identifications and qualifications

INDOT 1705 | LaPorte District: Item No. 5 Roadway Rehabilitation Projects May 23, 2017 Identifications and Qualifications –

Identifications and Qualifications Indiana Firm with a National Reputation Committed to Exceeding the District’s Expectations

We at Strand Associates, Inc.® appreciate the opportunity to present our team’s qualifications in response to the Indiana Department of Transportation RFP 1705, Item 5. We have provided exceptional civil and environmental engineering services to our clients since 1946. Our Columbus, Indiana, office has provided services to INDOT and local agency transportation clients for more than 38 years. Our designs have gained local and national acclaim and our firm has consistently been included in Engineering News-Record’s list of the top 500 design firms; currently, our rank is 178. Our Corporate Mission states that we are dedicated to helping our clients succeed through excellence in engineering. In accordance with this mission, we are committed to working with the LaPorte District to develop these Road Rehabilitation projects in a manner that exceeds the District’s expectations.

Project Team and Capacity Design Team with Significant Staff Availability Assures District of Ample Capacity to Complete These Assignments

This is an exciting time to be a consulting partner with INDOT. Additional transportation funding recently approved by the Indiana legislature allows for a significant expansion of INDOT’s Capital Improvement Program. Through this invigorated improvement program, the Department will need to rely on consultant partners with the capacity and expertise to deliver projects in a timely manner. With 34 employees in Indiana, and 380 across the Midwest, we offer a wealth of talent and robust capacity to deliver these three road rehabilitation projects successfully. Understanding the importance of capacity in the current environment, we have teamed with The Etica Group/PCS Engineers, Inc. for this project development contract. In addition to being prequalified for Title Work, Etica/PCS adds additional Topographic Survey, Utility Coordination, and Right of Way Plan Development capacity to our team. Additionally, we have included trusted team member Earth Exploration, Inc. for the Geotechnical and Pavement Analyses, which will be an important component of these projects. Our three firms are currently working together on assignments under our active Fort Wayne District On-Call contracts (150804b and 160203a) and our Seymour District On-Call contract (160310c). The illustration below indicates the organization of our team for this contract, showing the extensive combination of resources that we offer.

Responsible Office:

Strand Associates, Inc.

629 Washington Street Columbus, IN 47201 (812) 372-9911

Authorized Negotiator:

Bill Hawkins, P.E. Director of Operations [email protected]


Demonstrated Qualifications Team’s Recent Experience with Similar HMA Overlay Projects Demonstrates Our Ability to Efficiently Deliver for the District

Nothing speaks more to our qualifications to manage these projects than the fact that we have succesfully delivered numerous similar projects within the recent past. Traditionally, these projects were developed by INDOT’s in-house design staff, but because of staffing and the sheer number of projects programmed, these have recently started to be assigned to consultants. Because of our ongoing On-Call Contracts with the Fort Wayne District, we have been fortunate enough to receive several of these assignments. From March of 2016 to January of 2017, we completed five HMA Overlay assignments. Additionally, we completed a fast-track Thin Concrete Overlay assignment on SR 9 in Grant County in April of 2017, and are managing the development of several other overlay projects. We are quite familiar with the unique quantity tabulation spreadsheets and special provisions that accompany these types of projects, and offer multiple staff members capable of delivering them efficiently. The list below summarizes our recent experience with the development of similar HMA and PCCP Overlay projects. For reference, we have included the INDOT Project Manager in parentheses. Strand’s Representative Overlay Projects

Currently Under Construction: Two SR 15 HMA Minor Structural Overlays in Wabash County (Mark Ober) I-69 HMA Preventative Maintenance Overlay in DeKalb County (John Langmaid) Two I-469 HMA Preventative Maintenance Overlays in Allen County (John Langmaid)

Pending Letting or still in Project Development:

SR 9 Thin Concrete Overlay in Grant County (Tony Jones) - JULY LETTING SR 9 Thin Concrete Overlay in Huntington County (Susan Doell) SR 9 Thin Concrete Overlay in Whitley and Noble counties (Damien Perry) SR 105 HMA Preventative Maintenance Overlay in Huntington County (Susan Doell) SR 120 HMA Minor Structural Overlay in Steuben County (Austin Carpenter)

We completed five HMA Overlay projects for the Fort Wayne District last year, and have several more in development in the Fort Wayne and Seymour Districts.

Sample quantity tables created for previous HMA Overlay assignment.


