United Presents at the INDOT Bridge Inspection Conference!

There were a few familiar United faces among the presenters during this year’s INDOT Bridge Inspection Conference. 

United’s Chris Dyer and Scott Minnich teamed up with Bill Dittrich, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Bridge Inspection Assistant Program Manager, to deliver a presentation on Critical Findings. Chris provided detailed information on the proper procedure for filing a critical finding. Scott followed up with a quiz that showcased many examples and allowed audience participation to evaluate and vote on which project examples represented critical findings.

United’s Chris Andrzejewski teamed up with Jennifer Hart, INDOT Bridge Evaluation Team Manager, and Amy Huebschman of EMCS to present on Load Rating Metal Structures and Concrete Under Fill Arches. Chris worked with INDOT to develop a methodology of load rating metal structures and discussed his work in detail with the audience.

Read More

Best Places to Work in Indiana 2023!

United’s people are our power. We are honored to be recognized as a 2023 Best Places to Work in Indiana (BPTWI) awardee by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. United has been voted to Best Places to Work in Indiana 13 times, entering into the BPTWI Hall of Fame in 2014.

Read More

Beech Grove Franciscan Greenway Trail – PHASE I

 

The city of Beech Grove residents can now enjoy increased community connectivity through a fun and safe trail uniting schools, parks, and businesses throughout central Beech Grove! 

United completed Phase I of the Franciscan Trail, a 12-foot-wide, shared-use, asphalt pathway spanning  2.2 miles in length, beginning west of Churchman Avenue on Main Street and extending to Emerson Avenue and Hornet Avenue. 

Constructed using an HMA for sidewalk typical sections composed of 3.5 inches of HMA on six inches of compacted aggregate on Type 3 subgrade treatment, the majority of the trail follows along Lick Creek and also incorporates ADA compliant ramps and trail entrances. 

Four bridges were also included as part of the Franciscan Trail – Phase I project: three structures crossing Lick Creek and one structure crossing Beech Creek near the eastern construction limits.

United provided construction inspection services for this $3.5 million greenway trail. A key component which contributed to the trail’s success was United’s effective communication and coordination of construction activities  with the multiple property owners along the path.

Read More

DPW Safe Routes to Transit North

 

United worked with Calumet Civil Contractors, Inc. to successfully complete the $4.8 million Safe Routes to Transit North project for the City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) — all while saving the City approximately $200,000 and finishing ahead of schedule!

The project’s goal was to increase public access and safety to the Red Line bus route, encompassing a six-mile area from 25th Street to 66th Street and including over 30 neighborhoods east and west of College Avenue.

The Safe Routes to Transit project replaced 301 ramps at 89 intersections and added a bike lane with island planters that travels past the Ivy Tech campus on Illinois from Fall Creek to 27th Street. United provided construction inspection services.

Read More

Admirals Pointe Bridge is Open!

The new and improved $2.5 million Admirals Pointe Bridge over Geist Reservoir is open and ready for business! The bridge replacement project, located over Geist Reservoir in Indianapolis, updated a high maintenance bridge with a more cost-efficient, two-span concrete structure which also improves boater access under the bridge while minimizing additional land acquisition needed to construct the project.  The construction of the new three-lane bridge included drainage improvements, concrete railings, and a new sidewalk on the west side of the bridge. The project was completed under a seven-month closure and re-opened to traffic on June 25th.

 United provided design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction inspection on Admirals Pointe Drive over Geist Reservoir. United’s design successfully maintained the existing road grade, decreased the number of spans from 12 spans at 26 feet to two spans at 107 feet, and improved boater access under the bridge — all while only requiring the purchase of an additional 0.002 acres of permanent right-of-way!

Read More

Just in Time for Summer — Beware of the Cone Zones and Slow Down!

As the old saying goes, April showers bring May flowers; but, the month of May also brings construction cone zones and this year is no different. Below are a few exciting United projects beginning to take shape.

I-70 NORTH SPLIT

The I-65/I-70 North Split through Downtown Indianapolis is getting a major facelift which will improve saftey and facilitate enhanced traffic flow in the area.  This project is the first major overhaul of the North Split interchange including bridges, ramps, and pavement since its original construction in 1968. The project is anticipated to be completed during an 18-month closure. Unitedis part of the team providing construction inspection services.

For specific details and up-to-date information including access changes and alternate routes, visit: INDOT’s North Split Website.

146th STREET & SR 37 INTERSECTION

United designed this $30 million interchange project along SR 37 in Fishers as part of the corridor-wide modifications to improve traffic flow in Fishers, Noblesville, and Hamilton County. The project required that 146th Street remain open during construction, resulting in the use of cut walls along SR 37 and the design of a complicated traffic maintenance scheme. The lowering of SR 37 by approximately 30 feet below the existing 146th Street elevation required coordination of the drainage design with a separate drainage outlet constructed to the White River ahead of the interchange. The ramp termini for the permanent conditions were designed as well as for the temporary traffic flow conditions required during construction.

I-69 SECTION 6.5

United’s involvement with I-69 Section 6.5 initially began while working as part of a team of designers, tasked with delivering services for the I-69 Section 6.4. United designed the new I-69 mainline from just south of Fairview Road to just north of Stop 11 Road in Johnson and Marion Counties — a distance of just under 2.75 miles. A new interchange at County Line Road was also included as part of United’s portion of Section 6.4.  

Section 6.4 was accelerated and inserted into the I-69 Section 6.5 Public Private Agreement (P3) project which ultimately completes the connection of I-69 to I-465.  

