Thomas M. Rachford, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE
Robert W. Scrafford, P.E.
Robert E. Adamski, P.E., BCEE, F.SAME, F.ASCE, served as a panelist on the United Methodist Church Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Webcast for water and sanitation. Providing awareness and education on proper health and hygiene is a key component to UMCOR water and sanitation programs, which encourage local resident ownership through community development committees. Adamski was recommended to UMCOR by American Water Works Association (AWWA) President-Elect, Charles Anderson; and by AWWA International Committee Chair, John Batten. 
Robert J. Bible, P.E.
R. Scott Hughes, P.E.More coverage:
Innovative, eco-friendly, and cost-saving technologies are featured throughout this edition. Mid-Atlantic, national, and international water resource initiatives are also discussed.
News
Best of the Year in Construction
Mid-Atlantic Industrial Project of the Year
Two Gannett Fleming assignments featuring diverse transit facility and watershed protection solutions were named construction projects of the year. These cross-discipline efforts feature firsts in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) and spill containment.
GRTC bus operations and maintenance
facility under construction.
Mid-Atlantic Construction magazine named the GRTC Transit System Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility "Project of the Year" in the Industrial Category in its Best of 2010 awards competition. By combining functionality with sustainable design, Gannett Fleming assisted GRTC Transit System in achieving more efficient daily operations of its fleet in its new, state-of-the-art, cost-effective, and green facility.
GRTC facility in operation.
The recently completed $37 million bus operations and maintenance complex is located on Belt Boulevard in Richmond, Va. A fully functional facility, the complex services a fleet of approximately 188 buses (standard 40-foot buses, future articulated buses, and over-the-road buses), para-transit vehicles, and vans, which serve the greater Richmond area.
The facility is the first public building in Richmond to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council for LEED® Silver Level Certification. By incorporating green components into the facility, Gannett Fleming helped GRTC Transit System decrease operating costs and reduce its carbon footprint. [press release]
Midwest Transportation Project of the Year
Midwest Construction magazine named the Interstate 80 (I-80) Widening at Meander Reservoir “Project of the Year” in the Transportation Category in its Best of 2010 awards competition. Gannett Fleming served as the engineer of record for the final design of the roadway widening and replacement of eight bridges, including an innovative spill containment system at the Meander Reservoir in Austintown, Ohio.
This multiple award-winning project protects the drinking water supply for more than 220,000 people. A first-of-its-kind for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Gannett Fleming-designed spill containment system prevents hazardous material seepage from I-80 into the 2,010-acre reservoir. [press release]
Conservation Engineering Accolades
Conowingo Fishing Wharf
Two Gannett Fleming environmental projects were recognized nationally this Fall at the Association of Conservation Engineers (ACE) Annual Conference in Chattanooga, Tenn. The Valley Forge National Historic Park (VFNHP) water main and restoration effort (Chester County, Pa.) and Exelon’s fishing and recreational enhancements at the Conowingo Dam (Darlington, Md.) both received ACE Carl Anderson Conservation Project Engineering Awards. These multi-disciplinary Gannett Fleming projects pooled engineering, recreation, environmental management and water resources to implement creative design and construction solutions.
Bioengineering Innovation
Owned and operated by Aqua Pennsylvania, a 36-inch water transmission main within VFNHP became exposed due to surface erosion where it crossed a drainage channel known as “Thropp’s Creek.” Gannett Fleming’s project team was tasked to restore pipe cover, rehabilitate the required length of existing stream bed, prevent future erosion, and protect VFNHP integrity. Gannett Fleming’s Valley Forge team developed several alternatives. The selected design included constructing a series of drop pools with specifically-arranged quarry rock extending downstream of the pipeline. Rock and environmentally friendly bioengineering techniques enabled the stream to maintain its natural integrity.
Fishing Accessibility
Schweiger (right) and Neast (second from right)
on the wharf.
Gannett Fleming provided Exelon with planning, design, permitting, resident engineering, and construction support for a new fishing wharf at the Conowingo Dam. The wharf is located below Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River in Darlington, Md. In addition to the handicap-accessible fishing wharf, Gannett Fleming designed a new parking area and rustic trail on the east side of the Susquehanna River along Octoraro Creek in Cecil County, Md. The trail now provides fishing access to the eastern shoreline of the river. This project was spearheaded by Paul G. Schweiger, P.E., engineering manager; and Eric C. Neast, P.E., water resource manager. Neast also attended the ACE conference to receive a Carl Anderson “Award of Merit” for the Exelon project.
