Since 1982, our careful attention to detail and defined processes have helped ensure that projects are delivered successfully, meeting the highest standard of care while on schedule and on budget. Whether in the beginning stages of the project, currently working through the design, or in the construction phase, experience and insight help our projects succeed every step of the way.
While every civil engineering design is unique, our teams have developed steps around several key milestones that can help save time, money and potential rework for our clients. Success looks different for every project, which is why our team’s first priority is to listen. How does the client define success? Whether it’s cost, schedule, quality or community impact, we develop succinct criteria standards to review during and after the project lifecycle, so the focus never deviates from how to make our clients and their projects successful.
By looking at the design process from the client’s perspective, our civil engineers are able to see a holistic view of the project and apply their success criteria for unique solutions. Our team maintains constant communication, both internally across disciplines and externally with project stakeholders, so all parties are aware of the progress on deliverables, design and other aspects. This collaborative, responsive relationship with all parties, from initial kick-off meetings to final punch walks with the contractor and client, helps ensure an accurate and timely final product.
In addition to the partnership approach we take with our clients, we also maintain a comprehensive and current knowledge of local, state and federal regulations, and develop sustainable solutions in consideration of the client and community.
It’s these Galloway practices that make it possible to facilitate efficient and timely processes associated with the planning, design, approval, permitting and construction of your project.
A Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) is FEMA’s comment on a proposed project that, upon construction, would affect the hydrologic and/or hydraulic characteristics of a flooding source and thus result in the modification of the existing regulatory floodway, the effective base flood elevations (BFEs), and/or the special flood hazard area (SFHA). A CLOMR does not revise an effective NFIP map, but rather it indicates whether the project, if built as proposed, would or would not be removed from the SFHA by FEMA if later submitted as a request for a LOMR.
A Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) is FEMA’s modification to an effective flood insurance rate map (FIRM). LOMRs are typically based on the implementation of physical measures that affect the hydrologic or hydraulic characteristics of a flooding source and thus result in the modification of the existing regulatory floodway, the effective base flood elevations (BFEs), or the special flood hazard area (SFHA). The letter becomes effective after a 90-day appeal period in addition to the time required to advertise the appeal.
Drainage reports commonly document the effects of a proposed or modified land use on local and regional drainage patterns and infrastructure in civil engineering projects. Often, they include a detailed discussion and design for mitigating post-construction project-specific water quality impacts. The reports include a narrative, exhibits and detailed supporting calculations.
Dry utility designs are a key component of civil engineering projects. Dry utility design includes the design, feasibility, and coordination with each applicable utility provider of cable, electric, telephone, natural gas and fiber optic services required for a project.
Mass grading and general soil disturbance can be detrimental to the natural soil profile of developments, which can cause loss of topsoil and erosion. Erosion control practices work to prevent soil detachment and transportation. Sediment control plans are implemented to control sediment movement within a site and also from leaving a project site. Plans and studies work to document these practices and provide instruction to developers and contractors for installation, maintenance and reporting.
FEMA coordination may be required when working in a federally designated floodplain. It entails an investigation of the impact of flood events on the land and the determination of whether development activities located in the floodplain meet the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program. The NFIP is primarily focused on the reducing damages to insurable structures located in the floodplain.
Civil engineers can create and utilize hydraulic models to simulate the movement of water across a terrain. The hydraulic models can assess the impacts of changing the terrain on flow velocities and depths. These evaluations can help protect people and property if flooding occurs.
Grading and earthwork are necessary to adequately prepare the ground for a proposed project/development. Grading includes modifying the contours and slopes of the existing land to establish necessary elevations and to make it compatible for its intended use. An earthwork analysis is an essential part of this process, which analyzes the volume of dirt being moved around (Cut/Fill) and whether material will need to be imported or exported.
The building of typically computer models that can demonstrate hydrologic (rainfall and water runoff from the land) and hydraulic (water moving in channels and streams) processes and events. These models allow for detailed simulations of how these processes affect the surrounding environments, existing water systems, and proposed designs. This can lead to an advanced understanding of surface water flows, groundwater movement, flow measurements/analyses, flow augmentation, scour analyses, floodplain analyses, aquifer recharge assessments, and comprehensive watershed management planning and thus better designs.
A well-designed master plan outlines the feasibility and overall concepts for delivering the necessary roadways, access, drainage, and utilities for a proposed project/development.
Every project has its own unique demands for parking, given the site constraints and estimated usage capacity. Parking demand studies can help analyze and design parking facilities to create an enhanced user experience while maximizing site efficiency.
Parking lots are a necessary part of land development. With a proper design, parking facilities can enhance safety for both drivers and pedestrians. Design considerations include local regulations and zoning, project use and location, access points, traffic patterns, volume and the goals of the client.
Both the aging of pavement and the exponential use of vehicular transportation/loading will ultimately contribute to a need for paving rehabilitation. Paving analyses are visual assessments and measurements that evaluate existing pavement structures to provide owners with estimated maintained procedures to help extend the life of the pavement.
Developing an estimated project construction cost based on historical and current costs of similar projects, experience, and communications with contractors is an essential part of every project. Accurate cost estimates assist owners in their final objectives and keep every project on-budget.
From private access roads to highways, improving safety, easing congestion, and providing new and improved access are the main goals in roadway design. This can include the design and implementation of new collector roads, arterial streets and highways, or roadway widening and improvement projects in both urban and rural environments.
The demolition plan delineates the extent and type of demolition for both site and building related features.
A land development project begins with site design. A well-thought out site design will set projects up for success, and encompasses items such as a predevelopment site investigation, a feasibility evaluation, site planning, and initial engineering.
Site structural design can encompass many items, including retaining walls, foundations, stairs/ramps, drainage/utility structures and pedestrian features.
Using technological innovations to form the site framework influences project design and helps to return a positive return on client or owner investment.
A civil engineering storm water management system can consist of pipes, manholes, inlets, ditches, detention/retention facilities, and other drainage structures that will manage storm water runoff, conveyance, and collection.
A sustainable site design opportunity analysis reviews options to reduce negative impacts on the environment, including water conservation, using site maintenance best practices, and optimizing for renewable energy consumption.
Stormwater management plan (SWMP) reporting includes data that demonstrates how projects conform to design standards to reduce pollutants from entering storm water sewer systems. It also includes routine and special inspection and observations reports as well as necessary recommendations or modifications.
A storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) outlines how a construction project will reduce stormwater pollution. An SWPPP audit reviews an existing plan for inefficiencies and recommends improvements for water pollution prevention.
Utility access is a key part of any development, with the ability to impact the functionality, schedule, cost and construction of the project. Analysis of the existing utility availability and capacities along with proposed utility demands, play a key role in determining what type of utilities may be required, whether they are public or private utilities. An accurate analysis, combined with the clients program and any jurisdiction requirements, helps the design of an adequate and efficient utility infrastructure system for civil engineering projects.
Vehicular circulation analyses help to ensure cars, trucks and commercial vehicles have sufficient space for their individual turning movements within a roadway network or project site layout, as well as ingressing and egressing the civil engineering project site.
PE, CPESC, CRX, CRRP, LEED AP
Principal in Charge
Director of Land Development
