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Young engineers within APWA-MN are playing a role in delivering large infrastructure projects that are helping shape communities. From coordinating construction activities and managing communication to contributing to design and long-term planning, these young professionals are engaged with meaningful responsibilities early in their careers. Learn more about the young engineers supporting the Woodbury Water Treatment Plant below!

 

At the Woodbury Water Treatment Plant, my primary role involved on-site inspection of site piping installation. Occasionally, I helped out with concrete pours. I also was an inspector on one of the watermain pipeline projects in Woodbury that will eventually convey water to the treatment plant.

 

A specific challenge I helped with was cold weather concrete. Checking concrete temperatures and making sure the contractor provided proper cold weather protections during the winter was crucial.

 

The skill I've learned most on this project is communication; for a project to be successful, all parties need to be aligned and informed. This can be very challenging at times, but is necessary, especially for a project of this size.

 

My advice for someone taking on a role in a big project is to be diligent about documentation during day-to-day construction activities. It may feel tedious in the moment, but if/when a question comes up down the road, your notes will be invaluable. I would also advise to manage stress as best you can. It is important to lean on your mentors and teammates during times of stress.

 

Since I started with AE2S 3 years ago, I have been involved in this project in a few different roles.

I worked with our great communications teams to take traffic control plans from each pipeline project planned for 2025-2026 to place the impacts on one map. This assisted in identifying conflicts in working to create a plan that worked best for the City of Woodbury. 

 

This is always the obvious lesson learned, but communication is key. When working with 4 other design firms, multiple contractors, and different internal/external teams, there can never be enough communication. 

 

The relationships you build matter each day. I've built many relationships throughout my time spent working on various portions of WTP-related projects that have really made the difference in my day-to-day communications. I've enjoyed working with so many people and this has helped build confidence in what I do. 

 

There is never a role too small. No matter how small your role feels in comparison to the project, it can never be too small. All the details matter and the work everyone does impacts the project in some way, shape or form. Take pride in what may seem like small details you add to not only large projects but any project. 

 

My role in the Woodbury Water Treatment Plant Pipeline projects were two parts. Initially, I was the lead designer for approximately 5 miles of new raw water and distribution pipelines on the south side of the City, consisting of three separate projects.  Once projects were bid and construction began, I assisted with overseeing the construction administration of these projects, which included oversight of inspection staff, running weekly meetings, processing pay vouchers, coordination with project stakeholders, and ensuring the project was built according to the plans and specifications.

 

Like any project, there were challenges during both design and construction. The best way to attack these challenges is to address the challenges as soon as possible with effective communication and coordination. Bringing the client solutions and recommendations was very helpful in addressing issues encountered.

 

Early on in these projects, it became apparent that communication and coordination would be important. The projects were being done concurrently, with similar projects being led by 3 other consulting firms, as part of one large City-wide improvement project. Coordination was required to ensure projects tied in together correctly, road closures and detours did not conflict, and project specifications were consistent. These projects heavily impacted the residents within the City and strong communication was required, not only with the residents, but with schools, public safety, postal service, Washington County, and local businesses. Additionally, during both the design and construction phases of the projects, documentation of any modifications or deviations was critical to ensure that record plans could be updated accordingly.   

 

My advice to anyone taking on a role in a large-scale project would be to ask questions if you do not know the answer. Additionally, I would say that even if the project is complex and large scale, jump in headfirst and own the role, even if you are uncomfortable. Working on these projects has been a tremendous way for me to learn a lot, grow as an engineer, and meet others in the industry who I may not have known otherwise.

 

I am the project manager for the construction of approximately 7 miles of dual 36-inch raw water pipeline needed for the city’s new Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and Pipelines Project. My role is to represent the city and to ensure that our project is successful. Some of my responsibilities include managing the project schedule, coordinating and attending meetings with project partners, managing inspectors, addressing field changes, approving payment applications, and tracking all documentation.

 

We experience different levels of challenges during most projects. One challenge the project team discovered was related to the pipe-laying sequence for a 30- and 42-inch watermain line. The sequence was inadvertently reversed and this created a situation where the blowoff valve systems pointed in the opposite direction, running into the adjacent pipe. I coordinated with the consultants of both construction teams to find a solution that would rotate the blowoffs back to its original design. We found a solution that both consultants, contractors and city staff were comfortable with and didn’t create additional challenges in the system. We managed to resolve this issue within 48 hours of it being identified.

 

Clear and effective communication is key for a project of this scale. You are working with numerous partners from consultants, contractors, internal city divisions, watershed districts, commercial businesses, school districts, HOA representatives, and individual residents who need to be directed, informed, consulted, and heard for a project to be successful. I’ve learned how sharing accurate and complete information proactively with partners and the public can improve how the public responds to the inconveniences of construction. It also helps reduce the number of phone calls and emails that need responses later.

 

You will not know every answer right away, and that’s alright. You are working as a team to deliver a complex, critical project. Relying on each other to find the solutions to challenges will ensure a successful project, while improving your own success and the success of others.