students in the field as part of 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 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:

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
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

A Coffee with… Amanda Owings (Transportation Engineer) and Greg Mines (Structures Engineer)

Posted on by Otak Staff

With many disciplines working together on a variety of projects, perhaps the best way to get a feel for a firm’s impact is simply, a coffee with… the people doing the work.

This video series features experts sharing insights gained during their time in the AEC industry, with an emphasis on the importance of collaboration to meeting a common goal of creating better communities.

In this edition, we sit down with a leader of our transportation engineering group and a member of our structural engineering group to hear how their work intersects to create infrastructure that gives people the independence to move.

Find out in the video and its transcript below:

Introduction

Greg: The interface between, you know, roadway and civil and bridges is really about that, that connection of community.

Amanda: Well, that urban built environment was really cool to me too. You know, being able to actually walk through your projects as an engineer drive by.

Greg: ‘I did that,’ right?

Amanda: Exactly.

My name is Amanda Owings. I am the transportation and infrastructure business unit lead for the Oregon and Southwest Washington offices.

Greg: My name is Greg Mines. I am a structures engineer in our bridge group out of Vancouver.

What excites you about the work you do?

0:42 [Skip to this chapter]

Greg: I mean, bridges are both, you know, literal and metaphorical. So you have, you know, like you’re connecting, you know, connecting communities. And then also, we’ve done a few projects replacing connections that were lost.

Or you’re either trying to help people move through an environment or you’re trying to connect different communities with each other in different areas of community.

Amanda: And adding on to that is giving people options when they don’t have any, right, If they have an alternate way to get somewhere or an independent way to move about their community.

That’s what I think is really heartwarming about the work that we do is that you are now eliminating barriers. You’re giving people independence to move. And that’s something that everybody wants to have. They want that freedom.

What has your path been like in the field?

1:30 [Skip to this chapter]

Greg: I’ve worn many hats at Otak. I started out doing bridges and then for a while actually went and did some buildings for the national parks. And I get, I get a lot of projects that don’t fit in any particular bin of, of someone’s specialty. So I’ve [done things like] gone scuba diving for projects etc.

I’ve been here for 14 years. But why don’t you kind of fill me in on, on kind of your history with the company?

Amanda: Oh, sure. I started at Otak in 2000. That was my first job out of college. So I was an EIT, worked into my PE as well as project management, and then found that I wanted to try a little bit on the public side.

So for 9 years I was working at two different agencies and really kind of missed consulting, missed the networking, missed working with multidisciplinary teams. So it’s been really nice coming back and being able to work with lots of different people.

Greg: What’s some of the like perspective that you brought from that that public work and, and working for who is frequently our client and coming back again?

Amanda: It’s really helpful to know where their pain points are and what things that they struggle with getting through their councils or through budget or really just working with the public.

So when, when it comes to how a design is put together or how a project is presented, if the public can’t quite understand it then and we need to redesign it. And so I, I have that perspective that’s really helpful just to see it from how the agency is going to be able to pay for it, explain it, maintain it in the future.

What’s it like working closely with the public and local communities?

3:21 [Skip to this chapter]

Amanda: Well, the urban planning side of my work is quite rewarding because it does create projects and work with the communities directly. So the community is really giving their voice to what the design team is working on, and it’s really does make for a much more creative project in the end, and you’re really doing something that the public wants.

One of the communities that I worked in is that there was an intersection that had lots of crashes. It was really unsafe and we worked really hard to get that intersection repaired. And now it’s not even on the safety list and nobody ever thinks about that intersection anymore.

It’s those kinds of things that it’s like, you know, you’ve done a good job when nobody talks about it anymore. A backwards way of finding pride in your projects. But it’s true.

What are some favorite projects you’ve worked on?

4:20 [Skip to this chapter]

Amanda: We had a project for Washington County, was Olson Rd. And it was one of my very first projects and it had taken almost two years to really get through all the design. There’s like 100 driveways to sign, lots of public outreach.

But that project sticks with me because I can drive it. In fact, I drive it as many times as I can.

