Engineering firm’s local office readies for bridge work

Terracon Consulting Engineers & Scientists will perform geotechnical drilling and soil testing for 68 bridges prioritized by Missouri Bridge Partners, a team of companies selected by the Missouri Department of Transportation to finance, design, rebuild and maintain the bridges.

Last month, MoDOT issued a limited notice to proceed for preliminary geotechnical fieldwork and design, said Bob Brendel, outreach coordinator for the Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program, or 800 Bridges for short. Brendel said MoDOT is still confidentially negotiating a contract with Missouri Bridge Partners for the $700 million project. Negotiations began six months ago, and the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission still must approve a finalized contract before the bulk of bridge work may begin, Brendel said.

Terracon is a subconsultant to Pasadena, Calif.-based Parsons Transportation Group, the team’s lead engineering firm. Terracon’s corporate headquarters is in Olathe, Kan., but the firm has main offices in St. Louis, Columbia, Springfield and Kansas City as well as project offices in Joplin and Camdenton. Terracon employs about 200 employees in Missouri.

Dave Harwood, who leads Terracon’s national transportation sector in Denver, said engineers assigned to the 800 Bridges project are expected to start fieldwork the first week of August. Terracon’s Springfield office – led by Manager Ty Alexander – will handle geotechnical work on bridges in three MoDOT districts that stretch from Joplin east to West Plains.

Data collected by Terracon’s field crews will be included in reports that are forwarded to structural and civil engineers designing the bridge improvements, Alexander said.

See SBJ’s July 21 issue for more about Terracon’s work on the 800 Bridges project.