Woolpert Signs Contracts with Newport News, Richmond, Virginia

Woolpert, a national architecture, engineering and geospatial (AEG) firm, recently signed a three-year stormwater and wasterwater contract with the city of Newport News, Virginia, and a stormwater contract with the city of Richmond, Virginia.

The contract with the city of Newport News provides stormwater and wastewater engineering services. This is Woolpert’s fourth consecutive three-year, multidisciplinary, indefinite quantity, indefinite delivery (IDIQ) contract with Newport News.

RELATED: Ohio Department of Transportation Selects Woolpert for Complex Culvert Projects

“In recent years, we’ve provided sanitary, inventory/modeling and sanitary pump station services,” said Peter Fortin, Woolpert project director. “Currently, we are working with the city on stormwater and shoreline restoration tasks.”

The shoreline restoration project is along the James River and Chesapeake Bay. The restoration will employ structural and biological techniques—using marsh grass, oyster shells and stone along the shore—as opposed to the traditional bulkhead, or retaining wall, approach.

“The local university, Christopher Newport University, hosts sailing competitions and clinics,” said Travis Davis, the Woolpert engineer heading up the project’s shoreline and stormwater design and construction. “Restoring the shoreline is not only necessary to the integrity of the shoreline, but its improvement will help attract students to the sailing program.”

RELATED: Woolpert Names New President and CEO

Fortin added that the firm will use a three-member project management team for this contract. In addition to Davis’ role, John Schooler will lead the stormwater management aspect, and Mike Mull will oversee wastewater design and construction.

“We’ve found it most effective to have three dedicated project managers operating concurrently to address the needs of the city,” Fortin said.

The city of Richmond, Va., has signed Woolpert to a stormwater services contract that includes design, implementation and regulatory compliance consultation in line with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

This is the first water market contract the city of Richmond has signed with Woolpert.

Davis, a project manager in Woolpert’s Chesapeake office, said he and his team are looking forward to working with the city on this comprehensive utilities contract.

“We’ve put together a strong team of stormwater engineers and subconsultants, each of whom excel in the work required,” Davis said. “We have forged strong working relationships with city staff over the years. Good work fosters good relationships, and we’re excited to build on that history.”

Work for the first task order under this contract is currently underway.