The second project that was really rewarding to me was a project in Tigard through their downtown, and we submitted and got a national APWA award for it.

So it was on the cover of the magazine that we really need to see.

Greg: We did one project in Olympic National Park. Crystal Creek Bridge is the name of it, and it was a suspension bridge. It was asymmetrical. It was a design build project. So we’re working with the contractor really closely and making the decisions.

So there was kind of this additional insight that we had during design and it came out and it’s a really cool bridge.

How does your work benefit from a multidisciplinary environment?

5:30 [Skip to this chapter]

Amanda: It is important to work with other disciplines in the industry because it does help you kind of foresee some of the issues that you know are going to be coming. And the more that you can relate with their work kind of makes you design more stuff that much better.

It just goes that much more smoothly.

Greg: Especially early on in a project. I feel like sometimes you’ll get like a maybe a plan set and, and you can tell that it’s not a project yet. It’s four or five individual projects, each discipline kind of doing their own.

And then you start doing that collaboration where you, you sit down and you know, you’re all, if you do a plan sheet turn or whatever, but you trade and then you look at everybody else’s and you’re like, ‘oh, hey, I think we can change this here.’ And then when you start to blend that together.

Amanda: Or asking the questions, ‘why did you do it this way? What can I do to make this a little bit easier for you?’

Greg: And working with the same people you kind of get to know, this is something that, you know, we looked at previously with, with Amanda… she can probably solve this.

The deep bench that we have of that expertise in and, and have it all just in house, You’re just blown away by what you can find.

Amanda: I love that I can pick up the phone and call you anytime when I have a structural question that’s not even related to a project that we’re working on together. But just having that access to you or your team is really helpful to our transportation group.

See Our Transportation and Structural Work

4 Reasons Capital Improvement Projects (of Any Size) Benefit from an Owner’s Representative

Posted on by Otak Staff

Imagine an orchestra without a conductor. Musicians may play their individual parts well, but without cohesion. The result? Chaos. Managing capital improvement projects can be just as complex—without the right leadership, even small projects can easily go off track. That’s where an owner’s representative comes in. Acting as the project’s conductor, they represent the owner’s interests, allowing clients to focus on their day-to-day responsibilities and engage more meaningfully as a stakeholder in the project.

It’s clear why large projects benefit from an owner’s rep. Multiple contractors, complex requirements, and tight timelines make coordination especially crucial. But for smaller projects, it may not always seem as necessary. With rising costs, many owners think skipping an owner’s rep is a smart way to save. After all, many organizations have capable project managers on staff. The question is: Can the organization’s internal staff juggle project facilitation and oversight alongside their primary duties without compromising quality and the ability to manage risks for both?

Infographic showing 4 reasons capital projects of any size benefit from an owner's representative.

The reality is that there are no truly “small” projects. Even modest ones involve the steps of choosing the right consultants, managing budgets and schedules, and navigating the design and construction phases. Smaller projects often have similar complexities as larger ones, such as coordinating with multiple stakeholders or managing challenging logistics. In fact, larger projects can sometimes be more straightforward thanks to broader teams and experienced partners!

In this article, we dive into the role of an owner’s representative on capital improvement projects, with an eye on four key ways it adds value, even to “small” projects.

1. Aligning Clear, Attainable Goals with the Client’s Vision

Hiring an owner’s rep on capital improvement projects ensures that the finer details are managed while the owner’s vision remains front and center. They help define priorities and ensure that the project stays true to those goals. For instance, if an owner wants to prioritize local contractors or work with historically underrepresented firms, an owner’s rep can guide those outcomes.

North Valley Complex: Oregon DAS

See the Project

Take a closer look at how, after the Beachie Creek Fire destroyed 193,556 acres of Northwest Oregon, a creative approach found a positive outcome to the disaster while meeting the client’s vision around locally-sourced materials.

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With a focus on budget and schedule management, the owner’s rep allows the client to stay focused on their mission while maintaining transparency. This accountability is invaluable for both private organizations and taxpayer-funded entities, as it demonstrates fiscal responsibility. Plus, a well-planned master budget provides confidence as owners better understand their financial exposure for the total project costs, not just direct construction, and make informed decisions when changes arise.

