From Design to Completion
SKS Engineering provides comprehensive construction management for civil environmental compliance. From a 43-acre design/build mitigation project in the heart of Ft. Lauderdale to a 2,200 acre restoration deep within Everglades National Park, SKS provides award winning civil inspection services, but also wetland restoration designs and environmental permit compliance services with attention to detail and constructability.
The focus of SKS is to provide the most comprehensive construction management services including planning, design, permitting and construction of environmentally sensitive projects. Clients rely on SKS to turn their vision into a project considered successful by environmental agencies, the contractor, the owner and the community.
Project #1 – Port of San Francisco Heron’s Head Park Shoreline Resilience
Heron’s Head Park is a 21-acre peninsula in San Francisco, California, comprised of seven acres of tidal marsh and ponds, and 14 acres of public open space. Constructed on fill, the shoreline at Heron’s Head Park experienced subsidence and erosion, causing a loss of both wetland acreage and quality. This Project Scope, performed with public access to the park, was to protect / install asphalt and DG pathways, install a gravel beach, rock groyne structures, and habitat features along the south shoreline. Regulatory restrictions included bird, oyster, seagrass and upland plant protection measures, along with site restoration including planting efforts. SKS Engineering performed a review of the designer’s construction cost estimate for the upcoming Heron’s Head Park project utilizing 90% complete project plans, specifications, as well as the regulatory permits issued to the Port for the project. Various construction methods were projected and reviewed for environmental compliance as well as for constructability. Our firm also performed all Resident Engineer services during the construction phase of the project, receiving the International Partnering Institute Project of the Year, in addition to the City of Saw Francisco Collaborative Partnering Awards both in 2023.
Project #2 – Miami Signature Bridge Project Series
The I-395/SR 836/I-95 project consists of three reconstruction projects at the interchange of I-395, SR 836, and I-95 (Midtown Interchange) in downtown Miami. The project will reduce congestion by adding capacity, improve safety by alleviating existing operational and geometric deficiencies and eliminating left-hand entrance/exit ramps, improve local access to and from I-395, and reduce evacuation time from Miami Beach. Along I-395 from the Midtown Interchange to the MacArthur Causeway (1.4 miles), the project will completely reconstruct the existing structure and create a signature bridge that will span 1,025 feet over NE 2 Avenue and SR 5/Biscayne Boulevard. The project will add additional capacity to I-395 with a total of three through lanes in each direction and provide separate connector ramps for traffic to and from I-95. The existing I-395 eastbound off-ramps at NE 2 Avenue will be moved west to North Miami Avenue, and the westbound on-ramps at NE 1 Avenue will be shifted to the west to North Miami Avenue. NW 2 Avenue will also be reconnected under I-395 providing residents greater access. The area under I-395 and the new bridge will be transformed into 55 acres of open communal space in the Overtown neighborhood known as the Heritage Trail.
SKS Engineering is providing all environmental regulatory oversight for the project.
Project #3 – Port of Miami Tunnel Construction
The Port of Miami Tunnel (POMT) project consisted of three components: twin tunnels under Government Cut, connections to the Port of Miami roadway system and MacArthur Causeway Bridge widening. The tunnels were excavated with a hybrid Herrenknecht tunnel boring machine (TBM) capable of performing in either earth pressure balance (EPB) or slurry modes.
A 43 foot diameter tunnel boring machine specifically constructed for the project was used. The project was recognized as the ASCE Florida Branch Project of the year for 2014.
Scope of Services
SKS Engineering and Planning, Inc. provided Environmental Compliance Management personnel for the POMT project. SKS staff were responsible for overseeing construction compliance with environmental permits. This project included the construction of a 1.5 mile tunnel, upgrades and modifications to the McArthur Causeway Bridge, and all approach arteries from the Causeway to Dodge Island. Further, SKS provided oversight of all Environmental Construction Management issues, including dewatering, endangered species plant and animal protection, regulatory permit compliance, and inspection and contractor submittal review and reporting. As a sub-consultant, SKS assisted the prime in the performance of CM services involving inspection and certification of dewatering, excavation, Maintenance of Traffic, erosion control systems; evaluation of the contractor schedules, shop drawings and field practices against regulatory requirements, inspection documentation and reporting. Services also included review of contractor SWPPP and other plan submittals. As the project came to a close, SKS assisted with as-built, punch list and close-out documentation preparation. Approximate project cost: 200 Million.
Date
Project was completed in December of 2015.
