Environmental permitting is a critical component of infrastructure projects, yet it’s often perceived as a rigid process that dictates timelines rather than adapting to them. In reality, a flexible approach to permitting — adaptive permitting strategies — allows projects to remain on schedule, respond to evolving site conditions and achieve better environmental outcomes. This is especially critical for alternative delivery projects that demand more than a compliance-driven mindset. Success depends on flexibility, early engagement and real-time problem-solving to navigate permitting challenges and keep construction moving. By integrating adaptive permitting strategies into design-build projects, teams can transform potential roadblocks into opportunities for more efficient and sustainable project execution.

Traditional permitting assumes a linear path where approvals are secured before construction begins, and progress follows a predictable sequence. However, large-scale infrastructure projects rarely unfold that way. Adaptive permitting embraces a dynamic approach, allowing teams to phase work strategically, adjust approvals as needed and modify permits without compromising compliance or delaying construction.

Even with careful planning, unexpected conditions, site constraints and shifting stakeholder priorities can disrupt the most carefully structured schedules.

US 101 Jefferson/Clallam Fish Passage – Managing an Unexpected Redesign

The US 101 Jefferson/Clallam – Remove Fish Barrier Project in Washington State demonstrates how adaptive permitting can keep infrastructure projects on track. The project replaced culverts that restricted salmon migration and required close coordination with state agencies, Tribal representatives and construction teams to balance environmental protection with project feasibility.

During permitting, a geotechnical review revealed that the planned culvert replacement at Unnamed Tributary #2 (UNT2) was not structurally viable, requiring a complete redesign. The proposed alternative — a bridge instead of an arch culvert — introduced additional permitting requirements and threatened to significantly push the construction schedule back.

Rather than allowing this challenge to derail the timeline, the Atlas team applied an adaptive permitting strategy to keep the project moving. Permit approvals for an alternate site were fast-tracked, allowing work to proceed while the redesign of UNT2 was underway. A phased permitting approach ensured that critical construction activities proceeded without waiting for all modifications to be finalized. Ongoing coordination with WSDOT and regulatory agencies minimized delays in processing revised permits and preserved the project schedule.

Strategies for Successful Adaptive Permitting

Effective adaptive permitting requires proactive planning, strong collaboration and the ability to pivot when challenges arise. Successful strategies include:

• Phased Approvals: Breaking the permitting process into manageable phases allows work to begin on critical components as final details are completed.
• Early and Continuous Engagement: Regular coordination with regulatory agencies, Tribes and environmental stakeholders helps surface challenges before they become obstacles.
• Contingency Planning: Incorporating alternative permitting pathways and pre-approved adjustments into the project planning process helps teams react quickly without losing momentum.
• Integrated Environmental Compliance Teams: Embedding compliance experts within project teams supports real-time decision-making and alignment with evolving site conditions.
• Leveraging Technology for Permit Tracking: Digital tools that provide real-time updates on permitting progress help project teams stay ahead of potential delays.

Changing the Perspective: Permitting as a Strategic Asset

Permitting should be viewed as a strategic asset rather than an administrative hurdle. An agile approach allows project teams to align approvals with real-world construction schedules, reducing delays and improving efficiency. Identifying challenges early and implementing mitigation strategies strengthens risk management, preventing costly redesigns. Open communication with regulatory agencies and stakeholders builds trust, streamlines approvals, and creates a more collaborative project environment.

In today’s evolving infrastructure landscape, the ability to adapt is just as critical as the ability to comply.

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 26, 2024 — Atlas Technical Consultants Inc., a leading provider of infrastructure and environmental solutions, today announced that the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Southern Idaho Section has awarded the Whistle Pig Tank development the 2023 Project of the Year in the less than $10 million category.

“This recognition is a testament to the exceptional geotechnical capabilities of our Boise team,” says Atlas CEO Jacque Hinman. “We’re proud of their hard work and look forward to their continued innovation and success.”

Addressing the critical issue of sufficient water supply, the project provides essential water storage and system resiliency for South Ada County residents and businesses.

