Geotechnical
Engineering
Soil, rock, and groundwater conditions at every site are different. We assess the specific site conditions and design earth structures (slopes, channels, and dikes), foundations (retaining walls, bridges, buildings, tanks), and subsurface structures (clarifiers, lift stations, buried utilities, tunnels) to economically achieve the specific project objectives.
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Construction Materials
Engineering
& Testing
Construction material performance is key to the function and durability of any project. We engineer and test materials such as soil, concrete, and asphalt so you get what you pay for and the project performs as expected.
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Civil/Pavement
Engineering
A successful project starts with clear understanding of the project’s specific needs. We prepared street rehabilitation PS&E, traffic control designs, pavement designs, and asset management systems based on careful understanding of design requirements.
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Environmental Geology
& Engineering
Impact from hazardous waste, wetlands, faulting, and/or NEPA processes are serious concerns for project development. We identify such concerns early in project development, and provide strategies to mitigate impacts and provide the proper regulatory approval so the project can proceed on time and achieve the project goals.
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Roads & Bridges
Congestion and failing road surfaces cause delays, vehicle damage, and even driver safety issues. Solving these problems requires our specialized knowledge of pavement and roadway structures.
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Water, Wastewater & Flood Control
Drinking water, flushing toilets, and dry streets for granted – until they are gone. We specialize in keeping these systems running effectively.
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Airports, Ports & Dredging
Expanding and maintaining ports and airports is crucial to our economic development. HVJ’s specialized pavement, wharf, and navigation channel experience makes it happen.
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Rail & Transit
Rail and public transit facilities enable efficient transportation of people and goods. Our detailed knowledge of AREMA requirements keeps projects on track.
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Buildings & Parks
Schools, universities, courts, parks, solid waste facilities are all critical to our society. HVJ has specialized knowledge and experience with a multitude of public projects.
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HVJ Difference
Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive.
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Culture
We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results.
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Benefits
We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits.
Learn More →
Employee Stories
Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project.
Learn More →
Current Openings
We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams.
Learn More →
The Opportunity
Own a successful engineering business by adding our proven systems to your engineering talent and network.
Learn More →
How It Works
Help us branchise – you help us build a branch office and then convert it into your own franchise.
Learn More →
Who's A Fit?
Are you energetic and confident? See if this might be an opportunity that fits you.
Learn More →
Success Stories
Hear about the outstanding results our current franchisees have produced using our proven systems.
Learn More →
Geotechnical
Engineering
Soil, rock, and groundwater conditions at every site are different. We assess the specific site conditions and design earth structures (slopes, channels, and dikes), foundations (retaining walls, bridges, buildings, tanks), and subsurface structures (clarifiers, lift stations, buried utilities, tunnels) to economically achieve the specific project objectives.
Learn More →
Construction Materials
Engineering
& Testing
Construction material performance is key to the function and durability of any project. We engineer and test materials such as soil, concrete, and asphalt so you get what you pay for and the project performs as expected.
Learn More →
Civil/Pavement
Engineering
A successful project starts with clear understanding of the project’s specific needs. We prepared street rehabilitation PS&E, traffic control designs, pavement designs, and asset management systems based on careful understanding of design requirements.
Learn More →
Environmental Geology
& Engineering
Impact from hazardous waste, wetlands, faulting, and/or NEPA processes are serious concerns for project development. We identify such concerns early in project development, and provide strategies to mitigate impacts and provide the proper regulatory approval so the project can proceed on time and achieve the project goals.
Learn More →
Roads & Bridges
Congestion and failing road surfaces cause delays, vehicle damage, and even driver safety issues. Solving these problems requires our specialized knowledge of pavement and roadway structures.
Learn More →
Water, Wastewater & Flood Control
Drinking water, flushing toilets, and dry streets for granted – until they are gone. We specialize in keeping these systems running effectively.
Learn More →
Airports, Ports & Dredging
Expanding and maintaining ports and airports is crucial to our economic development. HVJ’s specialized pavement, wharf, and navigation channel experience makes it happen.
Learn More →
Rail & Transit
Rail and public transit facilities enable efficient transportation of people and goods. Our detailed knowledge of AREMA requirements keeps projects on track.
Learn More →
Buildings & Parks
Schools, universities, courts, parks, solid waste facilities are all critical to our society. HVJ has specialized knowledge and experience with a multitude of public projects.
Learn More →
HVJ Difference
Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive.
Learn More →
Culture
We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results.
Learn More →
Benefits
We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits.
Learn More →
Employee Stories
Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project.
Learn More →
Current Openings
We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams.
Learn More →
Agencies
HVJ has been proud to support hundreds of public agencies meet and exceed service expectations from their constituents.
Learn More →
Consultant Clients
We’ve developed ongoing teaming relationships with many consulting firms based on delivering outstanding client satisfaction.
Learn More →
HVJ Difference
Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive.
Learn More →
Culture
We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results.
Learn More →
Benefits
We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits.
Learn More →
Employee Stories
Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project.
Learn More →
Current Openings
We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams.
