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 →
Pavement Management Analysis for 10-Year Budget and Maintenance Planning
A Land Port of Entry (LPOE), more commonly known as a border crossing station, controls entry into or departure from the United States. The General Services Administration (GSA) operates more than half of these Land Ports of Entry.
HVJ’s expertise was needed when the GSA recognized that LPOEs in the Southwest Region had pavement in critical need of repair and maintenance. HVJ’s job was to inventory, inspect and score 2.6 million square feet of pavement at these border crossing stations as part of the GSA’s large-scale rehabilitation plan. HVJ assigned ratings to all the pavement to provide the GSA with objective and crucial information to make decisions for a 10-year pavement and budget plan.
Our client, Cushing Terrell provided vital communication and input on the project based on their experience with similar types of asset management projects and engineering services. The vision brought by our client was critical in keeping the focus on developing the right solution for the project.
Land Ports of Entry have thousands of crossings each day, with lots of trucks. This heavy use results in pavement distress and deterioration. The GSA needed a systematic and objective analysis of the pavement at multiple ports. This analysis was necessary for them to make decisions about rehabilitation priorities and to plan their future budgets.
Our objective was to provide a reliable, timely and thorough assessment of the condition of the 2.6 million square feet of pavement at nine LPOE’s in Texas, and then combine results from all sites to recommend a comprehensive solution.
We scored the pavement on multiple categories, then used the scores to provide recommendations and various “what if” scenarios for rehabilitation options, budget estimates, and future condition predictions for a 10-year timeframe. This provided GSA with the overall funding needs and prioritization options to maintain and improve the pavement condition.
The process had to be completed safely, quickly, and without disrupting busy border crossing operations. With thousands of crossing per day, an accident can back up and delay commercial and private users for hours. This is very costly and safety working in these areas must be carefully planned.
The first step was an inventory at all nine ports to determine the amount and type of pavement. Using aerial photography, processed using GIS software, we recorded and documented the pavement in its current state. We referenced original blueprints which outlined the pavement plans and verified the pavement thickness, materials, and structures. This initial inventory provided a clear understanding of which pavement the GSA owned and was responsible for maintaining.
The next step was to assess the condition of the pavement. There are multiple categories that we use to evaluate performance and determine repair needs, including:
During the assessment, we subdivided each paved area and assigned a score to each of these categories individually. The nationally recognized PAVERTM7 software based on the condition survey methods in ASTM D6433 – 11 had been selected by the GSA for this project. A starting score of 100 represents the pavement condition index (PCI) pavement which is brand new and in perfect condition. Points are deducted points for each defect, which provides an objective comparison of pavement quality across all nine ports.
We input this scoring data into a the PAVERTM7 software program that calculates “what if” scenarios for cost, repair options, and projected needs over ten years. We recommended a variety of rehabilitation options based on cost-effectiveness, specific problems identified and prevention of future problems.
Through this process, we provided the GSA with the information they needed to make both short and long-term decisions about the pavement at these nine ports. We presented a large amount of data in a manner that made it easy for decision-makers to understand the information, obtain buy-in, and make decisions about the repair plan and budget recommendations. Our final presentation was very well-received by the client and the project was executed efficiently, safely, and did not disrupt traffic flow or port operations.
“HVJ proved their expertise in providing pavement assessments for this project as well as providing excellent recommendations and consulting.”
Zach Graham
Cushing Terrell