United was called upon to complete 95% design for this $80 million piece in just 12 months.  The inclusion of United’s portion of I-69 Section 6.4 provided an opportunity for the P3 contractor to begin work early while completing the design for the rest of the I-69 Section 6.5 project.  The P3 project was awarded in late 2020 and construction is underway.  The overall project is expected to be under construction for approximately four years, with the County Line Road interchange expected to be completed earlier.

Read More
United Consulting

SR 11 at I-65 Interchange is Now Open!

United Consulting

November 21, 2020 l UPDATED POST

Motorists traveling along the I-65 Southeast (SE) Corridor in Jackson County have a lot to be thankful for this year  — the SR 11 Interchange at I-65 Safety Improvements project opened on Saturday, November 21, ending a three-month closure just in time for Thanksgiving. 

Although not included in the original scope of the $143 million, Best Value Design Build I-65 SE project between the I-65 Exit 50 (US 50) and Exit 64 (SR 58), the SR 11 at I-65 Interchange put the finishing touches on the 14 miles of newly transformed roadway. The interchange was added to the I-65 SE contract after the project had already begun, resulting in a safer interchange that was more economical and completed in a shorter time frame by using the same contractor and contract that was already in place for the corridor improvement.

The newly reconfigured interchange provides much-needed safety enhancements by facilitating smoother traffic movements through the area. The interchange allows easy on/off access between I-65 and SR 11 through the use of a double roundabout configuration which is also known as a dog bone (see photo above).

INDOT posted a video to their YouTube channel which illustrates how to navigate the new interchange. Click to watch the video. 

ORIGINAL POST l September 8, 2020 l Seymour, IN

I-65 SE — Perfect Day for a Ribbon Cutting!

 

 

INDOT Commissioner Joe McGuinness, local government officials, and E&B Paving Area Manager Spencer Coe hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the northbound weigh station near Seymour on Tuesday, September 8th to officially open the I-65 Southeast Indiana corridor between Seymour and Columbus. The project is substantially complete with the exception of the SR 11 Interchange which was added to the project scope after the project had already begun construction.

 

The $143 million, Best Value Design Build project between I-65 between Exit 50 (US 50) and Exit 64 (SR 58) transformed 14 miles of the original four-lane facility into a six-lane facility to improve travel and safety conditions for motorists. Seventeen bridges, eight twin bridges carrying mainline I-65 over rivers and creeks, two twin bridges over railroads, and seven bridge overpasses of I-65 were also included in the project.

 

The E&B Paving / United Team was selected as the Preferred Proposer in May 2017 after going through a rigorous submittal process and proposing a solid, well thought-out plan that exceeded INDOT’s scoring criteria, providing several added-value elements to the project scope.

 

Kudos to E&B Paving on your exceptional work in providing extra-smooth pavement for the project!

Read More
United Consulting

Discover the Dos & Don’ts of Detention With Eric Harned

Ever wonder about the fascinating world of detention and how it affects the overall transportation design of a project?

United Consulting

This year’s Annual Civil Engineering Professional Development Seminar (CEPDS) will be fully virtual beginning November 18th (Wednesday) through November 19th (Thursday) and United’s own Detention Design Guru Eric Harned, EI will be presenting on the Dos & Don’ts of Detention Design on Day 2 (Thursday) of the conference beginning at 10:55 am.

For more information: 35th Annual CEPDS Website

Download the full conference agenda : CEPDS Virtual Conference (November 18-19) Agenda

United Consulting
United Consulting
Read More

I-65 SE Corridor — Perfect Day for a Ribbon Cutting!

September 8, 2020 l Seymour, IN

INDOT Commissioner Joe McGuinness, local government officials, and E&B Paving Area Manager Spencer Coe hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the northbound weigh station near Seymour on Tuesday, September 8th to officially open the I-65 Southeast Indiana corridor between Seymour and Columbus. The project is substantially complete with the exception of the SR 11 Interchange which was added to the project scope after the project had already begun construction.

The $143 million, Best Value Design Build project between I-65 between Exit 50 (US 50) and Exit 64 (SR 58) transformed 14 miles of the original four-lane facility into a six-lane facility to improve travel and safety conditions for motorists. Seventeen bridges, eight twin bridges carrying mainline I-65 over rivers and creeks, two twin bridges over railroads, and seven bridge overpasses of I-65 were also included in the project.

The E&B Paving / United Team was selected as the Preferred Proposer in May 2017 after going through a rigorous submittal process and proposing a solid, well thought-out plan that exceeded INDOT’s scoring criteria, providing several added-value elements to the project scope.

Kudos to E&B Paving on your exceptional work in providing extra-smooth pavement for the project!

 
Read More
United Consulting

Michael Rowe Named ACEC President for 2020-2021

Congratulations to United’s  own Michael Rowe, PE on his recent achievement of being selected as the 2020-21 ACEC Indiana President!

Michael began participating in ACEC events and completed the ACEC Engineering Leadership Program in 2005-06.  He became active on ACEC INDOT committees starting in 2009 and joined the Board of Directors in 2014. 

United Consulting
United Consulting

“I am truly honored to be selected to serve as  the 2020-21 ACEC President. I have always been impressed with ACEC Indiana’s mission and effectiveness in safeguarding sound business practices for engineering companies. This accomplishment is especially significant to me personally and I am extremely proud to be following the top engineering professionals who have served as past ACEC Indiana presidents — including United Consulting’s Kent Downey and Bill Hall.”  

Michael Rowe, PE

Read More