Regs/Programs
Design-Build Delivered Success in Missouri
Missouri American Water improved and expanded its nearly 120-year-old Blendville Water Treatment Plant (WTP) to meet water quality regulations and the growing demands of residents within the Joplin, MO, water system. Expanded from 16 million-gallons-per-day (mgd) to 21.5 mgd, the Blendville WTP features modern and eco-friendly treatment technologies. The WTP remained in service during this project, which was completed ahead of schedule using a design-build (D-B) project delivery system.
Plate settler installation
The D-B approach enabled all parties to collaborate from project conception through completion. As engineering consultant, Gannett Fleming worked with Reynolds, Inc. (D-B contractor), and subconsultants to provide Missouri American with comprehensive design, surveying, permitting, construction, and a start-up commissioning plan.
Hypochlorite generators provide reliable
service at 1,500 pounds per day.
Gannett Fleming designed a process building including plate settlers equipped with vacuum-type collectors to remove settled water residuals. Ultra violet disinfection was installed to treat Cryptosporidium and harmful water bacteria. On-site hypochlorite generation replaced potentially hazardous gas chlorine. A new liquid lime system reduced mineral scale build up and eliminated dust associated with the existing plant’s dry lime process.
Gannett Fleming assisted with materials development during the project to improve community communications, while overcoming complex construction and permitting challenges. Residents were provided with uninterrupted water service as the facility remained in operation during construction. State and federal regulatory agencies were engaged to solve new technology and floodplain permitting issues while site space was maximized. Blendville provided a D-B blueprint for success.
FEMA Mapping Support
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Map Modernization (Map Mod) Program has been updating flood hazard data for flood prone areas nationwide since 2004, an initiative which Gannett Fleming fully supports. [details] Starting last year, FEMA is transitioning from Map Mod to its new Risk MAP (Mapping, Assessment, and Planning) program.
FEMA plans to leverage the successes of Map Mod and further enhance the usability and value of flood hazard mapping through Risk MAP. As a member of FEMA’s Production and Technical Services contractor, Gannett Fleming is partnering with FEMA to utilize Risk Map and further reduce our nation’s flood risk.
Risk MAP products integrate accurate flood hazard data developed under Map Mod into watershed-based risk assessments and mitigation planning efforts, further reducing risks to life and property. Risk MAP is intended to move local community partnerships beyond simply mapping flood hazard data. The program provides communities with a bigger role in maintaining current and accurate floodmaps while mitigating future flood losses.
Multiple Watershed Grants Awarded
Pennsylvania American Water (PAW) awarded approximately $34,000 through its 2010 Environmental Grant Program to support nine community-based organizations' watershed improvement projects throughout Pennsylvania. Grant winners were evaluated and selected based on environmental need, innovation, community engagement, and sustainability.
One of the recipients, the Yellow Breeches Watershed Association used its $1,900 PAW grant to purchase advanced water testing equipment. The largest investor-owned water utility in the state, PAW initiated the grant program in 2005.
Papers/Presentations
Diverse Dam Initiatives
Gannett Fleming dam and geotechnical engineers exhibited at the 2010 Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) National Conference in Seattle, Washington. Presentations are listed below.
Presentation Topics:
"Remediation of Deep Seated Abutment Movement at Nesbitt Dam" (Cari R. Beenenga, P.E.; David M. Snyder, P.E.; and Edward J. Barben, E.I.T.)
"Specifications for Rock Mass Grouting" (Trent L. Dreese, P.E.)
"Solutions for Improving Fish Passage and Public Safety at Low Head Dams" (Paul G. Schweiger, P.E.; Donald P. Roarabaugh, P.E.; and Eric C. Neast, P.E.)
"Water-Proofing Dams" (Robert A. Kline, Jr., P.E.)
"Utilizing Geophysics in Auxiliary Spillway Evaluation; New Creek Site 14 Dam, Grant County, W.Va." (Cari R. Beenenga, P.E.)
Feature Poster Presentation:
“Hawi No. 3 Dam – Meeting Operational Requirements and Dam Safety Through Innovative and Practical Measures” (S. Nasir Raza, P.E., C.F.M.; Dean Durkee, Ph.D., P.E.; Andrew Lynch, E.I.T.; and Stewart S. Vaghti, P.E., C.F.M., LEED® AP)
New Rapid Response Mapping Feature
As explained by GeoDecisions Project Manager, Jonathan Greiner, in his presentation at the Pennsylvania Section AWWA Fall Meeting, the award-winning Rapid Response System now features a web mapping interface. This enhanced functionality enables users to select one or multiple alert areas and view customer information via an online aerial, street, or hybrid map. [system details]
Greiner also wrote an article discussing the web mapping interface that appeared in the December edition of The Authority, the Pennsylvania Municipal Authority Association (PMAA) bi-monthly magazine. PMAA provides Rapid Response as a service to its members at a substantially discounted rate.
