Jamie Rivera, PE, PMP

Our little team at RH is amazing. I suffered one of the biggest setbacks in my professional career this week. When it happened, I was shocked and confused. I didn't know what to do next. I wanted to cry, or yell, or run miles on a mountain highway until I collapsed from exhaustion. (Or maybe do all 3 together.) Instead, I watched as my team stepped up and closed ranks around me. They said (by their actions): "We are going to make the extra effort to ensure that you, and our business, get through this." A couple of my employees agreed to work over the holiday weekend. Another offered to start working in the office (instead of at home) so she could take extra stuff off my plate. Yet another offered to let the business use her SUV while we figured out how to get an extra work truck. Many of them reached out to me privately to offer support. After this support, I realized what I needed to do next. It wasn't cry. Or yell. Or push myself to the point of collapse. It was pull myself up by my bootstraps and get back to work. I've never had a group of 14 coworkers like the group I have at RH. Incredibly, most of them are under the age of 30. Half of them are under the age of 26! They don't have bachelor's degrees, or land surveying licenses, or pompous job titles. But none of those things matter to me - because what they have is a strong work ethic and excellent moral character. I wouldn't trade them for a basement full of licensed land surveyors. When you suffer a major setback (like I did this week), the instinctive reaction is to stop trusting people. It is to pull back. It is to stop caring about others so you don't get hurt. I'm old enough to understand that is the OPPOSITE of what you should do. This week made me realize two (2) things: 1) I will work from my hospital bed (if necessary) to make sure my team can provide for their families. 2) The day I leave this team behind to fend for themselves is the day they nail me shut in my coffin. The people in life that you support, and that support you, are what is truly important. Everything else (including money) is less valuable than it seems. I'm grateful to have a team that is helping me to keep my faith in humanity and my faith in friendships. #setback #faithinfriendships #getbacktowork

52

4 Comments

At Jacobs, we think differently about program management 💭 Vice President, Keoki Sears says, “I think Jacobs gives us all superpowers. The significant diversity in this company, the depth of technical expertise, the scale, the dreams and aspirations and our company’s vision allow us to do things that I know I could never do on my own or, frankly, with any other company.” No matter the size or scale of the program, we look for long-term innovative solutions to solve our client’s challenges. Learn more about how Keoki and #OurJacobs tackle program management globally below! 🌎 https://lnkd.in/gmnjrYQj #ProgramManagement #BoldlyMovingForward

40

As those in the construction industry know, Iowa Code Chapter 573 governs public projects in Iowa in many aspects, including setting forth the rights and obligations of those involved in public projects in regard to retainage. From time to time, there are disputes in the interplay between the various provisions of this chapter and questions about the balancing of the rights among the various players in the project—the project owner, the general/principal contractor and the subcontractors. Fredrikson attorneys Jodie Clark McDougal and Jackson G. O'Brien expand in the latest article in The Construction Counselor: https://bit.ly/3UyyStl

6

At Jacobs, we think differently about program management 💭 Vice President, Keoki Sears says, “I think Jacobs gives us all superpowers. The significant diversity in this company, the depth of technical expertise, the scale, the dreams and aspirations and our company’s vision allow us to do things that I know I could never do on my own or, frankly, with any other company.” No matter the size or scale of the program, we look for long-term innovative solutions to solve our client’s challenges. Learn more about how Keoki and #OurJacobs tackle program management globally below! 🌎 https://lnkd.in/gmnjrYQj #ProgramManagement #BoldlyMovingForward

28

At Jacobs, we think differently about program management 💭 Vice President, Keoki Sears says, “I think Jacobs gives us all superpowers. The significant diversity in this company, the depth of technical expertise, the scale, the dreams and aspirations and our company’s vision allow us to do things that I know I could never do on my own or, frankly, with any other company.” No matter the size or scale of the program, we look for long-term innovative solutions to solve our client’s challenges. Learn more about how Keoki and #OurJacobs tackle program management globally below! 🌎 https://lnkd.in/gmnjrYQj #ProgramManagement #BoldlyMovingForward

50

2 Comments

With the changes to legislation last year, more public entities are able to use the CM@R delivery model for their general contractor. So, what does this mean...please take a look at our white paper and let me know if you would like to learn more. The result is better estimating, a better experience and a better final product.