References
Jacqueline Sequiera, P.E., FDOT 6 Program Manager, 305.640.7441
John Palenchar, FDOT 6 Environmental Permits Coordinator, retired, 305-333-5991
Project #4 – CEI Bonner Bridge Replacement
Marc Basnight Bridge Phase 2 Construction
North Carolina Department of Transportation, Outer Banks, NC
Description
The new 2.8 mile long Marc Basnight Bridge replaced the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge, and was built using first-of-their-kind design and construction methods to provide a 100-year service life, resist unprecedented scour depths and minimize environmental impacts while offering a reliable, safe passageway to and from Hatteras Island. The new structure is designed to resist wind, wave and vessel collision forces from the worst storms in the Atlantic Ocean, while subject to unprecedented scour depths. The foundation design includes driven, pre-stressed concrete piles for the long spans as well as the approach and transition spans. To address the concern of how to drive large displacement piles through dense sand, the NCDOT team developed innovative jetting installation methods, leading to the extensive use of refined soil-structure interaction analyses. This project also includes demolition of most of the old Bonner Bridge, while preserving and modifying the northernmost segment for pedestrian use. Following is a progress video compiled near the end of the construction of the new bridge:
New Bridge Wins International Deep Foundations Institute 2019 Outstanding Project Award:
Scope of Services
SKS Engineering and Planning, Inc. provided civil inspection personnel for both the construction of the new bridge and demolition of the old structure. SKS staff were responsible for performing and reporting on contractor daily activities, manpower and equipment use; oversight of reinforcing steel placement; materials testing including concrete and asphalt; oversight of pile driving counts and verification of pile alignment; and other types of civil inspection work, all performed in some of the most extreme weather conditions on the U.S. east coast. Approximate project cost: 250 Million.
Dates
The project was completed in the Spring of 2020.
References
Pablo Hernandez, P.E., NCDOT Project Manager, 252.423.0114
Project #5 – San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Bioregional Habitat Restoration Program
Project Summary
Ms. Teri Beckett, PE, GC, QSD and Arborist, served as Project Construction Manager on the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Bioregional Habitat Restoration Peninsula Program.
The ten (10) active BHR sites throughout the SFPUC jurisdictional area provide ecological mitigation benefits to offset environmental/habitat impacts resulting from Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) construction projects. Within the Peninsula Region, Ms. Beckett managed the CM team on the WD-2641R Project Series, which included the Homestead Pond Mitigation, Adobe Gulch Grasslands, and San Andreas Reservoir wetlands construction. Each of the sites contained the following project elements: demolition, selective clearing and disposal of invasive exotic vegetation; grading to tight tolerances for wetland construction, installation of pedestrian walkways, installation of native seed stock utilizing hydroseeding techniques, and extremely tight SWPPP controls. Ms. Beckett managed a team that provided conventional construction management as well environmental compliance support to SFPUC involving the implementation of CEQA mitigation measures addressed in project EIRs and Mitigated Negative Declarations, as specified in the CEQA-compliant Mitigation Monitoring and Report Programs (MMRP), or agency permit conditions. These include conditions specified in California Department of Fish and Game Section 1601 Streambed Alteration Agreements, San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board Section 401 Permits, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Permits, and special-status species protection specifications under the federal Endangered Species Act and California Endangered Species Act. From time to time, the construction projects required minor project deviations that may or may not have been adequately covered in the CEQA project description or environmental analysis that led to either an EIR or Mitigated Negative Declaration. In such cases, the CM Team performed CEQA-level analysis, conducted field studies related to wildlife, plants, special-status species, wetlands, or cultural resources, and assisted with preparation of documentation for submittal and approval by San Francisco Planning Department or, as required, the appropriate federal or State resource agency.
This project included California red-legged frog, San Francisco garter snake, San Francisco dusty-footed wood rat, and Mission blue butterfly habitat, with Ms. Beckett managing a series of biologists performing pre-construction surveys for nesting birds, raptors and special-status wildlife, plants and fish species, and their habitats. The Project Construction Manager duties for this project included design of conceptual Erosion Control Plans for each site, and inspecting BMP installation of the erosion control materials throughout.
Project Performance
- The Environmental Compliance team managed by Teri Beckett was able to oversee construction in an extremely ecologically sensitive area within compliance of the large variety of permit conditions governing operations.
- The team observed certain areas that required some level of redesign, brought these scenarios to the attention of BEM while recommending redesign of plant mixes and construction methodology to better replicate surrounding native conditions.
