VTCA-VDOT Consultant Forum a Success!

The theme for this year’s Engineering Consultant Forum, “Embracing Progress”, was clearly embraced by a sellout crowd of nearly 450.  The proportion of government registrants was up just slightly with a government/industry balance of 28% to 72%.  VDOT’s participation remained strong this year while other government attendees included the FHWA, the Department of Rail & Public Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA), the Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity, Chesterfield County, and the City of Lynchburg. 

Current members of VTCA’s Engineering Consultant Leadership Committee (ECLC) took the reins early and executed one flawless handoff after another to deliver a wide-ranging program.  Randy Wirt, ECLC Vice-chair, kicked things off by charging the community to “embrace progress” in ways that anticipate change while being careful not to ‘fix things that aren’t broken’. Bob Holsworth then set the political stage with our keynote speech.  The audience then received important insight from leadership with messages from Virginia’s new FHWA Division Administrator, Edward Ofori, the Executive Director of VPRA, DJ Stadtler, and VDOT’s Commissioner, Stephen Brich.   Dee Audet, Chris Swanson, and Angel Deem provided updates from Professional Service Procurement, the Environmental Division, and the Local Assistance Division, respectively.  Highlights of the morning program included the Commissioner’s introduction of the Construction Program Portfolio approach for delivering projects and some positive results from the Locality Sustained Performance Program. 

VDOT Commissioner Brich addressing the Consultant Forum attendees.

The afternoon featured several more focused discussions among expert panelists.  Erin Donovan moderated the first session on VDOT’s Turnkey Design Pilots. The panelists included Brian McPeters, Butch Heishman, and Todd Springer.  Josh Lawrence then introduced a second panel on the Construction General Permit Transition, a panel made up of Jacob Bauckman and Alex Foraste from VDOT L&D. Brennan Collier closed the first afternoon session with presentation of this year’s Transportation Engineering Awards. 

Following an extended networking break, the last session of the day provided an opportunity for VDOT to highlight major regional programs.  Dave Covington, Director I-81 Program Delivery, briefly reviewed progress on the 65 ongoing capital projects along the I-81 corridor, as well as several upcoming opportunities for engineering and construction. Chris Hall, District Engineer from Hampton Roads, provided an overview of transportation investments totaling approximately $7.3B in his district.  His update on the HRBT Expansion project included mention of the assortment of supporting trestles, conventional bridges, and general roadway projects.  Michelle Shropshire, NOVA Megaprojects Director, discussed the Northern Virginia Express Lanes Network, as well as the Norris Bridge Replacement and Exit 126 Area Projects in the Fredericksburg District.  Chris Collins moderated a short question and answer session with Dave, Chris, and Michelle about projects in all three regions. The day ended with a final networking reception from 4:30 until 6.