Engaging an owner’s rep early can also offer guidance on project delivery methods, like when to choose design-build over CM/GC or design-bid-build. Their expertise helps streamline the process, ensuring the right partners are involved at the right time.

2. Expanding Resources and Building Relationships for Future Projects

If you foresee more capital projects on the horizon, working with an owner’s rep on a smaller project is an excellent way to “test drive” the relationship. It allows owners an opportunity to assess their approach, communication style, and fit, setting the stage for future collaboration. This effort can lead to establishing a trusted, lasting partnership that grows with an organization’s capital program.

Owner’s reps also offer a seamless way to bring specialized resources into a project. For public agencies, which often face long hiring timelines and competitive searches for qualified candidates, an owner’s rep contract provides instant access to essential expertise and staff augmentation. Rather than managing multiple RFPs or contracts for inspections, commissioning, or early due diligence, an owner’s rep can efficiently subcontract these services, saving time and streamlining the process. In smaller projects, where time is money, this efficiency is particularly beneficial and supports timely outcomes.

3. Enhancing Communication and Coordination with Stakeholders

Bringing the right team together at the right time can make or break a project. A skilled owner’s rep fosters open communication, innovation, problem solving, conflict resolution, and keeps everyone aligned.

For example, on the Vancouver Clinic expansion projects, Otak as owner’s rep led a collaborative project team environment, resulting in a project delivered three weeks early and $3 million under budget—even during the challenges of the pandemic.

View of Vancourver Clinic project exterior
The Vancouver Clinic: Ridgefield Location

Make no mistake, challenges occur on every project. Having the right combination of leadership, collaboration and engagement determines whether these challenges add to or detract from project outcomes.

4. Finding Efficiencies in Project Processes

With their experience managing multiple projects, owner’s reps often spot efficiencies that save time and money. This can be especially important when managing public funds such as school bonds.

An owner’s rep can anticipate supply chain issues or regional labor shortages and adjust the project plan accordingly. For instance, during the Medford School District’s Oakdale Middle School project, utilization of an owner’s rep expedited the procurement of long-lead items like window systems to avoid delays.

Interior view of a classroom as part of a capital improvement project for Oakdale Middle School
Oakdale Middle School (Photo Credit: Josh Partee)

A Partner That Fits the Project

With capital improvement projects covering a wide range of objectives, Otak’s owner representation services are scalable to fit each project’s unique needs. The group has helped clients with everything from drafting RFPs for an HOA’s paving contractor to offering design phase management on a county health services project until the agency felt comfortable taking over to manage in-house. Using a tailored approach means clients get the expertise they need when they need it, whether that’s for a single phase or the entire project.

Capital improvement projects—large or small—can be complicated but incredibly rewarding. By partnering with an owner’s representative, a project gains an advocate who understands it’s overarching vision and manages the details necessary to reach it. An owner’s representative orchestrates complexities at any scale so project owners can stay focused on the primary mission, giving confidence in completing projects with lasting impact.

See Our Owner’s Rep Work

The Power of Mentoring in the Modern Workplace: Driving Connection and Growth in Comprehensive Project Management

Posted on by Otak Staff

In today’s dynamic work environment, building strong connections, fostering professional growth, and creating quality engagement is more important than ever. Within our PM/CM group, a unique approach has been built on the time-tested principle of mentoring to close the gap on today’s challenges to professional development.

Through the Development Advisor Program, mentoring has been reinforced as one of the most impactful ways to cultivate organizational values around community building, while strengthening team culture and their work with clients. Since launching the program in 2019, it has become a cornerstone of the group’s strategy for professional development, employee retention, and creating a supportive workplace culture.

“I am grateful for the impact of our mentoring program… it’s been invaluable having our Development Advisors as an augmentation of our leadership team to stay connected to what truly matters to our staff beyond the day-to-day responsibilities of their projects. This program has helped us bridge the gaps of a hybrid and remote environment to engage meaningfully with one another’s challenges and career aspirations. It has truly created a shared space for growth and learning together.”

