Horrocks Engineers has again been listed on Engineering News-Record’s (ENR’s) Top 500 Design Firms

Horrocks Engineers has again been listed on Engineering News-Record’s (ENR’s) Top 500 Design Firms for 2012. Our firm ranks 347 among the 500 largest U.S.-based designs firms. Ranking is determined by amount of revenue the firm brings in, specific to design work performed. Horrocks’ solid reputation and renowned design capabilities have enabled a strong presence within the nation’s engineering industry, despite the past four years of recession.

We are proud to be among the Top 500 Design Firms in the country, particularly during a time when investment in infrastructure was down. Now, as the economy recovers and construction investments are projected to grow 6% in the coming year, Horrocks looks forward to continued success and growth. We will continue to connect people with needed infrastructure, as well as create an intelligent and planned connection to the future.

Horrocks Engineers’ Michael Brehm to Receive National Community Service Award

Washington, D.c.—Michael Brehm, senior environmental engineer at Horrocks Engineers in Pleasant Grove, Utah, will be presented a 2012 Community Service Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) at the upcoming ACEC Fall Conference in Boca Raton, Fla., on October 16.

The award recognizes a principal or manager of an ACEC member firm who has made outstanding contributions to the quality of life in his or her community.

Brehm has an exemplary record of community service in the Salt Lake region, including important advisory roles to four Utah Governors through various board and committee appointments.  He is a founding member of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce Environmental Affairs Committee; a member of the Utah Department of Facilities Green Building Committee, a member of the University of Utah and Utah State University ABET Engineering Accreditation Task Force; and he is a recurring instructor for young engineers studying for their P.E. exams.

He also is the oldest, longest-serving and fully active member of the Salt Lake County Search & Rescue Team, where he remains certified in mountain, swift water, winter, and climbing rescues.

Horrocks Engineers’ Senior Environmental Engineer Receives National Community Service Award

“I am very proud of this award. It means a lot to know I have been acknowledged by this pretty esteemed panel of engineering leaders from around the country.” – Michael Brehm, P.E.

Michael Brehm, P.E., has been awarded the prestigious 2012 National Community Service award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). Over his 28-year career, he has contributed his time and talent to a diversity of causes including government, industry, education, and the nonprofit sector – some of which are listed below.

Michael has served appointments under four Utah governors, on an Advisory Panel supporting Technology Commercialization efforts of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and as Chair of the Governor’s Science Advisory Council. On behalf of the engineering industry, he has served as a Board Member and President of ACEC-Utah.  Michael was a founding member of the Consulting Engineers Council of Utah Environmental Committee, the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce Environmental Committee, and the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals.

His commitment to community has been illustrated in a variety of venues. He has volunteered as a judge for the Salt Lake Science and Engineering Fair and Utah FIRST Lego Competition, lending his professional knowledge to the learning experience of young students. But possibly his most outstanding community contribution has been his current role as the oldest, longest-serving volunteer on Salt County Sherriff’s Search and Rescue team. He has risen in the ranks over the years, variously serving as quartermaster, Vice-Commander, and Commander of these dedicated volunteers who brave mountain and water rescues, no matter the season.

All of us at Horrocks Engineers are proud to call Michael a member of our staff and offer our congratulations for this well-deserved honor.  He will be formally recognized at ACECs Fall Conference this October in Boca Raton, Florida.

The ACEC is the voice of America’s engineering industry. Council members – numbering more than 5,000 firms representing more than 500,000 employees throughout the country – are engaged in a wide range of engineering works that propel the nation’s economy, and enhance and safeguard America’s quality of life.

Horrocks Engineers Receives 2012 Excellence in Transportation Award from ITD

Horrocks is honored to receive the 2012 Excellence in Transportation award from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) in recognition of its innovative problem solving process and solution for issues arising after completion of the I-84 bridge expansion over the New York Canal in Boise, Idaho.

The bridge expansion required a substantial increase in the number of piers in the canal, going from 28 to 60 piers. Once construction was complete, the increase of piers resulted in wave oscillation and surging water patterns. This wave phenomenon began to erode away the east bank of the canal, creating potential for extensive damage and expense. In response, ITD retained Horrocks Engineers to investigate the cause and develop a solution. The phenomenon at play was unique; the answers could not be found utilizing any conventional water modeling software. Physical modeling was required for proper investigation.

Horrocks recruited the Utah State University Water Lab to construct a scaled physical model of the New York Canal. Their team built a 1:9 indoor scale model of a 900-foot stretch of the canal. The Horrocks/Utah State team worked closely with ITD and the Boise Project Board of Control to successfully replicate the oscillation and surging patterns. After testing a range of possible solutions, the final product was innovative, simple, and cost-effective. Placement of concrete nose cones, designed by Horrocks, on each pier completely eliminated the wave-surging phenomenon.

