Smith Seckman Reid - Transforming Tennessee’s Infrastructure: State Route 14 Bridge Replacement Project

Archive for the ‘Engineering’ Category

Transforming Tennessee’s Infrastructure: State Route 14 Bridge Replacement Project

January 9th, 2025

The Transportation Modernization Act is a groundbreaking 10-year plan administered by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). With an additional $3.3 billion allocated on top of the annual budget, this initiative aims to expedite crucial transportation projects across the state. Each region will receive approximately $750 million, ensuring equitable distribution of resources. One of the standout projects […]

Wrapping Up 2024

January 6th, 2025

The second half of 2024 was a bustling time for our civil, transportation, and structural teams. Between career fairs and conference attendees, our colleagues were out and about. Here’s a quick recap!   Career Fairs Workforce development continues to be a challenge for our industry; we have a people challenge, not projects. How are we […]

Corrosion Prevention

January 6th, 2025

Did you know that it is estimated that direct costs from corrosion total near $276 billion annually, based on a study from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Corrosions affects us all, whether it is corrosion of everyday items like our vehicles, outdoor appliances to water storage tanks and other water/wastewater infrastructure. Furthermore, direct costs […]

Metro Water Adds Two Equalization (EQ) Basins

January 6th, 2025

What is an EQ Basin?  An Equalization (EQ) Basin is a crucial component in managing sanitary sewer overflows. During heavy rainfall, aging sewers can become overwhelmed with water infiltration, leading to potential overflows. These overflows can occur at designated locations or through unsecured manhole covers. EQ basins are large tanks or other elements designed to […]

M&T Bank Stadium: Enhancing the Gameday Experience

September 16th, 2024

M&T Bank Stadium will unveil a series of exciting upgrades aimed at enhancing the fan experience across all levels of seating this season. The focus has been on improving everything from general admission to premium seating for Baltimore Ravens fans, ensuring that every patron enjoys top-notch amenities and comfort.    The premium seats offered this […]

Vanderbilt Stadium North End Zone Opens

September 16th, 2024

Construction concluded on the north end zone project at FirstBank Stadium, home to the Vanderbilt University football program, before the 2024 football season began. The new end zone features premium hospitality areas, a videoboard to enhance game day experience, premium seating and loge boxes for games, a visiting team locker room, and concourse expansion connecting […]

Town of Arlington Bridge Replacement and Repairs

August 26th, 2024

The Town of Arlington, Tennessee, has embarked on a significant infrastructure project to replace and repair bridges over a branch of Hall Creek and Hall Creek itself. This project aims to enhance traffic flow, accommodate future development, and ensure the longevity of the bridges.   SSR has been working with the Town for many years […]

Loading the Bases for WPC ‘24

August 21st, 2024

This year’s Kentucky Tennessee Water Professionals Conference (KY/TN WPC) will take place September 8-11 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky. SSR is thrilled to see many of our clients, friends, and industry partners at this event.     Hosted by the Clean Water Professionals of Kentucky & Tennessee (CWP-KT) and the Kentucky/Tennessee Section […]

Round Two of AWIA Deadlines and Updates to Consider

August 21st, 2024

In October of 2018, America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) was signed into law.  The AWIA specified that water utilities submit Risk and Resilience Assessments (RRAs) and Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) in the years 2020 through 2021, based on the size of population served.   The next round of deadlines for updated RRAs and ERPs are […]

SSR Building Enclosure is an Accredited Field Testing Agency

August 5th, 2024

Did you know SSR Building Enclosure is an accredited Field Testing Agency, verified through the Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA)? This prestigious accreditation is a testament to our commitment to excellence and our dedication to providing top-tier services to our clients.    What is the Field Test Agency (FTA) Accreditation Program?  The FTA Accreditation […]

The Future of Sports and Entertainment Venues: Smart Stadiums

June 17th, 2024

The convergence of technology and sports has given rise to a new class of venues: smart stadiums. These digitally-enhanced and connected spaces are designed to revolutionize the fan experience, enhance safety, and optimize operational efficiency.     Ultimate Fan Experiences Smart stadiums prioritize fan engagement by providing personalized and memorable experiences:  Space Utilization: Fans are […]

SSR Now Offers Planning Services

April 29th, 2024

Transportation Planning  Transportation planning plays a fundamental role in shaping a state, region, or community’s vision for its future. The overall goal is to devise a plan which incorporates safety, efficient energy use, reduced pollution, and considers alternative modes of transport that will enhance efficiency. These plans can incorporate streetscapes, traffic calming measures, new road […]

Working Past Ribbon Cutting: Bowling Green Water Treatment Plant

April 29th, 2024

In October of 2023, Bowling Green (KY) Municipal Utilities (BGMU) hosted community members, city leaders, and industry partners as they celebrated the ribbon cutting to mark the completion of a 15MGD expansion to their water treatment plant. This was the culmination of a decade of work for SSR’s Civil/Water team who served as the Engineer of Record […]

A Day in the Life of a CEI Technician

April 29th, 2024

Ever wondered what a construction engineering & inspection (CEI) technician does each day? One of our communications colleagues recently interviewed Patrick (Pat) Young, a CEI technician who has been with SSR for five years, to find out. Read along as he’s asked about his contributions to the project, what a typical day entails, and how […]

Micropiles in Action!