Sarah Oaks, Director of Otak CPM

Why the Mentoring Program Was Developed

Back in 2019, the PM/CM team sought to improve the consistency in how professional development and mentoring were approached in a quickly evolving work environment.

It’s common for staff to work with one supervisor for three to four years on a project then transition to a new supervisor when deployed to a new project and client. With different supervisors there naturally would be variances in approach to mentorship and on the job training. The result could at times be a range of experiences depending on a person’s placement on project teams. To address this, the team’s new approach entailed designing a structured mentoring program that would provide every team member with the opportunity for consistent personal connection, professional advocacy, and growth.

Graphic with a quote from Sheri Mishler on the Otak CPM Development Advisor Program.
Graphic with quote from Andrew Lent on the Otak CPM Professional Development Program.

The initiative would become a vital tool in unforeseen and unprecedented circumstances. As the program took shape, it would keep the team connected through one of the most challenging periods for businesses globally—the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

During a time of uncertainty and remote work, the mentoring program became a lifeline for employees, providing them with consistent support, encouragement, and a sense of community. Since then, the program has grown to include more than thirty mentees and eleven development advisors and continues to grow.

How the Program Works

At the heart of the Development Advisor Program is the 360° performance evaluation process. Through this, mentees receive valuable feedback from a variety of sources, including their direct supervisors, clients, industry partners, and their colleagues. This feedback serves as a critical tool for professional development, allowing mentees to gain deeper insights into their strengths and areas for growth. More importantly, it provides transparency on where they can improve, helping them create a clear roadmap for their personal and professional development.

Graphic with quote from Judith Moses on the Otak CPM Professional Development Program.
Graphic with quote from Brian Hardebeck on the Otak CPM Professional Development Program.

The Development Advisor Program isn’t only about performance evaluation—it’s fundamentally about connection. Mentees and mentors meet on a monthly basis to connect on a personal level.

In addition to personal connection, this provides meaningful time to discuss any challenges, celebrate areas of growth, review goals, and take time for the mentor/mentee to connect on other meaningful topics they have top of mind. These regular check-ins offer mentees an advocate for their growth and development, someone who not only helps set and achieve career goals but also acts as a trusted sounding board. This mentorship fosters a deeper sense of belonging within the team, contributing to more engagement and satisfaction at work.

The Impact of Mentorship

The results of the mentoring program have been notable both internally and externally. Mentees and mentors consistently report feeling more connected to their colleagues and the organization. They value the advocacy, guidance, and feedback they receive, which in turn has had a positive effect on their professional development and overall workplace engagement. Mentors will share how the role has been an enriching experience for them as well, making this program truly a win-win experience.

Graphic with quote from Kevin Moisan on the Otak CPM Professional Development Program.
Graphic with quote from Mike Scott on the Otak CPM Professional Development Program.

The Development Advisor Program has uniquely played a crucial role in employee retention. In a time when workforce turnover has been high across all industries, having a structured system of support and development has proven to be a key factor in keeping talented professionals engaged and committed to the organization. By providing a safe space for team members to connect, it supports awareness and communication from the field to mentors. The result is greater cohesion and a sense of belonging amongst the group as a whole.

Mentorship of staff has intrinsic value for clients as well. When staff engagement is high, this translates to better outcomes for projects. Team members have vision for where their talent contributes the most value and they find ways to express that value in the context of their roles and work. As collaborative engagement increases so does problem-solving, innovation and risk management – staff are incentivized to express their leadership, ask questions and contribute to team outcomes.

This program has become a core part of the project management culture, driving a sense of purpose and connection that permeates through the team. By focusing on both personal and professional development, a workplace environment has been created where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.

Looking Ahead

The Development Advisor Program is now in its fifth year. Looking to build on its success in the future, the program aims to expand its reach and influence growing organically as the team grows. In addition to day-to-day mentoring activities, the mentor team also serves as a valued think tank for business unit leadership around supporting team and people-forward strategies. In a time where the needs of the workforce are constantly changing, having a cohort of mentors to be thought partners for leadership has been invaluable in shaping strategy and investment for approaching the growth of our most important resource, people.

