A LOOK AHEAD
Here is a quick glimpse into projects in the works
across the country. Watch for more on them in our blog
(AyresAssociates.com/blog/) and in future TRENDS issues.
SERVING AFTER THE STORM
After an 11-year respite from major storms, Hurricane
Matthew wreaked havoc in October as it skirted the Atlantic
coast of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Even though final
damage totals will be in the billions, it could’ve been worse
for Florida if the storm had shifted a few miles inland.
As part of the state's
post-storm response,
Ayres Associates
provided damage
assessments on roads,
bridges, culverts, and
ancillary highway
structures for the
Florida Department of
Transportation (FDOT)
from Brevard County to the Georgia state line. Immediately
after the storm passed Brevard County the morning of
October 7, crews from outside the affected zone mobilized to
assess infrastructure while the storm continued its daylong
trek up the coast. Northeast Florida took the brunt of the
storm during high tide, which is where Ayres’ inspection
crews spent significant time.
Inspectors found significant bank erosion around bridges
and fishing piers, including washed away portions of roads,
guard rails suspended in mid-air, and significant channel
scour around bridges. Ayres has held post-hurricane damage
assessment contracts with FDOT for many years. This was the
first time services were needed since the state’s last major
storm, Hurricane Wilma, on October 24, 2005.
WEIGHING THE OPTIONS
Barron County, Wisconsin, was at a crossroads: What to do
with the aging waste-to-energy facility near the town of
Almena? Should it be decommissioned? Rebuilt? Or should
the County look into other waste disposal alternatives?
The 30-year-old waste incinerator – one of only two
incinerators in Wisconsin – has handled the County’s solid
waste needs admirably for decades, but it is nearing the end
of its life expectancy. Potential options for the future of the
facility need to fit the County’s
requirements and budget.
The Barron County Solid Waste
Board hired the team of Ayres
and Burns & McDonnell to
complete a feasibility study
to provide the information
needed to make the best
choice for the County and its residents.
The study involves evaluating the options for rebuild or
possible demolition of the facility, taking into account current
and future regulatory air standards, waste intake needs,
and new incinerator technologies available for construction.
The team is developing a financial model to estimate annual
revenue streams and project costs for various operational
scenarios over the expected 30-year life span of a rebuilt
or new facility. Costs and other potential economic impacts
associated with closing the facility were also considered.
SHARED SUCCESSES
For nearly two decades – ever since the Suburban Chicago
Municipal GIS Consortium’s inception in 1999 – Ayres
has been developing detailed geospatial products for the
organization’s member communities. With the aerial mapping
group’s recent re-selection as the GISC’s mapping service
provider, the longtime partnership continues to provide
photogrammetric mapping, LiDAR, and orthoimagery services.
While much of the data collected is new, a large portion of
the efforts focuses on updating existing photogrammetric
mapping to reflect the ever-changing landscape of the
communities.
The GISC comprises 32 municipalities in six counties. The
group represents communities ranging from 2 to nearly
20 square miles, with populations of 7,000 to 60,000. The
organization’s core objective is to acquire and collectively
apply GIS and base mapping resources for all
members. Because geospatial
services are available to every
member of the GISC, even the
smallest communities can afford
this data and learn how to apply
it from the collective knowledge
base of the GISC.
TRENDS
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