January 29th, 2024

SSR’s structural team previously published a blog post on  micropiles, where we explained what a micropile is, when they are ideal to use, and the benefits of a micropile foundation. This post will review recent, real-world applications of micropiles.  An existing client in Kentucky wanted to add a pedestrian bridge connecting two existing buildings that […]

A Day in the Life of a Resident Project Representative

January 29th, 2024

Ever wondered what a resident project representative (RPR) does each day? One of our communications colleagues recently interviewed Jared Secondine, a RPR assigned to the North Clarksville Water Treatment Plant (NCWTP) project, to find out. Read along as he’s asked about his contributions to the project, what a typical day entails, and how he’s bringing […]

Our Hometown Stadium

January 22nd, 2024

SSR is thrilled to officially announce our role as the MEP/FP and Sustainability Design Engineer / Engineer of Record on the new Tennessee Titans stadium, still called Nissan Stadium, in downtown Nashville. The $2.1 billion enclosed stadium and support structures will sit on land already owned by Metro Nashville situated on the east side of […]

Choctaw Casino

January 22nd, 2024

Work is ending on two projects at the Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant, OK. In 2020, SSR was engaged to provide mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology services on an interior refresh project for a guest tower and the build-out of a new food hall.    Grand Tower Patient Refresh  The 330-room Grand Tower was […]

Helping Arenas Navigate the NHL Greener Rinks Initiative

January 22nd, 2024

The NHL’s Greener Rinks Initiative has a mission to track and improve the environmental impact on the greater hockey community. The initiative is looking at several ways to improve hockey’s environmental footprint through technological innovations and new operations practices. As an engineering design firm with three decades of ice floor design experience, our team of […]

The SSR Way – Our Approach to a Successful Partnership and Project Execution

January 22nd, 2024

SSR established ourselves as a leader in the sports and entertainment market with engineering design work on projects for the Nashville Predators, Houston Rockets, and Orlando Magic. Year after year, we’ve continued to reinforce our reputation for engineering excellence and evolve our approach to serving our clients’ needs with new technologies and design processes.  From […]

Super Bowl Preparations at Allegiant Stadium

January 17th, 2024

At SSR we pride ourselves on being a trusted advisor for all our projects, and that partnership extends to all phases of a building and is not exclusive to design and construction. We truly believe in providing an exceptional client experience, and know that just because a project has opened, does not mean that our […]

Fitwel for Higher Education 

November 8th, 2023

Fitwel is a healthy building certification system aimed at creating facilities that improve the health and well-being of occupants. We have previously explored the benefits of certification and provided a high-level overview of the certification process. This blog post is going to explore the value of certification for buildings located in a campus setting, specifically […]

Arc Flash 101

October 26th, 2023

Working on a hot electrical panel, or one that still has power, is a serious situation and can be extremely dangerous. There are precautions to take that limit the frequency of working on hot equipment, but sometimes it is unavoidable. The purpose of this blog post is to provide basic education about what an arc […]

Becoming a Trusted Advisor

October 26th, 2023

Over the past 18 months, SSR has engaged in a unique partnership with a large public utility providing water and wastewater services in Middle Tennessee. Since the retirement of their longstanding GIS (Geographic Information System – a spatial system that creates, manages, analyzes, visualizes, and maps all types of data) manager, SSR colleague Bryan Neely […]

Project Spotlight: Broadway Bridge Replacement

October 26th, 2023

SSR recently wrapped up a CEI (Construction Engineering and Inspection) project for a replacement bridge in downtown Nashville, TN. The Broadway Bridge replacement project (also referred to as State Route 1 (US 70) Broadway Viaduct) was a TDOT Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) project and consisted of the replacement of a deteriorating bridge over five CSX […]

WPC is the Event of the Year!