18

This article highlighting Keoki Sears and his views, thoughts and experiences on program management at #OurJacobs is excellent. Hope you all can enjoy the article, the diversity of positive results from a solid program management approach and how it influences successes of different attributes for major program delivery and their surrounding communities.  

18

Check out this Article Evan Anderson from Pearl! What makes a qualified contractor? Is it technical ability, or is it a company with the best salesperson? Often, when I use the whole-house approach, my bids are significantly higher than those of my competitors. We test in and out to ensure that the customers we serve "get" what they paid for. If customers make a price-only decision, they lock themselves into an 18-year cycle of poor comfort and high utility bills. You can suffer significant losses by misapplying heat pumps, especially in a cold climate. How can we step up contractor and technician training?

6

1 Comment

Illinois unveils $41 billion infrastructure program Illinois has unveiled the largest infrastructure program in state history, with plans to spend $41.42 billion on roads, bridges, rail lines, ports and airports. "The $29 billion in highway improvements, including significant investment in the much-needed reconstruction of the I-290 corridor, will support Illinois’ continued efforts towards a safe and efficient transportation system” "Modernizing our infrastructure is crucial for creating jobs, reducing congestion, and building a stronger economy.” The centerpiece is the reconstruction of the Illinois 50 and Illinois 43 interchanges, with modifications and signal improvements to reduce congestion and increase accommodations for people who walk and bike. “Every job that we create, every commute we make easier, every accident that we prevent, that is what this work is all about” If you are in need of high-level individuals in Construction, Estimation, Engineering or Management, or you would like to work on award-winning, high-profile projects, message me directly or reach out to james.oleary@imperium-global.com Imperium Global https://lnkd.in/ewMNVKWG

15

Wisconsin Highway 50 underwent a transformative reconstruction, accommodating a growing population and fostering multimodal transportation. Discover how HNTB modernized 4.7 miles of roadway in Kenosha. Explore how this project delivers equitable access and improved traffic flow: https://ow.ly/E8Ge50RAnGv #EngineersMakeItHappen

22

At Jacobs, we think differently about program management 💭 Vice President, Keoki Sears says, “I think Jacobs gives us all superpowers. The significant diversity in this company, the depth of technical expertise, the scale, the dreams and aspirations and our company’s vision allow us to do things that I know I could never do on my own or, frankly, with any other company.” No matter the size or scale of the program, we look for long-term innovative solutions to solve our client’s challenges. Learn more about how Keoki and #OurJacobs tackle program management globally below! 🌎 https://lnkd.in/gmnjrYQj #ProgramManagement #BoldlyMovingForward

12

Tuesday, the Illinois Economic Policy Institute ("ILEPI") and the Project for Middle Class Renewal ("PMCR") at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign released a first-of-its-kind analysis of construction projects from the Port of Seattle between 2016 and 2023 - including airports and seaports - showing that project labor agreements ("PLAs") promote competition amongst contractors, control construction costs, and deliver superior workforce development outcomes over projects completed without PLAs. Specifically, researchers found: 1. PLA projects averaged 16% more bidders. After accounting for project size and complexity and other factors, the number of bids was not statistically different on PLA projects. 2. PLA projects were more likely to be awarded below the engineer’s estimate (74%) than non-PLA projects (69%). 3. PLAs have no effect on total construction costs, after accounting for project size and complexity, bid competition, and other factors. 4. PLA projects had 5% more labor hours worked by apprentices and were 23% more likely to achieve apprenticeship utilization goals. 5. PLA projects were nearly twice as likely to meet women apprentice goals (55%) as non-PLA projects (29%). https://lnkd.in/e4yme3YT