Horrocks’ nose cone product was constructed for less than $100,000, far exceeding ITD’s expected costs. The investment in engineering to develop this solution paid dividends to ITD in construction cost savings and provided a lasting and effective resolution to a very unique problem.

Horrocks is proud to receive ITD’s recognition and this prestigious award.

UDOT Awards Horrocks Traffic Engineers

Two of Horrocks’ traffic engineers were recognized as part of the Team/Group of the Year at the 2011 UDOT Annual Conference on November 16, for their contributions to the Utah County I-15 Corridor Expansion (I-15 CORE). Mike Merkley, P.E., and Kelly Ash, P.E., were honored at the conference for their roles in delivering the I-15 CORE Project goals.

The Utah County I-15 CORE Project included the commitment to support local drivers by minimizing inconveniences, constantly improving services, achieving great performance, and creating synergy within all aspects of the project, according to UDOT.

Merkley and Ash were included in the award for developing innovative solutions to minimize traffic impacts and to unify three separate Utah County traffic signals systems. They implemented signal timing plans for detours, crashes, and civic events, while also eliminating unnecessary lane closures to ensure the public the use of every possible lane.

With the cooperation of Provo and Orem, the Traffic Team managed traffic for two Stadium of Fire events, seven BYU football games, and 17 BYU basketball games, while achieving a 45% reduction in delays during these events compared to previous events, according to UDOT.

Additional members of Horrocks’ Traffic department Troy Noall, Taylor Forbush, and Luke Seegmiller also contributed to the project.

ITE Honors Horrocks’ Traffic Engineers

Several of Horrocks’ traffic engineers were recognized for their outstanding contributions to transportation engineering by the Utah Chapter of the Institute of Transportation Engineers(ITE) on January 20, 2011. Awards were presented at a ceremony as part of ITE’s annual conference in Salt Lake City.

Senior Traffic Engineer Mack Christensen received the “2010 Engineer of the Year Award” for his efforts on the Pioneer Crossing project and dedication to ITE over his career. Mack served as the Maintenance of Traffic Manager on the Pioneer Crossing project, leading the traffic team in developing an innovative and effective maintenance of traffic plan that minimized impacts to the traveling public during construction of the new six-mile long, seven-lane roadway. Mack has more than 30 years of experience in traffic engineering, maintenance of traffic, and traffic safety.

Additional members of Horrocks’ Traffic department were honored for their work on UDOT’s I 15 CORE Traffic Operations, which won the”2010 Project of the Year Award”. Horrocks’ traffic department was instrumental in maintaining efficient traffic operations throughout work on I-15 in 2010.  Horrocks worked closely with the UDOT Traffic Operations Center, I-15 CORE management team, Orem City, and Provo City to develop numerous signal timing plans for freeway closures, detours, and new traffic patterns.  Horrocks also developed signal timing plans for special events at BYU, most notably, Stadium of Fire and football games.  Horrocks’ efforts were well-noticed at the beginning of the season; the newly implemented traffic plan allowed the stadium parking lot to be offloaded faster than ever before.  This brought much positive attention from politicians and news media. 
 
ITE recognized the following members of Horrocks’ team for their skill and diligence in developing cost-effective   methods for improving mobility on the I-15 CORE project:
• Mike Merkley,
• Tom Stiles
• Troy Noall
• Taylor Forbush
• Kelly Ash
• Luke Seegmiller

Horrocks Receives Mayor’s Service Award

Horrocks Engineers was presented with the American Fork City Mayor’s Service Award in “Recognition of (their) Dedicated Service and Honoring (their) Talent and Vision in the Design and Construction of the American Fork Pressurized Irrigation System.”

Three firms and five individuals were presented with awards for the AFPI Project. Along with Horrocks, Hansen Allen & Luce and Franson Civil Engineers were also recognized for their parts in the project.  The awards were presented by Mayor James Hadfield at the American Fork City Council Meeting Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011.

Two Horrocks employees, John Schiess and Scott Olson, were presented with individual Outstanding Service Awards for exceeding the City’s expectations during the project.

John served as Project Manager and directed the efforts of the team and project contractors. Scott Olson served as the Field Engineer and oversaw the installation of project elements.

Since the proposal stage of the project, the team, led by Horrocks Engineers, had a plan and vision. Mayor Hadfield said this vision was why the team was selected for the job. He was impressed with the outcome of the project and the efforts it required.