October 26th, 2023

The annual Kentucky/ Tennessee Water Professionals Conference is the event of the year for many of us at SSR! I wanted to take some time to reflect on the 2023 event and share my experience and memories.  At SSR, we pride ourselves on the commitment and dedication of our colleagues to contribute to the KY/TN […]

Project Spotlight: Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s LINK Building

August 30th, 2023

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), in Nashville, Tennessee, has hired SSR to provide engineering design and consulting services on the largest expansion project to date on their main campus adult hospital, Vanderbilt University Hospital (VUH). The new LINK building is a 15-story, 460,000 SF tower that will house patient beds, surgical support, imaging transplant and […]

Solving for Positive Pressure

August 30th, 2023

In February of 2022, Atrium Health opened their new greenfield hospital, Union West Hospital, just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. Just days before opening, the project’s design and construction team had an immediate sense of urgency to get the project open. The 40-bed, 150,000 SF facility was having difficulty getting positive pressure at the exterior […]

Houston Dynamo Stadium Renovation

August 1st, 2023

In May, work concluded on a renovation project at Shell Energy Stadium (formally PNC Stadium), home to MLS team Houston Dynamo. The project included four renovated areas aimed at enhancing gameday and event experiences for patrons. Renovation work included a new 9,000 SF private club seating option on the East Sideline, an expansion of the […]

Progress Continues with Vandy United

August 1st, 2023

Vandy United, the $300 million master planning effort focused on reimagining athletics at Vanderbilt University is well underway. Ongoing Work The first project to enter construction, the Basketball Operations Center and North End Zone, is progressing nicely with work also beginning on the South End Zone. The new building will feature a 130,000 SF building […]

SSR Announces Recent Hires in our Memphis Office for our Horizontal Business Units

July 24th, 2023

Clark Coleman, PE, joined the firm in early May as a Civil Project Manager. Prior to joining SSR, he worked for a contractor and for an industrial water team working on projects for a variety of clients including chemical, pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, and municipal water/wastewater. He is a graduate of Georgia Tech.     […]

2023 Water Professionals Conference

July 24th, 2023

This year’s Kentucky Tennessee Water Professionals Conference (KY/TN WPC) will take place July 30 – August 2 at the Renasant Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee. SSR is thrilled to see many of our clients, friends, and industry partners at this event.  Hosted by the Clean Water Professionals of Kentucky & Tennessee (CWP-KT) and the Kentucky/Tennessee […]

Work Concludes on BGMU Water Treatment Plant

July 24th, 2023

With the growth of Warren County and the aging plant’s reliability, Bowling Green Municipal Utilities (BGMU) proactively searched for options for long-term resiliency and reliability for their existing water treatment plant (WTP). SSR worked hand in hand with BGMU over the past several years to guide them through design of an expansion to the water […]

Recapping the 2023 Green Sports Alliance Summit

July 5th, 2023

The 2023 Green Sports Alliance Summit took place from June 26th to June 28th, at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. This event, hosted with Oak View Group, aimed to raise awareness about the impact of sports on our culture and the environment. As the leading global event for sustainability in sports, the conference attracted a […]

Work Concludes on (State Route 6) Franklin Road

May 22nd, 2023

Franklin Road is a major thoroughfare connecting Davidson and Williamson Counties in middle Tennessee. While much of the roadway has been widened to four or five lanes over the years, a section in Williamson County was still two lanes. As a road that sees increased traffic during rush-hour, especially when there is congestion on parallel […]

You Play a Role in Work Zone Safety

May 22nd, 2023

National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 17-21) is an annual week focused on encouraging safe driving through highway work zones. The key message is for drivers to use extra caution in work zones. Work zone safety needs your attention every time you get behind the wheel. Did you know that most people killed in work […]

Trending Now: PFAS

May 18th, 2023

On March 14, 2023, the USEPA proposed a National Drinking Water Regulation to establish legally enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in drinking water. EPA projects that regulation will be finalized in 2024. If finalized as planned, this rule will require drinking water utilities to comply within 3 years. SSR has been actively monitoring these developments […]

An All-Star Peer Review

March 30th, 2023

In preparation for its 2023 All Star weekend, the NBA reached out to SSR to provide a structural peer review of a temporary structured cable bridge carrying television and audio cables into Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, UT. The bridge crossed a major, six-lane road that ran alongside the arena. The NBA sent our […]

Extending the Life of Your Venue

March 30th, 2023

In today’s fast paced world, sporting venues are being replaced at an increased frequency to provide a better experience for fans and athletes, incorporate the latest trends and technology, and keep up with the competition. What does that mean for the current home venue while the shiny new stadium or arena is in design and […]

Vandy United Project Breaks Ground

March 29th, 2023

On February 8, Vanderbilt University broke ground on the first Vandy United construction project. The event, for the new basketball operations center and north end zone project, was followed by a thrilling last second basketball victory by the Commodores over the University of Tennessee at Memorial Gym that reinforced the excitement for the future of […]

F&M Bank Arena Opens

March 29th, 2023

The soft opening for F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, TN occurred earlier this month and plans are being finalized for a grand opening later this summer. The community ice center is starting to host events and will open to the public in May and Austin Peay’s men’s and women’s basketball programs are enjoying their new […]