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

Posted on 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:

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.

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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.

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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

A Coffee with… Gabriel Kruse (Landscape Architect) and Chris Maykut (Senior Designer)

Posted on by Otak Staff

With many disciplines working together on a variety of projects, perhaps the best way to get a feel for a firm’s impact is simply, a coffee with… the people doing the work.

This video series features experts sharing insights gained during their time in the AEC industry, with an emphasis on the importance of collaboration to meeting a common goal of creating better communities.

In this edition of ‘a coffee with…’, we learn from a landscape architect and a senior designer within architecture about the importance of designing and placemaking for people’s lives. Find out in the video and its transcript below:

Improving People’s Lives through Impactful Design

I think we’re changing lives, making them better.

One of the things that I love to see is when I go to one of these places that I’ve designed and there’s a family out there or kids swinging on the swing set. You’re seeing this idea you had in your brain come to fruition and being enjoyed by the community… it’s one of the best things.

My name is Chris Maykut. I’m a senior designer here at Otak working on the architecture team and I’ve been here for five years.

I’m Gabriel Kruse, I’m a landscape architect. I’ve been with Otak for almost nine years.

What is the Importance of Collaboration between Disciplines on Projects?

[Skip to this chapter]

I really do believe this that there’s, you know, there’s no “I” in team… that collaboration is very key to a successful project.

He’s in landscape, I’m in architecture, I’ve got the built form, he’s got the natural form, but we also kind of come together and there’s this blended area.

So, I think we both have a job of imagining, creating, and developing places for people to inhabit. And I think that’s, you know, really important, and I think collaboration makes that a much stronger end result.

We meet, like, what’s it at 5 feet outside, 5 feet outside the building? Yeah.

But you know I think on the bigger projects we have multiple buildings… we create the space in between the buildings together.

I think for me as a landscape architect and working with Chris and architecture, we’re trying to make really great places for people to live. Going home to a great piece of architecture, going through that landscape experience, also just having all those all those pieces working together in harmony is a real goal of ours.

How Does a Multidisciplinary Environment Create Unique Opportunities to Work Together?

[Skip to this chapter]

I think of Otak as a family, it’s kind of corny. But I have one project that the landscape consultant is outside of Otak, and another project where the landscape is Gabe or someone else on this team… I can coordinate and communicate with in in both situations quite well. But I feel just the family atmosphere of Otak, I feel like I can be more open and more responsive in communicating back and forth.

We both use a 3D modeling software and we’re both pretty good at using that software. So, we can exchange models together and say what do you think of this?

You know, he’s got this big building model and a lot of things going on in there.

And then I’ll take a piece of it and say, ‘hey, give me that model,’ and I’ll take it and then I’ll put my landscape design in there and I’ll send it back to him… drop that in there see what you think and then Chris [and I] we’ll just kind of work together back and forth that way massage it back and forth, massage it back and forth.

Not everyone designs that way, but I think Chris and I both have that. We’ll use that 3D modelling as a tool, as a design tool, not just a presentation tool. I think that, yeah, that is one way I think we really work together well.

What is Most Exciting about Working in the Design Industry?

[Skip to this chapter]

Making someone feel like they have a home and it’s just not a place that they’re sleeping at. They’re having birthday parties. They’re, you know, sharing fun times with friends and family.

And, you know… we’re helping them create memories for their lives here at Otak.

We do a lot of multifamily and specifically affordable right now. I really enjoy that as opposed to doing, you know, high end condos in downtown Portland. There’s more meaning to it and… that gets me excited to come into work everyday.

Designing a park, then going to see it afterwards and seeing people use it; enjoy it; and then talking to the neighborhood and [seeing] just how much people appreciate open space… It’s a really important part of neighborhood design and community design.

There are a lot of when that’s where, you know, all the kids spend a lot of their time and that’s what I really look forward to.

See Our Planning and Architecture Work

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

Posted on 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?

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.

