THE DELINEATOR ASHE Potomac Section Newsletter Board Officers & Members President, Dennis Morrison, Volkert 1st Vice President David Hieber, Dewberry 2nd Vice President Peter Vigliotti, VDOT Secretary, Tim Belcher, Dewberry Treasurer Dave Palfrey McDonough Bolyard Peck Director 2013-14 Phil Lohr, Volkert Director 2013-14 Adam Welschenbach Rinker Design Associates Director 2012-15 Leonard Coleman Prince William County Director 2012-15, Mark Warden, So-Deep Director 2013-2016 Wayne Ma DMY Engineering Consultants Director 2013-2016 Carolyn Witzig Rinker Design Associates Past President, Anand Patel, RK&K Young Member Coordinator, Robert Cade Parsons Brinkerhoff Articles and Ideas Welcome! Spring/Summer 2013 I hope everyone had a great summer. As we begin our 2013/2014 year, I am excited to share with you our plans for this year s ASHE Dinner Program. It is our goal to provide you with transportation information that will help you grow professionally, enhance your knowledge of what is happening in our industry regionally, and provide you an opportunity to network with your Clients and peers. Our program this year consists of the following: Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division Programs VDOT NOVA District Administrator / VDOT Programs DDOT Chief Engineer / DDOT Programs VCTIR VA Research Update General Assembly Update Fairfax / Prince William / Loudoun County Panel Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance Presentation To Be Announced Field Trip to a Transportation Project Baseball for the fun of it. ASHE is committed to the support of our industry and profession. We also believe in giving back to the community in which we live and serve and at each monthly meeting we choose a community service agency to support. We will be having a dinner meeting at the NOVA District office and others at various venues to be announced. I encourage you to get involved with ASHE, to invite a friend, and to learn more about ASHE and the vibrant, local transportation industry we support. It is only through ASHE membership and attendance that we are able to support our goal and provide monthly key industry speakers. We appreciate those faithful members who already support ASHE and look forward to continuing to expand our programs and industry participation. Get involved with ASHE and see how you can grow with us. Sincerely, Dennis Morrison, ASHE Potomac President
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS UPCOMING MEETINGS Members know that attending the monthly ASHE Potomac meetings is a great way to learn more about what is going on in our industry, network with colleagues, and enjoy a meal...but did you also know that you can earn 1 Professional Development Hour (PDH) simply by attending a meeting and completing a learning objectives questionnaire! Mark your calendars for the upcoming ASHE Potomac meetings: October 16, 2013 VDOT Nova District (@ NOVA District Office) December 2013 Annual ASHE Christmas Party Meetings are held are at P.J. Skidoos in Fairfax and begin at 5:30 pm with networking and a cash bar. Dinner begins at 6:30 and the program follows at approximately 7:00 pm. P J Skidoos is located at 9908 Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030. (www.pjskidoos.com) We are always interested in your comments and suggestions for meeting topics, focus and speakers. Please contact Dave Hieber at dhieber@dewberry.com with your ideas. STEPHEN M. EVANS, P.E. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP The recipients of the 2013 Stephen M. Evans, P.E. Memorial Scholarship are Zach Barlow and Greg Pope. Zach Barlow Zach is pursing an engineering degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). He received a $2,000 scholarship and will be entering his Junior year in September 2013. He also participates in the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Engineering Scholarship Program which includes working for VDOT during the summer breaks. Zach plans to continue to working for VDOT after graduation. Zack Barlow and proud parents, Mary and Brittany Evans and Peter Vigliotti Greg Pope Greg is pursing an engineering degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). He received a $1,500 scholarship and will be entering his Senior year in September 2013. Greg will be interning with Norfolk Southern this summer and plans to pursue a career in railroad engineering after graduating in May 2014.
Matt can be reached at 703-641-9088 or via email at mweaver@mbpce.com. FEATURE - INTERSECTION NO LONGER DUBBED THE WORST IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA Matt Weaver, PE, Project Manager, MBP With various transportation projects currently underway, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has been alleviating many headaches for commuters in the Northern Virginia area. The Fairfax County Parkway/Fair Lakes Parkway intersection is no exception. Once dubbed the worst intersection in Northern Virginia, that honor will now be passed on, and for good reason. More than 66,000 commuters travel through this area on a daily basis. The at-grade intersection was destined to be rebuilt as a grade-separated interchange. Originally planned in the 1980s and with assistance from approximately $40 million in stimulus (ARRA) funding, the $69.5 million project was advanced by two years, thereby significantly improving traffic flow in Fairfax County ahead of its intended schedule. Currently under budget, the three-year project, due to reach final completion in October 2013, is a pillar of success for all stakeholders involved. With careful planning and teaming arrangements in place, commuters gained the advantage of the positive impacts after each construction phase. While formal partnering was required during the project, the entire team worked so well together that communication flowed seamlessly and any potential issues were solved well in advance so as to not negatively impact the project. Two years after the notice to proceed, two new bridges, MSE walls, soldier pile walls and a soil nail wall were built; 500,000 cubic yards of earthwork were applied to four ramps and the bridge approaches; nearly 1,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer line was relocated under the existing parkway; and more than 120,000 tons of asphalt was placed on a soil cement subgrade. Designers, VDOT and the contractor worked very closely to overcome the challenge of designing and constructing the new roadway section adjacent to the existing roadway, a process that required a variable depth asphalt overlay. A value engineering effort led to rephasing the original sequence of construction, thereby consolidating phases and reducing construction time and costs. Traffic lights were replaced with bridges, roads were strengthened, and the newly constructed split diamond interchange took full advantage of the space available in the median, which meant there was limited right-of-way acquisitions required to construct the project. Local and Parkway traffic were separated and as a result, traffic flow improved. The four-lane Fairfax County Parkway increased to six lanes, with precast bulb T-girder bridges located at the intersections of Fair Lakes Parkway and Monument Drive, a move that eased congestion on the heavily traveled crossroads. Aesthetic components such as architectural finishes, ornamental lighting, and landscaping were designed to preserve the look of the Fair Lakes community. The Fair Lakes League, VDOT and the contractor had to work together to achieve the same exact ashlar finish on 65,000 square feet of soundwall panels, 29,000 square feet of MSE panels and 31,000 square feet of cast-in-place walls, not an easy accomplishment with multiple precasters and a form liner involved. With completion just around the corner, Northern Virginia commuters can now get to work easier, faster and with less stress thanks to all the stakeholders involved. Owner: Prime Consultant: Subconsultant: Subconsultant: General Contractor: Designer of Record: Virginia Department of Transportation RK&K, Fairfax, VA MBP, Fairfax, VA Keville Enterprises, Herndon, VA Shirley Contracting WRA Matt Weaver has more than 15 years of experience in the heavy highway construction industry including working with VDOT on design-build and conventional projects. He has an extensive background in field work, construction sequencing/scheduling and inspection, construction management, cost estimating, and quality control and quality assurance.
