Reconstructing Kilo

Garver has kicked off a project to reconstruct a portion of Runway 13/31's parallel taxiway at Nashville International Airport. The majority of Taxiway Kilo's asphalt pavement has dropped below the minimum service level, and more than 432,000 square feet of pavement will be reconstructed. Design aspects also include correcting non-compliant longitudinal gradients as well as runway and taxiway safety areas.

Taxiway Kilo is one of the most heavily used taxiways at the airport. To keep from impacting airport operations, Garver and its subconsultants recently performed the topographical survey and geotechnical investigations over a three-night period from 10pm to 6am.

Garver is also providing construction phasing, pavement design (which includes a life-cycle cost analysis between asphalt and concrete pavement sections), all geometric design, drainage improvements, electrical and NAVAID design, bidding, and construction support services.

Garver's previous projects at Nashville International Airport include reconstructing Runway 2L/20R (which featured a unique pavement recycling process) and reconstructing and rehabilitating numerous taxiways throughout the airfield.

Transportation Time Capsule

This year, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is celebrating its 100th anniversary. As part of the year-long observance, ODOT will bury a time capsule for future Oklahomans to open in 50 years. During an ODOT press conference in June, Garver transportation team leader Brent Schniers and transportation engineer Kevin Moore witnessed state leaders dedicate the time capsule.

The capsule's contents include:

• A list of current ODOT employees with their signatures
• Copies of June 15 editions of two major state newspapers
• Cover sheets for significant transportation projects throughout Oklahoma
• A sample of paving materials currently in use

Garver has worked with ODOT for more than 25 years, and some of our notable design projects include:

• Interstate 244 multimodal bridge across the Arkansas River, Tulsa
• Inner Dispersal Loop west leg, Tulsa
• Interstate 44 interchange at 163rd Street, Rogers County
• US-169 widening and resurfacing, Tulsa County
• State Highway 10 realignment, Ottawa County

Two Rivers Bridge Dedication

Bicyclists pedaled across the new Two Rivers Bridge in Little Rock, Arkansas for the first time on Friday when U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood helped dedicate the pedestrian bridge.

"Thank you for what you're doing - providing people an opportunity to exercise, to experience the great outdoors, to experience this great part of the country. This is a great project," LaHood said.

Garver provided design services to construct the 1,368-foot, 13-span bridge, which connects 17 miles of trails along the Arkansas River. This is the second major pedestrian bridge along the trail system that bears Garver's engineering design--Garver also designed the Big Dam Bridge above the Murray Lock and Dam.

Cyclists anticipate that the $5.3 million bridge will make the trail system more accessible and provide a safer ride to Pinnacle Mountain State Park. The bridge officially opens to the public July 23.

For more information, click on the following links:
FOX 16 News: Dedication Held for Two Rivers Bridge (Garver engineer Blake Staton provides a quote)
KARK 4 News: Two Rivers Bridge Dedication Today in Little Rock
KATV News: Two Rivers Bridge Dedication
JBar Cycling Blog: Two Rivers Bridge: A Beautiful Day for Arkansas

A Master's in Environmental Engineering

Garver congratulates water engineer Mary Elizabeth Mach, PE on achieving a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of Oklahoma.

In her own words, Mary Elizabeth explains how Garver's education reimbursement program helped her achieve her degree and how her studies proved to be a great resource during a high-profile project in Oklahoma.

"As a Garver water engineer, I worked closely with the City of Norman, Oklahoma on a project that removed arsenic from groundwater at one of the city's drinking water wells. Because this was the first arsenic-removal technology implemented in Oklahoma, I was well positioned to use my master's research requirements on the project. The city benefited from the additional research, Garver benefited by having an engineer perform an exhaustive study on arsenic removal, and I benefited by having an exciting project to fuel my enthusiasm for a master's research topic.

"Garver provided both financial and logistical support. Almost all classes in the engineering college were held in the middle of the day, which meant I had to leave work, attend class, and then return to work. I missed a minimum of two hours, three times a week or as much as half a day when lab work was required. I still had to work 40 hours a week, but my supervisors gave their approval to make up my hours during the weekends, which was extremely helpful during semesters when I took up to eight hours. Regarding financial support, as long as I passed my courses, I was reimbursed for 25 percent of the previous years’ scholarly expenses. Now that I have graduated, I will continue to claim reimbursement until I am 100 percent reimbursed."

Education Reimbursement Program

Garver's education reimbursement program has helped 14 employees pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in the past three years. For employees who follow the program's guidelines, Garver reimburses 100 percent of tuition, books, supplies, and expenses for approved higher education degrees.

Since 2008, five Garver employees have earned master's degrees in accountancy, environmental engineering, civil engineering, and business administration. Another four employees have master's pending in civil engineering, business operations management, and environmental engineering.

Garver also provides logistical support to help employees obtain their degrees. Supervisors work with employees to schedule work hours around class attendance. In the next blog post, I'll highlight one engineer who recently achieved her master's degree and how her participation in the company education program has proved mutually beneficial.