- The team was able to provide significant support and mapping recommendations during the seed collection operations just prior to installation of native vegetation.
Major construction occurred in protected animal and botanical species habitat with extremely low disturbance level of either. This was accomplished by performing stringent botanical and species pre- and during- construction surveys to avoid areas with a higher likelihood of species presence, as well as strict construction oversight.
Homestead Pond Red-Legged Frog Habitat Restoration, Flagging of Protected Vegetation
BHR Berm Seeding with Crafted Native Vegetation Seed Mix
Project #6 – D/B Project on SR 79 from North Mill Branch Bridge to SR 8 FDOT District 3
Description
This 21 mile project included construction of two new bridges, mainline drainage systems to carry roadway runoff to over 35 drainage ponds, multiple box culverts, sidewalks, water and sewer utility relocations in the City of Vernon and communication / power utility relocations throughout the entire corridor. In addition, SR 79 was widened from a 2-lane to a 4-lane facility with a grassed median throughout most of its length. The project construction value of approx $98M.
Scope of Services
SKS Engineering and Planning, Inc. provided Civil Inspection as well as Environmental Compliance Management personnel for the SR 79 Project. The civil inspection service scope included concrete, asphalt and other types of material testing and reporting, Maintenance of Traffic and erosion control system oversight. Responsibilities also included oversight of construction compliance with project environmental permits. SKS provided oversight of all Environmental Construction Management issues, including dewatering, endangered species plant and animal protection, regulatory permit compliance, and inspection and contractor submittal review and reporting. SKS also evaluated contractor schedules, shop drawings, field practices and operation plans against regulatory requirements, inspection documentation and reporting.
Dates
The project started in January of 2013, and completed in 2020.
Project Reference
Billy Robinson, FDOT 3 Project Manager, 850.836.5713, [email protected]
Project #7 – C-111 Project #7 USACE Southern Everglades Region
Description
The project consisted of levee construction and degrading, construction of water control structures for the SFWMD. Project value: $7,000,000.
Scope of Services
SKS Engineering and Planning, Inc. drafted the Environmental Protection, the Manatee and Eastern Indigo Snake, Migratory Bird Protection as well as the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans. In addition, SKS also filed the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Notice of Intent (NOI) for the project and for all modifications. All documents were approved by USACE Southern District personnel in first draft form, with no corrections required. SKS Engineering also provided water quality, snake, and manatee monitoring and reporting services for the project. SKS Engineering was primarily responsible to coordinate these and other environmental permit compliance issues with the USACE and FDEP as a contractor representative. Migratory birds that fall under the protection of the Florida Endangered and Threatened Species Act of 1977 were discovered within the final levee to be degraded. The contractor adjusted his sequence of operations to avoid impacting the nesting activity, and conducted a more detailed presence-absence survey of the area than that required by the specifications to ensure that no nests would be disturbed. The water quality report deliverables provided to the USACE by SKS for this project were described as “impeccable” and “raising the bar” by the USACE Program Manager, with some discussion as to whether samples of these reports could be incorporated into future contract documents issued by the Corps. SKS Engineering operated as a subconsultant to the construction contractor, Atlantic Civil, Inc., acting as their representative when coordinating with regulatory and environmental agencies on environmental compliance issues.
Date
Project was completed in January of 2009.
Reference
Scott Thorp, Division Director SFWMD Homestead Field Station, 305-242-5933
Project #8 - Jewfish Creek Bridge Construction
Client: Florida DOT District VI
Title: US 1 / Jewfish Creek Bridge Const.
Cost: $300,000,000
Duration: 6 Years, completed
Sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and Everglades National Park, U.S. 1 is the main roadway from the mainland to the Florida Keys. The project was constructed in a very environmentally sensitive habitat, as it had Everglades National Park, the Crocodile Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, the Southern Everglades Region, and other areas which are designated as Outstanding Florida Waters as its boundaries. The project included construction of a mile long bridge over Lake Surprise and Jewfish Creek, in addition to 21 miles of roadway over and through protected wetlands including mangrove forests and seagrass beds. The permit and therefore project requirements included:
- extremely strict water quality requirements, and phased, multiple extensive Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans with hurricane provisions;
- mangrove, seagrass and native upland tree protection issues, including arborist-supervised mangrove and other native tree trimming, and vegetation identification and marking for the purpose of impact avoidance. The project included unavoidable impacts to over 40 acres of mangrove and seagrass habitat;
- protection of Federal and State regulated species such as manatees, American crocodiles, sea turtles, etc. Manatee signage, monitoring, and erosion control structure selection to avoid endangering these and other protected species were all mandated within the US-1 Project permits;
- bird monitoring and protection measures, including Osprey nest relocation at the initiation of the project.