Learn More →
The Opportunity
Own a successful engineering business by adding our proven systems to your engineering talent and network.
Learn More →
How It Works
Help us branchise – you help us build a branch office and then convert it into your own franchise.
Learn More →
Who's A Fit?
Are you energetic and confident? See if this might be an opportunity that fits you.
Learn More →
Success Stories
Hear about the outstanding results our current franchisees have produced using our proven systems.
Learn More →
The Broadway Street Project
The City of San Antonio initiated a $24 million Design-Build project on Broadway Street from E. Houston Street to IH-35. The project is part of the City’s 2017 Proposition 1 Bond Package which allocates $42 million to reconstruction of the Broadway corridor with “curbs, sidewalks, driveway approaches, bicycle amenities, lighting, drainage, and traffic improvements, as appropriate.” The work included relocating utilities (sewage, water, etc.), improving drainage systems, providing bicycle facility connectivity, improving landscaping, upgrading traffic signals, and improving the streets after completion of the underground utility work.
Our client, AECOM, provided the civil and utility upgrade designs while SUNDT provided construction services. AECOM subcontracted with HVJ for geotechnical services and pavement reconstruction design services. HVJ’s geotechnical team evaluated the subsurface conditions and materials to aid in the design of traffic signals and Low Impact Design bioretention structure foundations, provided utility backfill recommendations, pavements required by the scope. HVJ then provided pavement design and construction recommendations.
Broadway Street is a heavily traveled, arterial street in a historical area of San Antonio with flooding and pedestrian challenges. The city needed this project to be completed with minimal impact to surrounding businesses, the environment, and disruptions to parking and traffic flow. The solution required accounting for stormwater through Low Impact Development (LID) practices to aid with the flooding and provide bicycle access lines for pedestrians. Because the area is a constantly-busy roadway, it wasn’t possible to use retention ponds to manage the overflow problem that caused flooding, so in addition to the storm sewer system, innovative and green drainage features needed to be incorporated.
Due to its age and historical location, the roadway required working around old, abandoned and buried infrastructure and many live utilities before the field exploration and testing could take place. The pavement recommendations also needed to account for varying types of materials underneath the road, including a former trolley line, and be completed efficiently to minimize disruptions to area merchants and other stakeholders such as the VIA transit authority.
Our objective was to provide a reliable geotechnical assessment of subsurface conditions for utility installation, foundation construction, and to give recommendations for pavement restoration.
We were to complete this work in accordance with the Design-Build Program Manual and the City of San Antonio Standard Specifications for Construction guidance, in which the designer and contractor work together to problem-solve collaboratively. Design-Build encourages collaboration and efficiency, as the design doesn’t have to be finished before beginning the work. It requires a high level of responsive communication among all parties involved.
HVJ’s first step was the geotechnical assessment, including testing soil and core samples. There were many utilities in the area, so HVJ’s team coordinated on-site with multiple utility representatives, including those from cable, water/sewer, gas, electrical, telecommunications, fiber optics, and roadway, to ensure no utilities would be damaged through the field exploration process. One intersection in particular was identified as a utility hotel, as it was a highly dense hub of utilities, that we needed to avoid when drilling. Communication was key to providing a safe and danger-free zone when working with these underground utilities.
Samples collected allowed us to provide recommendations for the utility trench excavation. We provided information such as how the ground conditions would affect stormwater and the extent to which soil would shrink or swell when going through the wet or dry cycles. The testing aided with the engineering design for the proposed structures and the pavement at this site.
For the pavement restoration, we used non-destructive testing with the FWD (Falling Weight Deflectometer) to evaluate the pavement properties. FWD testing allowed us to perform multiple tests at the same location and was ideal for determining variability along the roadway. Many measurements were necessary because of the road’s age and inconsistent subsurface conditions.
We compared our measurements with the historical plans to design a hotmix asphalt base layer with an added geogrid to reinforce the pavement. Geogrid strengthens the pavement and slows down cracking, which can occur when streets are widened or repaired. This was needed for managing potential cracking, due to old rail lines encountered beneath the pavement surface. A hotmix asphalt base layer was selected over flexible crushed stone base to reduce dust and delay and to allow the pavements to be used immediately after paving was complete. This solution helped to keep traffic flowing and minimize disruptions to area businesses.
To ensure the team agreed with the construction of the on-going project and resolution of any issues that arose during the design-build process, HVJ collaborated with all parties involved (including the city, contractor, and designer) during weekly progress meetings. During our involvement in the entire process, HVJ was in constant communication with the design team including emergency conference calls to provide fast and efficient solutions.
The outcome was a successfully completed project with a design that allowed quick completion with limited traffic impact and long-term sustainability that employed innovation. The design enabled utility relocation, provided bicycle access, improved landscaping, new signal light structures and pavement restoration in a manner that would withstand the heavy traffic of an arterial road.
“All deliverables were submitted on time and client comments were responded to quickly. Leo was always responsive, well informed, and professional.”
Kelsey Sconiers
AECOM Project Manager