Developed in collaboration with engineering firm Keller Associates for water utility company Veolia, the Whistle Pig Tank project faced unique design challenges. Veolia enlisted Keller to design a distinctive 2.65-million-gallon concrete tank, fully buried to harmonize with its surroundings.

Named after the groundhogs and ground squirrels native to the area, the Whistle Pig Tank was constructed within a steep hillside to minimize visibility and impact on the existing Birds of Prey site.

The tank incorporates several innovative elements: It’s filled using a series of pressure-reducing valves, and complex valving and controls manage bypass provisions. The tank’s mixing system leverages high-pressure water for mechanical mixing without the need for a pump. A small control structure on top of the tank includes provisions for future re-chlorination. Additionally, site enhancements involved challenging pipeline installations, an overflow pond, and creative grading and access improvements.

The Atlas team successfully guided the tank’s construction into the hillside, performing specialized geotechnical investigations, calculating lateral earth pressures, designing foundations and pavements, and offering comprehensive construction recommendations.

Beyond engineering and design, Atlas provided expertise in cost-effective construction solutions. The achievement builds on a decade-long partnership between Atlas and Keller Associates, with mutual trust and proven success from previous collaborations playing a significant role in securing the work.

About Atlas Technical Consultants:

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Atlas is a leading provider of Infrastructure and Environmental Solutions. We partner with our clients to improve performance and extend the lifecycle of built and natural infrastructure assets stressed by climate, health, and economic impacts. With 3,500+ employees nationwide, Atlas brings deep technical expertise to public- and private-sector clients, integrating services across four primary disciplines: Environmental (ENV); Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC); Engineering & Design (E&D); and Program Management/Construction Management, and Quality Management (PCQM). To learn more about Atlas innovations for transportation, commercial, water, government, education, and industrial markets, visit��.

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Media Contact:

Carolyn King
303-248-8882
Carolyn.King@oneatlas.com

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As more EV charging stations emerge across the country, some first-time buyers are inadvertently overlooking the importance of verifying what utilities lie below project sites. Enter subsurface utility engineering (SUE) professionals: the unsung heroes of the EV transition.

After accidentally nicking an underground power line, one school district was forced to halt construction on an electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure project.

The school was in the process of connecting an EV charging station to a cluster of ground-mounted solar panels located across campus, an investment that would and accommodate its growing number of EV drivers.

With the start of school just weeks away, Civil Engineer and Geophysicist Iko Syahrial was called to locate and map the underground utilities inside an 80-foot radius (about one tennis court’s length in every direction) for a safer path forward.

“The severed utility line was the only obstruction beneath the designated project area,” Iko said. “We also located multiple abandoned conduits that posed no risk to further construction activities.”

The process involved the use of five, non-destructive geophysical instruments, a standard operating procedure for subsurface utility engineering (SUE) evaluations that renders near-perfect depictions of underground utility networks.

“There’s no silver-bullet solution that can ‘see and detect’ everything,” Iko said. “But through the strategic integration of multiple, specialized tools — each designed to address specific aspects of subsurface analysis — we enhance our ability to unveil a comprehensive and accurate depiction of the hidden complexities below the surface.”

It’s the orchestrated collaboration of technology, Iko said, that brings clarity to the intricate subsurface landscape.

In other words, each instrument covers the other’s blind spot, piecing together an accurate picture and understanding of the subsurface conditions in question. They include:

• Line Tracer:
  • Passive mode identifies natural frequencies emitted by utility lines, such as the 60 Hz signal from electric power lines or radio frequencies from communication lines.
  • Active mode actively induces a signal onto the utility line using a transmitter and receiver, enabling tracing of the line’s path, even if it doesn’t emit a natural frequency (what Iko used to trace the rest of the nicked line).
• Ground-Penetrating Radar: uses radar pulses to image the subsurface. Helpful in locating buried conduits made of both metallic and non-metallic materials such as PVC or HDPE (think water pipes).
• EM-61 (electromagnetic devices): a powerful metal detector that detects the presence of metallic objects by generating an electromagnetic field and sensing the responses caused by metal conductors.
• M-Scope (conductivity meter): senses the conductivity of the materials (including soil). By detecting breaks in the homogeneity of the materials (discontinuity), it can be assumed that there is a possible underground line/object (think backfill).
• Gradiometer: measures variations in the Earth’s magnetic field, which can help identify subsurface anomalies or buried metallic objects.

