Whether it's for one infrastructure project or many, SEH planners and engineers take a full-service approach, first by determining needs, then prioritizing and seeking out necessary funding, while at the same time coordinating for quick completion. And, in this case quick completion meant less than 90 days!

SEH took this full-service approach while working with the City of Fort Morgan, Colo. — a community of approximately 12,000 — to overhaul one of the oldest sections of their downtown.

Partnering with the City Council and Management team on this $3.2 million project, SEH made major infrastructure improvements to a more than two-block area, improving the overall attractiveness and increasing safety for those working and visiting downtown. The entire project was fast tracked to minimize disruptions.

"As a result of the efforts of SEH...the project was completed ahead of schedule (88 days). Most importantly, the entire community agrees that the project far exceeds our expectations."
— Pat Merrill, City Manager, City of Fort Morgan, Colo. 

Taking on an Infrastructure Project?

Take a walk through Fort Morgan to view project highlights.

• Engaged elected officials.
• Actively involved businesses — careful phasing provided alternative access for businesses, allowing them to remain open during construction.
• Conducted extensive public outreach to gain informed consent and minimize project delays and rework.
• Assisted in obtaining 50 percent matching grant for engineering and design.
• Recycled majority of demolished sidewalk/roadway/concrete.
• Used recycled asphalt base course from City storage yard to pave new roadways. Used permeable pavers in parking spaces to reduce heat island effect and provide stormwater quality — it looks good too!
• Installed 111 historic plaques to showcase historic pride.
• Installed new traffic signals and designated pedestrian walkways to improve pedestrian and vehicle safety.
• Replaced 2,000 feet of undersized and dated water mains, 4,000 feet of larger storm drains, and added an irrigation system. These features solved a frequent flooding problem — a detriment to attracting economic development opportunities.
• Repaired uneven and broken sidewalks—raised the sidewalk to allow for new underground utilities, used combination of decorative pavers and concrete to create a more inviting downtown.
• Incorporated decorative energy efficient lighting to conserve energy and add historic appeal.
• Pre-qualified contractors so that construction began immediately upon design approval, allowing project to be complete in 88 days!

Congratulations

Project of the Year Winner: the City of Fort Morgan
The Downtown Infrastructure Improvement Project won two awards from the American Public Works Association (APWA) Colorado Chapter. The City won the annual APWA award for engineering/construction management in a small community. As an added surprise and honor, the APWA also presented the City with the Project of the Year Award.

APWA Colorado Project of the Year Winner: the City of Fort Morgan

FM Downtown wins top state award – Fort Morgan Times article