GoalsObjectivesParametersMethodologyThresholdsActions
Enhance native fish habitat in the channelImproved fish passage and habitatLarge wood functionalityField observation / Photo pointsReduction of in-channel large wood by 25%Augmentation of large wood within the reach
Flanking or instability of installed large wood structuresRe-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.

GoalsObjectivesParametersMethodologyThresholdsActions
Improve aquatic ecology / Increase stream stabilityFish passage and habitatChannel slopeLongitudinal profile surveyChannel slopes exceed 4.5%, without multiple, variable margin flow paths or roughness elements presentCreation 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 stabilityWater delivery / Fish passage and habitat / Channel stabilityVertical stabilityLongitudinal profile survey / Photo pointsNo longer a low flow path for fish passageRegrading of the channel (localized grading by hand or with machinery)
Maintain water delivery and reliability / Improve aquatic ecology / Increase stream stabilityWater delivery / Fish passage and habitat / Channel stabilityBoulder vane stabilityField observations / Photo pointsEvidence 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

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.”

Field Notes: A First-of-its-Kind Floating Transit Project through the Eyes of an Engineer

Posted on by Otak Staff
Graphic with byline for Adreanna Broussard.

Field Notes is a recurring series where impactful aspects of projects are brought into focus from the field, along with the people who make it possible.

There’s something special about transportation projects and the impact connectivity can have on a community. With greater connectivity comes greater access to healthier lifestyles, vital resources, and a wider range of opportunities. For public transit and infrastructure, this is especially true.

The Sound Transit East Link Extension project, which is designed to expand the light rail connection between Seattle, WA and its surrounding area, certainly fits this notion. As an analyst within our project controls group, our team has had the opportunity to bring efficiencies through tools and data to the development of this unique public asset.

I was honored to also have an opportunity to visit the project site itself, which I’d spent the last few years of my life working on from afar. What I found in this one-of-a-kind rail transport that features a floating bridge only reinforced my view of this feat of engineering, and my pride in being part of it bringing value to the community it aims to service.

Picture of Adreanna Broussard, a project controls engineer, onsite at the Sound Transit East Link Extension.
Adreanna on-site at the Sound Transit East Link Extension.
Image of one portion of the tracks at the Sound Transit East Link Extension.
The light rail has a combination of Direct-Fixation Tracks and Ballasted Tracks through the tunnels. Furthering the unique design of the 14-mile run connecting Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond.
A map showing the East Link Extension as part of the larger Sound Transit rail system.
Source: soundtransit.org
Graphic featuring a quote from Adreanna Broussard on the Sound Transit East Link Extension project.

Welcome to Judkins Park Station: Through the Eyes of An Engineer

Judkins Park Station (or JPS), located on 23rd Ave S, in the center of I-90, is one of the stations within the E130 scope and one of ten under construction within the 14-mile Eastlink Extension.

The access to this station allows the community to commute from Seattle to South Bellevue via light rail. JPS is right across the street from the Northwest Jimi Hendrix Park and is designed for people to walk, bike, or bus directly to the station!

Experiencing the East Link Light Rail

The Light Rail runs from the International District in Seattle, through Mount Baker Tunnel, to Mercer Island and concludes at Redmond. The Eastlink Extension creates yet another way for folks to commute without leaving behind a carbon imprint on our environment. The station itself is beautiful, and has a special flow of artwork and intentional landscaping throughout.

A Unique Design to Connect Communities

In the eye of an engineer, the project as a whole is a tangible form of beauty. The I-90 bridge is made up of several pontoons with a density less than water, allowing them to literally float! As astonishing as that may be, the bridge carries large volumes of traffic flow daily and will soon be carrying the additional weight of the light speed rail.

One of the most fascinating pieces of this experience is that the design of the light speed rail had to account for the water displacement caused by the weight of the materials and equipment required to build the tracks for the light speed rail. Additionally, the design had to account for the respective impacts on the bridge itself prior to construction.

Picture of artwork found at a station as part of the Sound Transit East Link Extension.
One of the many things that make Judkins Park Station special is the artwork found throughout the station.