9

Funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are already being disbursed around the country – below is a small but illustrative snapshot of the kinds of projects that the BIL has funded in its first two years: 1. The City of Detroit was awarded $104 million to replace the sunken I-375 freeway with a lower-speed, pedestrian-friendly boulevard. In the 1960s, this freeway displaced thousands of Black residents in the Black Bottom and Paradise Valley communities. https://lnkd.in/e_VsApjr  2. $8.72 million is going to the Hopi Arsenic Mitigation Project in Arizona to remove the arsenic that has contaminated the Tribe’s water supply since the 1960s. https://lnkd.in/eQV5XdjF 3. The Atlantic County Special Services School District in Atlantic City, NJ was awarded $1.5 million to replace diesel school buses with zero-emissions buses to improve students’ air quality. https://lnkd.in/eG_apekR 4. $10 million is going to Donaldsonville, Louisiana, to modernize and improve the safety of the city’s legacy natural gas pipelines that currently pose major health risks to community members. https://lnkd.in/eMm6mnWe 5. Kentucky’s Greenup County School District is receiving $15 million to install solar panels, upgrade buildings, and launch a Green Energy Pathways career program for high schoolers to learn about the green energy industry. https://lnkd.in/en-tyRqB 6. The Maryland Equitable Charging Infrastructure Partnership received $15 million to deploy 58 EV charging stations at housing and municipal sites in EJ communities. Workers who have been historically underrepresented will also be supported to join the EV industry. https://lnkd.in/er4iXtQ2 Check out our full report here to read about more BIL success stories that can inspire future grant applications and an in-depth analysis of the Law: https://lnkd.in/ei_AvCVx

9

Will Manitobans be asking themselves this question when Grand Rapids Dam collapses? It has been reported that the Grand Rapids generating station for the past 2 decades is experiencing structural integrity issues? Are we putting residents and community safety and security at risk? So many questions - no answers? Manitoba Hydro and successive provincial governments are not willing to make the obvious decision which is to protect the public. A decision to decommission the grand rapids electricity generating facilities is in the “public interest”! With the recent announcement by Mb Hydro that the current electricity generation capacity is almost maxed out! we need to have an open and transparent process to assist and support a sustainable and reliable energy supply. We need a risk management audit of Manitoba Hydro? We need to revisit other projects such as the “refurbished” Pointe du Bois generating station - is it a reliable and financially viable investment? Need to identify reliable alternative energy sources to provide a secure energy and affordable supply for Manitobas future? We need leadership focused on strengthening capacity and efficiency for Manitobans and less on self interest and moonlighting in the USA and elsewhere!

4

1 Comment

The development of high-speed rail in the United States now also has legislative support. The American High-Speed Rail Act has the clear intention of building an infrastructure network for high-capacity, high-speed trains, with an investment of $205 billion over five years. This is one of the big projects to get America moving again. #Webuild

1

📢 Calling ALL Young Engineers 📢 The Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI)'s Young Engineers Symposium is coming up in just 2 months and it's hard to believe that the event I helped start is already in its 💥8TH YEAR💥 To celebrate, we are inviting young engineers everywhere to attend or present virtually! The Call for Abstracts is officially open! The point of the YE Symposium is to give young engineers an opportunity to practice presenting before an audience of their peers (instead of an audience of their superiors). Presentations are brief - 15 minutes max - and can be on any topic - a case study, a lesson learned, an analysis tool that you developed for a project, really anything related to structural engineering. ✨For more information and to submit an abstract for consideration, check out: https://lnkd.in/gFcjew7y Key dates: 🔔 12/15 - Abstracts Due 🔔 12/20 - Abstract Selection Notification 🔔 1/26 - Presentation Slides Due 🔔 1/30, 6-8 PM (Central) - PRESENT❗ Questions❓ Email SEAOI's Young Engineers Committee at yec@seaoi.org.