Proven Project Management Project Manager with a Long History of INDOT Project Development Provides Confidence in the Successful Delivery of these Assignments

Marc Rape, P.E., will be our team’s Project Manager for these projects. He will be the primary point of contact and responsible for keeping all project elements moving forward. Over his 26-year career, Marc has developed a strong reputation for delivering quality results within the INDOT Project Development Process. His resume includes experience managing large interstate and other highway reconstruction projects, including several relevant overlay projects within the Fort Wayne district. Marc is the Transportation Discipline Coordinator for our Indiana offices, and manages both of our current On-Call Project Development contracts with the Fort Wayne District. This keeps him constantly involved in the oversight of the workflow and schedule demands of our staff. Marc prides himself on keeping project assignments on track by working collaboratively with all of the entities involved in a project (INDOT, subconsultants, Utilities, resource and permitting agencies, property owners, etc.). Marc has managed and designed more than 30 INDOT and LPA transportation projects over the past 10 years. Through that experience, Marc has fostered working relationships with many project managers and personnel. He understands that communication is the single most important success factor in reaching a positive outcome for all parties involved. As evidenced below, feedback from INDOT project managers Marc works with regularly indicate that they appreciate his willingness to correspond in a timely manner, and that he always delivers on his promises. Marc is eager to for the opportunity to deliver this level of service to the LaPorte District.

Over the past 10 years, Marc has designed or managed more than 30 INDOT and LPA projects.

As the primary point of contact, Marc will provide regular updates, prompt responses, and an unmatched level of service.


Key Project Personnel Key Personnel Have a Long History of Delivering a Variety of INDOT Project Development Contracts

Quality Control Engineer Bill Hawkins, P.E., will be the Principal Quality Control Reviewer for this assignment. Bill is the Director of Operations for our Indiana offices, and has 25 years of experience in design and project management of transportation projects. Bill has a significant work history overseeing the construction of large INDOT and LPA projects, which gives him a clear understanding of constructability issues and maintenance of traffic operations. Bill has designed or supervised projects ranging from $400,000 to $32 million. It is vitally important to have a qualified person conduct a thorough quality control review at each phase of a project. Bill approaches this role with the goal of providing an honest and thorough critique of the project and its constructability. Lead Design Engineer Jason Hoy, P.E., will serve as the lead Design Engineer for this project. He has 11 years of experience in both design and construction of transportation projects. Jason has been involved with a variety of road and bridge projects, including the construction of the 17th Street reconstruction in the city of Columbus and the design of two small structures on SR 16 in Huntington and Wabash counties. In addition to being the principal engineer for the US 6 and Calumet Avenue Intersection Improvement in the LaPorte District, Jason currently serves as the Lead Project Engineer for overlay projects on SR 1 in the town of Ossian and on SR 9 in Grant county. On SR 9, Jason’s understanding of construction practices was instrumental in helping to develop supplemental pavement design details for some of the unique site and maintenance of traffic conditions. Utility Coordinator Jeremy Brodhacker, P.E., will serve as a Design Engineer and be the principal Utility Coordinator for these projects. He has 13 years of experience in the design, management, and construction of INDOT and LPA projects, ranging from intersection improvements and small structure replacements to road reconstruction and roundabout designs. Jeremy has experience in the design of overlay projects, having been Lead Engineer on the I-69 project in DeKalb County. Jeremy has also completed INDOT’s Certified Utility Coordinator training and certification. Jeremy’s proactive coordination with City Utility representatives greatly reduced the number of potential conflicts on a recent project for the reconstruction of SR 1 on the south side of Bluffton. Utility Coordinator John Nail, P.E. (Etica/PCS), is a Project Manager and INDOT Certified Utility Coordinator. His experience includes the design of transportation-related projects. Those design services include intersections, interchanges, small structure replacements, drainage evaluation, storm sewer, ADA curb ramp, pavement rehabilitation, Utility coordination, maintenance of traffic plans, hydraulic analysis, and permanent erosion control. He has served on many transportation design teams as the Project Manager/Project Engineer, including many LPA, INDOT, and DPW projects.

Jeremy has considerable experience with INDOT’s Utility Coordination process.

Bill’s experience makes him ideally suited to provide key insight throughout each project stage.

Jason has worked on 10 separate overlay projects over the past year.

John provides additional Utility Coordination capacity and expertise.