ASHE - SPRING/SUMMER 2012-13 APRIL MEETING Karl Roher, Deputy Project Manager Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Dulles Rail Phase 2 Project Karl reviewed the specifics of Phase 2: Wiehle Avenue through Dulles Airport to Ashburn (11.4 miles) Six Stations (Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Dulles Airport, Route 606 and Route 772) 5 Parking Garages Rail Yard and Maintenance Facility Procurement Approach and Status, and Project Schedule (Completion date 2018) MAY MEETING Tom Biesiadny, Director Fairfax County Department of Transportation Implementing HB2313 in Northern Virginia Tom explained the history behind the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) and the impact of HB2313 on the local area. The presentation included: A Summary of the state-wide and local components of HB2313 Implementation of HB2313 through the NVTA Initial Project Selection: criteria, process and potential projects Specific projects including transit, highways and multi-model NVTA partnership organizations (municipalities, state agencies and METRO) At the May meeting Past President, Mo Kim performed the swearing in of the ASHE Potomac Section s 2013-2014 Board Officers and Directors.
3RD ANNUAL ASHE POTOMAC GOLF OUTING SCOTTISH GOLF IN NOVA - MINUS THE KILTS
ASHE NATIONAL CONFERENCE JUNE 2013 The 2013 ASHE National Conference, held in the beautiful Lake Placid, New York, offered a range of planned activities, keynote speakers, and wonderful scenery. Some of the conference highlights: A bobsled competition at the 1980 Olympics bobsled track Speaker Victor Mendez, A Federal Highway Administrator - Key speaking points: - Transportation needs to be a higher priority - Constructing bridges and highways helps to revitalize the nation and create more jobs - The goal in mind is to create safer roads and infrastructures, while staying economically and environmentally friendly Speaker Thomas Madison of the New York Thruway Authority -Key speaking points: - Tappen Zee Bridge Replacement - Should be able to last 100 years without major upkeep and maintenance - With eight lines, it was designed to hold mass transportation, including commuter bus lanes Ski aerial show at the Olympic Ski Jump Facility with BBQ, Olympic torch lighting ceremony and firework display Other activities included: Golf outing, open skating on the 1980 ice rink, and the annual banquet and awards, closing with gala entertainment. The 2013 National Conference proved to be another successful event and was a great way to take part in exclusive activities only available in Lake Placid! The four members from the ASHE Potomac Chapter Speaker Victor Mendez
THANK YOU TO OUR 2012 2013 GOLD SPONSORS We are currently seeking 2013-2014 Gold Sponsor Partners Information is available on our website at: www.ashepotomac.org/sponsorship
SPRING/SUMMER EVENTS RECAP ASHE Potomac organized outings to two local sporting events which were well-attended by members old and new. Thirty people came together to cheer on the George Mason University men s basketball team against Towson in February, and 46 people watched the Washington Nationals take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in June. Tuesday, February 26 th Those who braved the heavy rains and arrived early to the Patriot Center for the GMU basketball game were rewarded with Gabe Norwood bobbleheads. Those who stayed late got to witness the nail-biting final minutes of the second half and five minutes of hard-fought overtime. Though ASHE Potomac and the rest of the crowd were cheering loudly for the Patriots, GMU fell just short with an 85-81 loss to Towson in their final home game of the season. Despite the loss, everyone had an enjoyable time watching an exciting game and talking with colleagues and friends. Wednesday, June 26 th Rain continued to be a theme for ASHE Potomac, and 38 people gathered at Fairfax County Government Center with umbrellas and rain jackets in tow to catch the bus to Nationals Park. The bus arrived promptly, and the excellent driver navigated us safely through traffic to arrive an hour before game time. Luckily the sun came out allowing everyone to enjoy festivities inside the stadium or a brew or two at the Bullpen prior to the first pitch. In total, ASHE Potomac attendance was 46 strong and $1 hot dog consumption was easily in the triple digits. ASHE Potomac enjoyed another close game, but this time the good guys won. Arizona scored two in the first inning which proved to be their only runs of the game. A Ryan Zimmerman double brought in the Nats first score. In the fourth inning, Abe Lincoln pranced across the finish line for yet another win in the Presidents Race. A Nats homer in the bottom of the fourth tied up the game, and another Zimmerman at-bat brought home the winning run in the fifth. Despite a round of rain in the eighth inning, everyone stuck it out to watch the Nationals seal the victory. We hopped on the bus and were back at the Government Center by 10:30pm.