SKS Engineering Scope of Services
SKS Staff were responsible for overseeing construction compliance with environmental permits. Other compliance issues include endangered species and vegetation plans and protective measures, contractor education, coordination with environmental agencies. Duties also included environmental agency coordination and regulatory inspections, subaquatic surveys including seagrass impacts and debris field inspections, wildlife protection monitoring, drafted and provided environmental education programs, maintained regulatory compliance documentation including Permit Requirement trackers, and processed all permit reporting requirements, and drafted regular inspection reports. Formal contractor training sessions were held including open discussions of animal and vegetative species that are protected within the permits, as well as how to handle encounters with such. Regulatory personnel were invited and participated in the forum. SKS services also included turbidity testing and reporting, erosion control structure inspection and on-the-fly revision recommendations.
SKS performed review of contractor SWPPP and other plan submittals, inspection and certification of dewatering, excavation, Maintenance of Traffic, erosion control systems; evaluation of the contractor schedules, shop drawings and field practices against regulatory requirements, inspection documentation and reporting.
Project #9 - Upper Keys Pre-Mitigation
Client: Florida DOT District VI
Title: US 1/Jewfish Creek Bridge Pre-Mitigation
Cost: $7,100,000
Duration: 3 Years
This 7.1 million dollar pre-mitigation for Jewfish Creek Bridge was constructed eight years prior, and was the largest such project performed by FDOT serving to restore numerous sites within the Crocodile Lakes Refuge and Everglades Region. SKS performed resident engineering services as the on-site Resident Engineer, including supervision of a large team of biologists, engineers, office staff and Contractors; contract administration and inspection, as well as environmental agency interface. Water quality, endangered species and vegetation, design / permit modifications on the fly and prohibitive site conditions were all part of this highly successful project.
This 7.1 Million project was spread out over a 50 mile perimeter in the Northern Florida Keys, completed in the late 1990's, originally included clearing and grubbing of exotic vegetation, with adherence to strict permit regulations regarding the identification and preservation of small pockets of protected vegetation, chipping and mulching with seed source dispersal controls. Over 17 miles of turbidity containment structures were installed throughout the sites, to comply with the sometimes zero levels over background requirements included in the permits. Also included was the scraping down of varying types of existing material to tightly controlled elevations, the creation of tree islands and fish refugias in a freshwater emergent area, and the removal and replanting of over 5,000 protected hardwoods. As CEI Resident Engineer, Ms. Beckett made numerous design and permit modifications. The changes included: 1) modified elevations at the C-109 Canal and US1 Roadside Spoil Sites to more closely replicate surrounding natural features; 2) developed detailed planting schedules for the C109 tree islands to match tree groupings on existing islands in the basin; 3) added new mitigation areas at US1 Roadside Spoil to better improve sheet flow in the C111 basin; 4) added flushing channels throughout the Harrison Tract to improve flushing to planting areas; 5) included mangrove propagule planting at Harrison to further the FDOT's two year coverage goals; 6) modified construction method details to better facilitate work in the sensitive areas in and around the construction sites. Her duties as on site Project Resident Engineer also included supervision of the large CEI team including biologists, engineers, office staff and Contractors; contract administration, construction inspection, environmental agency interface with the SFWMD, USFWS, FWFGC, ACOE, DERM, and the FDEP. Regular progress meetings and site inspections with the FDOT, their consultants, and environmental agency representatives were held and documented.
Project #10 - Birch State Park Restoration
Client: Broward County Aviation Department
Title: HT Birch State Rec Area, Ft. Lauderdale
Cost: $2,100,000
Duration: 14 months.
This 43-acre project was constructed in one of the world's most popular tourist areas, Fort Lauderdale Beach. It consisted of selective clearing, native tree relocation, excavation to create tidal channels, open pools and mudflats to optimize habitat value, planting of native vegetation and hydrologic improvements.
As the Design/Build contractor, SKS was first tasked with redrafting the project permits to more closely reflect actual site conditions, then to construct the project in close coordination with permitting agencies and park personnel. These tasks were accomplished while delivering to the client all anticipated mitigation credits, and staying within the original project time and budget.