Topographic Survey / Right of Way Leader Jacob (Jake) Fitzsimmons, P.S., has 13 years of experience as a survey crew party chief and right of way engineering designer. Over the past year, he has completed 12 Location Control Route Surveys for various bridge and roadway projects in the Fort Wayne district, in addition to similar work performed in the Seymour and Vincennes districts. Jake combines his knowledge of surveying with the requirements of right of way engineering to help resolve difficult property ownership, section corner issues, and legal documentation of existing rights of way. Jake’s knowledge of project design and his experience in topographic surveying will provide effective and efficient results. Topographic Survey / Right of Way Rodney Kelly, P.S. (Etica/PCS), has more than 19 years of comprehensive experience in all aspects of surveying throughout the State of Indiana. He has extensive experience in all types of surveys, including numerous INDOT surveys complying with current industry standards. Throughout his career, Mr. Kelly has been responsible for overseeing all types of surveys, including right of way engineering surveys, A.L.T.A (boundary), construction layout supervision, route surveying, topographic surveys, cornerstone perpetuation projects, mapping, subdividing, transportation, bridge and platting of residential and commercial land, and the writing of legal descriptions. His inclusion on our team provides additional topographic survey and right of way engineering support for these assignments, assuring that the schedules are kept on track Environmental Documentation Brandi Rodriguez, P.E., has been involved in all aspects necessary to execute the environmental documentation that will be required for this project. Brandi has more than 8 years of experience and is knowledgeable in state and federal environmental regulations, is aware of the timeline requirements for various permits, and is familiar with the agency coordination that is crucial to the environmental permitting process. Brandi has compiled categorical exclusion (CE) documents for trail, bridge, and road projects, and has most recently completed CE documents for Bridge 228 replacement in Jackson county, and street lighting project in the town of Milton’s historical district, and a trail project in the town of Ferdinand. Brandi is certified to complete environmental documents through the INDOT and FHWA training courses: NEPA and the INDOT Decision Making Process and Indiana Categorical Exclusion Process. Title Research Shannon Lindley (Etica/PCS) has more than 19 years of research experience, including land surveying and title industries. She has conducted researched in 36 different counties throughout the state of Indiana in various offices such as the Recorder, Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, and Treasurer, Surveyor, and Commissioners offices. She also has experience gathering ownership and easement information from INDOT and railroads. Her research experience includes annexation, mortgage surveys, boundary surveys, legal surveys, topographic surveys, plot plans/house stakes, platting, subdivision control and zoning ordinances, and title clearance and recordings.

Rodney has extensive INDOT survey and right of way plan development experience.

Jake has 13 years of experience as survey party crew chief.

Brandi’s complete understanding of NEPA requirements will help expedite the environmental documentation process.

Shannon’s research skills will help our team determine ownership status early in the process

INDOT 1705 | LaPorte District: Item No. 5 Roadway Rehabilitation Projects May 23, 2017 Project Approach –

Project Approach Proactive Management Approach Helps Control Project Cost and Keeps Project on Schedule

Proactive Management Approach The foundations of our project management approach are communication, leadership, thoughtful decision-making, and the understanding that our INDOT project managers trust us to provide proactive guidance on these projects through completion. Achieving success requires much more than fulfilling technical design requirements. We have an undeniably positive record of developing multiple projects for INDOT at any given time. Eight of the CPR and HMA Overlay projects assigned to us in 2016 are currently under construction, and we are currently working through the project development process on several more assignments. Communication has a dramatic effect on successful project delivery. Our team members possess the experience, expertise, and desire to work efficiently and collaboratively with INDOT. Communication Plan Marc and the project team will collaborate with District personnel to define project goals and expectations, and then create an Active Communication Plan tailored to the District’s needs. A monthly update on each project, even when there is no activity, is an effective way of keeping the project development process running smoothly. These updates will include what we have accomplished in the previous month, the pending month’s work plan, potential scheduling issues, and serve to highlight items that need attention. Schedule The current RFC date for the project is July 8, 2020. As the project managers we have worked with in the past can attest, our record of meeting agreed-upon project schedules is excellent. Our computerized, corporate-wide scheduling system provides us with bi-monthly review of work force need versus available capacity, so we are able to identify easily when to seek resources from our considerable pool of corporate transportation design personnel. This gives us (and the District) great confidence in our ability to meet the project schedules.

Below is our typical communication plan. We will work with the District project manager to create a plan tailored to his/her needs.


A Complete Understanding of the Overlay Project Development Process Results in Efficient Use of Department Resources

We understand the District’s goal is to extend the pavement lives of the respective sections of roadway. The current recommended scope for each project is an HMA Minor Structural Overlay, which consists of the installation of a surface and intermediate lift. We have visited the project sites and analyzed the supplied mini scopes to get a better feel for the projects. The following describes our project development process and highlights some key project details. Project Kickoff and Assessment Upon receiving the Notice to Proceed, we will help coordinate completion of the following tasks for each designation number: Request traffic forecast, crash history, pipe inspection

reports, and FWD data. Schedule initial site visits with District Project

Manager, Area Engineer, and District pavement, systems assessment, and other Department personnel.