Multi-method geophysical evaluations open projects to a wealth of insights that help inform safer construction activities.

The proactive involvement of SUE via geophysical methods in EV charging station projects is essential for the safe and efficient expansion of charging infrastructure, particularly for schools and institutions seeking to promote sustainability on their campuses.

By identifying and mapping underground utilities, these professionals mitigate risks, reduce construction costs, and support the growth of electric mobility, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future.

The process took Iko approx. four hours and cost a fraction of what the school will end up paying in change orders.

“These types of accidents can almost always be avoided,” Iko said. “If you’re thinking about adopting EV charging infrastructure, determine the location of all underground utilities before you dig. It’s a budget-friendly way to save time — and lives.”

The No. 1 AEC industry news source, the Engineering News-Record, hand-selected Elizabeth Brown and Maria Kurniati to its annual list of standouts under 40. Join us in honoring and getting to know our ENR representatives.

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Q&A: Atlas’ National Practice Director of Geotech Richard Barrows shares insights into his career and passion for geotechnical engineering.��

In the 1980s, after years of working on motorcycles in his parents’ garage, Rich Barrows developed a talent for building dirt bikes.

He would haul his creations to the nearest motocross tracks and ride for hours, testing the suspension against the terrain and noting mechanical weaknesses to work on later.

Rich could picture himself competing in professional races but also didn’t want to squander his college education. So, he combed a catalog of degree programs to replace his passion for assembling motorbikes and off-roading — and loaded his schedule with the next best thing.

“Motocross was a great hobby, but the idea of living off sponsorship dollars didn’t sit well with me,” Rich said. “I was really interested in earth materials and that led me to selecting a course called Soil Mechanics. It was more of an upper-level course. I had to knock on some doors to enroll. But once I got approved, I never looked back.”

Rich Barrows, right, standing next to 80s motocross legend Roger Decoster, a five-time 500cc
Motocross World Champion and four-time US AMA Championship winner whom Rich met in early August.

Since then, Rich has built a 37-year career in civil engineering and geotechnics. We sat down with the former Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Geotechnical Engineer and Construction Chief to learn why he returned to the workforce after a brief hiatus.

What does the bulk of your work look like?

I oversee two divisions, the geotechnical engineering side with over 100 people and the geophysics side with about 22. I analyze where our gaps are, where we want to develop further, and what work areas we want to pursue. I also coordinate with business development on where we want to take the team and where we can grow.

How long have you been in Geotech?

What kind of problems are we helping our clients solve?

Tell us about why you came to Atlas.

What’s the most challenging project you’ve undertaken?

Two come to mind.

The reconstruction of Going-to-the-Sun Road at Glacier National Park involved restoring a 50-mile-long corridor that crosses through the park.

It’s a narrow road lined with 130 retaining walls, most of which were built around 1927, so it was in pretty bad shape. That scope involved evaluating the walls and coming up with repair and rehab schemes. My field teams had to balance environmental restrictions and historic preservation needs without interfering with traffic flow.

We started that in 2003 and completed the reconstruction in 2019.

The other project was Salmon River Road in Idaho, a complete reconstruction of a narrow gravel road, road on very, very steep terrain.

It sits between steep canyon walls and the Salmon River. A lot of retaining walls, ground anchors, and other slope stabilization measures were required. It was just one of the toughest geographic areas I’ve ever worked in.

As a Washington local, what regional and environmental impacts do you consider while working on community projects?

Just about wherever we’re working, even if it’s in a more arid environment, I’m always considering erosion control and how our designs or our recommendations impact that.

The culverts on a lot of roads in the Pacific Northwest were designed or sized to carry storm water. They did that adequately for some time, but the designs really didn’t consider fish passage needs. Replacing culverts with more fish friendly designs is part of a big program in the Pacific Northwest.

How do you define Geotechnical Excellence?

You’re not going to know everything that you’d like to know about the ground. Excellence comes from utilizing knowledge and experience to come up with designs or recommendations that are based on what you know and is best suited for the ground.