23

KL roadway designers, traffic engineering staff, and key contributors from Wisconsin Department of Transportation met regularly to coordinate construction plans that would get the WIS 26 Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) project built, while allowing the public safe access through the evolving construction zones. Two lanes of traffic were always open throughout construction. The design had to navigate a confined environment with commercial properties, while minimizing real estate impacts. It also required additional pavement width and lane adjustments to accommodate Over-Sized Over-Weight (OSOW) vehicles turning through this City of Janesville, Wisconsin interchange. “We essentially needed to design the whole interchange and then break it apart into small chunks that could be built one after another, while traffic is shifted around them. We created separate sheets in the plans to illustrate the change in a way that made sense, while staggering ramp closures with detours,” said Josh Mercier, P.E., one of KL’s design engineers for the project. KL’s Dan Ryan led the construction staging for the project. He added, “When we set out to develop the overall traffic control / staging concept we worked with WisDOT to carefully balance the public travel demand while ensuring a safe work zone for motorists, pedestrians, and construction staff.” There were 8 distinctly different stages required to accommodate traffic at the southbound I-39 ramp with WIS 26, and 10 stages at the northbound I-39 ramp. As construction advanced, proposed signal equipment was blended with the temporary signal system as a technique to get everything installed as efficiently as possible. Some temporary signal locations required shifting by over a hundred feet over night! This amazing project has been honored with four awards: a 2023 WisDOT Excellence in Highway Design Award, the ASCE Wisconsin Section 2023 Engineering Achievement Award, the ACEC Wisconsin 2024 Engineering Excellence “Best of State” Award, and a 2024 American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) National Recognition Award. Know someone who is ready to make a change? KL Engineering is always looking for great talent to join our award-winning team! Check out our Careers page for more details and learn what #ABetterExperience is all about. https://lnkd.in/gy9K54wt

24

VA Hospital in Iowa City Seeking Design-Build Contractor for Storage Facility Replacement U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is conducting market research to identify qualified design-build contractors for a new storage facility at the IOWA CITY VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM (IA) (NAICS 236220). Respond by July 3rd! Project Description: The VA needs a contractor to design and build a new, two-story storage facility to replace an existing temporary building. The new building will be approximately 2,000 square feet and must include temperature/humidity controls. The project also includes repairing the foundation of the existing building and repairing an adjacent building. Qualifications Sought: Experience with design-build construction projects of similar size, complexity, and scope. Bonding capacity sufficient for the project's magnitude ($2M - $5M). Ability to self-perform a significant portion of the work. https://lnkd.in/edBt94iK #designbuild #construction #storage #veterans #VAcontract #governmentcontracts #SourcesSoughtNotice #SmallBiz #GovCon #VOSB #SDVOSB #VetsFirst #VAVetsFirst #SetAside #MarketResearch #RequestForInformation #construction #AE #Renovation #Building #DesignBuild Society of American Military Engineers #Design #Architect #Engineer #buildingmaintenance #facilitymanagement #facilitiesmaintenance #facilitiesmanagement #medicalbuilding #medicalconstruction CIRAS APEX Accelerator

7

1 Comment

𝐃𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧? Land clearing has many applications, from preparing a space for construction to helping start a sustainable garden. Whether you are clearing a small area or a large section of land, it is important to be aware of regulations that may be in place to protect Michigan's environment. If the land clearing project is larger than one acre or within 500 feet of lakes or streams, a Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (SESC) permit from the county or municipality where the land resides may be necessary before starting the project. Such permits ensure that preventive measures are taken against soil erosion which would limit potential harm caused by the activity and keep natural habitats safe. Although obtaining such a permit can seem like an inconvenience, it is well worth it in order to protect Michigan's pristine environment for generations to come. If you have more questions or have land that you are considering clearing don't hesitate to reach. https://lnkd.in/gdahGQYw #puremichigan #landclearing #landdevelopment #stumpdemolition #propertydevelopment #stumpremoval #brushremoval

1