During the initial site visit and in collaboration with District personnel, clarify scope items and identify any additional critical areas for inclusion.

From the meeting, develop action items and compile abbreviated engineering assessment and scoping document.

Also from the meeting, identify, coordinate, and conduct topographic survey data collection required for each project.

Existing traffic data and crash history will help identify specific areas where HAT analysis is necessary.


Existing Conditions Upon approval of the scoping documents, we will proceed with design. What we already know is that each roadway shows signs of fatigue cracking, raveling, and rutting. The quicker that a structural overlay can be applied to these roads, the better the chances are for extending their usable life. Inherent in each overlay project are assumptions that will need to be coordinated with District staff. Inclusion of items such as bridge work, small structures, or culverts often require input from District maintenance personnel early in the project development. Identifying who will perform the geotechnical and pavement design services is also an early critical decision for project success. Our team will not wait for the initial site visit to start coordination efforts on these tasks, but will be proactive after project award and notice to proceed to get ahead of the schedule. Design and Project Considerations While the design will likely follow Partial 3R requirements identified in Chapter 56 of the Indiana Design Manual (IDM), there are additional items to consider. The following describes some of our tasks and identifies specific items that will be addressed: Coordinate with Utilities using the “new paradigm”

to identify existing manholes, castings, and infrastructure that may be in conflict with a profile grade increase associated with a functional overlay.

Fill out and complete the Department’s standard overlay quantity spreadsheets.

Compile and submit Programmatic Categorical Exclusion documents.

Complete the level one checklist in accordance with IDM Chapter 56 and determine the need for any design exceptions.

Analyze crash data in accordance with Chapter 55. Coordinate with District staff the requests for FWD

results, geotechnical investigation, coring, and pavement design.

Coordinate the resetting of section corner and other monumentation with the appropriate County Surveyor’s office.

Determine guardrail length of need and specify proper pay items in accordance with the FHWA’s new standards, as well as proper guardrail transitions to connect existing rub rail to W-Beam.

Analyze drainage and/or culverts, if requested. Detail proper pavement transitional milling in

advance of bridges and other paving exceptions. Coordinate with District Traffic to create signal plans

at the signalized intersection on US 24, as well as pavement marking type, rumble stripes, etc. for all of the projects.


Project-Specific Design Considerations The three projects on this request for proposal have similar scopes, but each has its own unique project-specific issues. Our team has the ability to group tasks common across projects to increase efficiency as well as break out the project-specific tasks to complete the project on time and within budget. The following are a few highlights of the project-specific characteristics of each roadway: US 24 Lack of surface drainage through Reynolds adds to

the pavement deterioration. Surface drainage could be improved by the addition

of new curbing and additional storm structures. Project should involve coordination with Reynolds

regarding the drainage improvements and eventual discharge points.

There are sidewalks present through the Town of Reynolds, so ADA ramp improvements are likely necessary.

The project will likely impact signal loops in the US 24/US 421 intersection.

Proper pedestrian warnings at the railroad crossing will likely necessitate coordination with the railroad.

SR 14 This roadway was reconstructed as a Full-Depth

Reclamation (FDR) project in 2015. Already exhibiting significant wheel ruts and

alligator cracking. Much of the road lies at the grade of the adjacent

agricultural fields - while this project cannot correct that situation, there may be minor drainage improvements that could help extend the life of the pavement.

No sidewalks or ADA ramps are present for the length of the project.

The project will not likely affect the overhead flasher at the US 41 intersection.

SR 39 Roadway was last resurfaced in 1994, and is showing

signs of rutting and rough ride conditions. We will recommend upgrading the unprotected

bridge ends within the project limits and the development of the proper guardrail length of need calculations.

There are no sidewalks or traffic signals present along the length of the project.

Analyze existing signals and public road approaches using HAT software to identify recommended safety improvements, as needed.

INDOT 1705 | LaPorte District: Item No. 5 HMA Functional Overlay Projects May 23, 2017 Project Approach -

Budget Management / Practical Design Open Roads is an important tool in budget management. We are well versed in Open Roads, looking for cost savings to stretch every dollar, and we have successfully applied this process to every project over the last several years. The chart below illustrates the outcome of some of these projects. We have found that the Open Roads policy enables us to utilize our engineering judgment to develop appropriate common-sense solutions. With the appropriate use of design exceptions, the project can provide a safe improvement, fit the area in which it is constructed, and save money. Identifying these potential cost and right of way savings early in the process will help avoid unnecessary engineering, environmental, or land acquisition expenditures.