“To bring three firms together for the benefit of a single municipality is quite a feat,” Mayor Hadfield said.

The AFPI project is a city-wide pressurized irrigation system that was funded with a $47 million city bond. The system was designed and implemented in order for the City to meet current and future water resource needs.

The system contains 110 miles of transmission and distribution pipeline, upper and lower reservoirs, flood irrigation turnouts, filter stations, stream diversions, and other essential elements.

The City contracted with 21 local contractors in order to complete the necessary work, which helped boost the local business economy. Along with contractor coordination, the project team also coordinated with various water districts, irrigation companies, cities, property owners, and businesses to make the project successful.

Horrocks Engineers oversaw the entire project, as well as led the design, construction management, and public involvement efforts.

Construction began in the spring of 2008 and was completed in the summer of 2010.

Horrocks Receives UDOT Rural Project of the Year Award

Horrocks received the 2010 Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Rural Project of the Year for the I-70 Eagle Canyon Bridge Project at the annual UDOT Conference Awards Banquet, Nov. 17. The award is the Department’s recognition for designing an innovative project using accelerated bridge construction, which allows for fewer roadway closures and disturbances of traffic flow.

 “It’s another example of how we can use technology as a way to minimize impacts to the community,” said Horrocks Vice President Larry Reasch.

 The I-70 Eagle Canyon Bridge project rehabilitated the deck of a steel truss bridge that spans Eagle Canyon at milepost 119.6 in Emery County. The deck structures were constructed along the side of the roadway and were later moved into place. Along with ABC construction, the Horrocks roadway design team provided temporary construction crossovers on I-70 to facilitate the necessary construction efforts and traffic flow. The total project cost an approximate $5.3 million and was completed in the fall 2010.

Horrocks Wins Three ACEC Awards

Horrocks Engineers prides itself in providing top-quality services to our clients. Our staff’s efforts were rewarded this year by the achievement of three awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)-Utah, which were presented at the 2011 Engineering Excellence Banquet at the Grand America Hotel on Dec. 2.

 Horrocks received the Grand Inceptor Award for Structural Systems for the I-80, 1300 East to State CMGC. The Grand Inceptor is the top project in its category, based on the judging criteria of utilizing innovative engineering techniques; future contribution to the engineering profession; social, economic, and sustainable design considerations; complexity; and exceeding the client’s needs. Horrocks is honored to receive such an award.

  “We were recognized by a panel of our peers as having a best project in the State … and for our contribution to the engineering community for our innovation and technology,” said Vice President Larry Reasch, who accepted the award on Horrocks’ behalf. “This is a great recognition for our firm to be honored as one of the top design firms in the State.”

 Horrocks also received an Honor Award for the Southern Parkway and an Honor Award for American Fork Pressurized Irrigation.

The ACEC-Utah is a nonprofit corporation with the aim “to promote the business interests of engineering companies in Utah by providing business services and legislative advocacy,” according to the ACEC-Utah Web site.

MSC Honors Horrocks with Three Project Awards

Horrocks was proud to receive three awards from Mountain States Construction for their Intermountain Best of 2010 Awards. Mountain States Construction, a regional magazine, presented Horrocks with the Outstanding Engineer Design – Gold and Outstanding Transportation Project – Gold awards, both for the I-80, 1300 East to State, CMGC project in Salt Lake City, Utah; and the Outstanding Retail Project – Silver award for the Valley Fair Mall renovation project in West Valley, Utah.

 All three awards were presented at the MSC Intermountain Best of 2010 Awards Ceremony Nov. 5 at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City.

 The I-80, 1300 East to State Street project included approximately 2 miles of mainline I-80 and required replacement of 17 bridges. Because the existing bridges were deteriorating at a rapid rate, this project demanded an extremely aggressive schedule, with seven bridge replacements being completed within a two-month window. Design and construction innovations included ABC bridge replacement, the use of an onsite “bridge farm” where the ABC bridges were constructed, development of a new system for transporting prefabricated bridges, and a movable barrier system to improve commuter traffic flow. This project has received several industry honors, and was featured by the National Geographic Channel on the show “World’s Toughest Fixes.”

 The Valley Fair Mall renovation project redeveloped the 700,316 square-foot regional shopping mall to an approximate 1.2 million square-foot shopping and entertainment center. The project added outdoor retail stores with a town center feel, pedestrian friendly walkways and plaza, an interactive water feature, and an amphitheater.    

 Mountain States Construction is a monthly engineering/construction trade magazine published by McGraw-Hill Construction and covers industry news from Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. The magazine recognizes top firms and projects on an annual basis.