Project Name Open Road / Practical Design Changes Cost Savings

US 30 over Tippecanoe River Full Replacement of Barrier Wall Changed to Point Repair $50,000

SR 9 over Haw Creek Bridge Replacement Changed to Rehabilitation $432,000

SR 56 over Elk Creek Latex Overlay with New Barrier Rail Changed to Polymeric Overlay $350,000

SR 116 Small Structure Design Exception to Eliminate Need for Guardrail $130,000

SR 156 over Fisk Creek Bridge Replacement Changed to Rehabilitation $300,000

Doc Hamilton Boulevard Reduction of Bridge and Shoulder Width $2,000,000

Huntersville over I-74 Latex Overlay Changed to Polymeric Overlay $300,000

Maintenance of Traffic HMA milling and paving operations on existing roadways are typically completed as a rolling operation under traffic in accordance with the standard drawings. However, since there will more than likely be full-depth patching on all three projects and drainage improvements on the US 24 project, the MOT for these overlays will likely require further coordination efforts. We will develop MOT plans for these overlays through coordination with the District Construction and Traffic Divisions to help protect the safety of the workers and the traveling public. Utility Coordination With utilities present in the project areas, INDOT’s proactive Utility Coordination Process will be followed. One of our proposed team members, Jeremy Brodhacker, attended the new Utility Coordination Training in December of 2013 and has since provided Utility coordination for numerous INDOT HMA overlay projects. Additionally, Etica/PCS has INDOT Certified Utility Coordinators that could be assigned to one or more of these projects. Our team’s design will consider the Utilities early in the development process in an effort to minimize project cost and impact. On an overlay, that typically involves identifying, for potential adjustment, existing valves, manholes, or other facilities located within the existing pavement. Environmental Documentation We have conducted a preliminarily assessment of the site for potential environmental concerns and the potential level of documentation required. Based on our previous overlay experience, a Programmatic Categorical Exclusion document will be required. We have staff members available who are well versed in all of the NEPA requirements that will apply. Conclusion Selecting Strand Associates, Inc. will provide the LaPorte District confidence in the successful completion of these HMA Minor Structural Overlay projects. Our approach, grounded in firm engineering judgment and achieving acceptance through detailed communications, will result in cost-effective solutions. We understand the existing conditions and needs, we have a thorough understanding of the Indiana Design Manual and project guidelines, and we will provide recommendations that fit within INDOT’s Open Roads Initiatives.

MOT plans that help maximize the safety of the workers and the traveling public will be developed in coordination with the District Construction and Traffic Divisions.

A successful project not only serves its intended function well, but also is one that is completed effectively, on-time, and within budget.

INDOT 1705 | LaPorte District: Item No. 5 HMA Functional Overlay Projects May 23, 2017 Project Approach -

Similar Project Experience

SR 15 HMA Overlay Projects – Wabash County

Two separate projects that span the 17 miles between Marion and Wabash

Met expedited schedule by submitting tracings two weeks after stage 3

Designed ADA-compliant curb ramps at the Wabash River bridge

Worked closely with INDOT Central Office to utilize Kansas DOT nested guardrail standards

Completed the Utility coordination and the environmental document

SR 105 HMA Overlay – Huntington County

1.2-mile project through the town of Andrews Designed 30 ADA-compliant curb ramps, including

proper warning in advance of railroad crossing Coordinated with local stakeholders to help address

drainage issues in the town Completed hydraulic analysis for culvert replacement Performed Utility coordination Prepared environmental document Performed length of need calculations for replacement

of guardrail

I-69 HMA Overlay – DeKalb County

4-mile project between SR 8 and US 6 Managed the contract bundle by coordinating the

submittal documents for more than a dozen projects with multiple designers

Completed traffic analysis to obtain an exception to the Interstate Highway Congestion Policy to allow extended working hours to the contractor

Developed MOT plan to maintain ramp access, which helped reduce costs and minimize delays

Utilized Open Roads policy to generate a level one design exception by performing crash analysis along the corridor

Coordinated with pavement designers to modify pavement design in accordance with existing site conditions

SR 9 Thin Concrete Overlay – Huntington County

2.4-mile overlay on four-lane divided highway Project scope change from HMA to PCCP overlay Second PCCP overlay project in Fort Wayne district Coordinated with pavement design to address unique

project features Effectively communicated with project manager,

District construction, District traffic, and local stakeholders to develop MOT

Completed hydraulic analysis for substandard culvert replacements

Substandard guardrail at small structure.

Existing substandard curb ramp.

Four-lane divided facility on the west side of Huntington.

Interstate Highway Congestion Policy Waiver.

identifications and qualifications

Documents