Project Spotlight: MLGW Emergency Parking Garage Repairs

January 30th, 2023

This project was the ACEC Tennessee Engineering Excellence Awards Grand Award, Structural Systems, Small Projects winner in 2022. Nestled underground, adjacent to the Memphis Light Gas Water (MLGW) administration building, sits a concrete parking structure. Originally constructed in the late 1960s, the garage is a cast-in-place, two-way concrete slab. In February of 2021, a significant […]

Micropiles 101

January 30th, 2023

In Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky, rock is at a high elevation underground and may be used to the benefit of the construction project.  A popular solution to support heavy loading in the region is the use of micropiles. Read on for an introduction to micropiles. What is a micropile? A micropile is a small-diameter […]

Horizonal Program Restructuring

January 30th, 2023

During the second half of 2022, SSR intentionally restructured our horizontal services into three distinct business units: civil, structural, and transportation. This organizational move was done with both our colleagues and clients in mind. From an internal perspective, these distinct business units will leverage unique expertise and relationships to grow efficiently, provide more opportunities for […]

Fun Facts about the Interstate System

November 7th, 2022

When most individuals hop in their and travel long or short distances on any given interstate, I would venture to say that many do not know much about the roads they’re on. Here are some fun facts about the interstate system.   History In 1956, President Eisenhower signed into law the National Interstate and Defense […]

Progress on Old Brownsville Road

November 2nd, 2022

The City of Bartlett, Tennessee, is widening a two-mile section of Old Brownsville Road in an area of town that has seen growth over the past decade. The existing two-lane urban facility overburdened with traffic and congestion is a vital link connecting two major north/south corridors on either end. The route is scattered with neighborhoods, […]

Five Design Considerations for Plate Settlers in Water Treatment Plants

October 28th, 2022

In recent years, SSR has retrofitted tube settler installations with plate settlers and designed new plate settlers for several local municipalities in the region. Utilities’ recent increase in interest of plates over tubes has primarily been charged to the need to increase settled water production without significant infrastructure changes. Compared to traditional settling and tubes, […]

A Recap of SSR’s KYTN Water Professionals Conference Experience

October 27th, 2022

The annual Kentucky Tennessee Water Professionals Conference (WPC) is one of my favorite weeks of the year. The conference is always event packed and a great opportunity to see clients and connect with industry friends. The SSR water team is often well represented with colleagues serving on various boards and planning committees as well as […]

Imagine A Day Without Water

October 20th, 2022

There are many reasons why a community may find itself without potable water. Natural disasters, such as ice storms, heavy rains, flooding, drought, and other occurrences can temporarily cause issues with water distribution. Many water departments plan for these events and, while sometimes devastating and unavoidable, the water contamination or shortage is brief.  Infrastructure issues […]

Snapdragon Stadium Opens

October 5th, 2022

On September 3, 2022, Snapdragon Stadium, the new home to San Diego State University’s (SDSU) football team, as well as the San Diego Wave FC, opened with much fanfare. The SDSU Aztecs hosted the Arizona Wildcats as a crowd of 35,000 kicked off the season and marked the beginning of a new era of growth […]

Rain Rock Casino Expansion

October 5th, 2022

SSR is working on an expansion to Rain Rock Casino, a destination resort owned by the Karuk Tribe in Yreka, California. The expansion, designed to elevate Rain Rock to a must-see destination, includes a 43,000 SF hotel and 4,000 SF events center. The hotel will comprise 80 rooms, an additional eight cottages scattered across the […]

Finding Chiller Solutions in Time for the NHL Season

October 5th, 2022

Project Highlights Designed an approximately 2,800 ton replacement chilled water plant for a 19,000-seat NHL Arena Employed a prefabricated modular chiller plant model to accommodate the tight construction window Completed in September 2022, ahead of the NHL season start, without interruption to building occupancy   SSR has had the privilege of working at Amalie Arena, […]

Redesigning Plough Boulevard

May 4th, 2022

The intersections of Winchester Road with Plough Blvd and Airways Blvd, just west of the Memphis International Airport (MEM), is an inefficient stretch of road that sees nearly 35,000 cars daily. A vital intersection to MEM, FedEx, and the larger Memphis community, the Plough/Airways/Winchester intersection has long been identified as an area in need of […]

ARPA Funding for the W/WW Industry: What to Know and Where to Begin

April 26th, 2022

If you’re in the water industry, you’ve likely heard that A LOT of money is about to be up for grabs over the next few years due to legislation like the American Rescue Plan Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The funding opportunities are exciting… but the hundreds of pages of legislative […]

National Work Zone Awareness Week

April 25th, 2022

This year’s National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), observed April 11-15, was themed “Work Zones are a Sign to Slow Down”.  NWZAW is an annual campaign held at the start of construction season that encourages safe driving through highway work zones. The public awareness campaign was launched 22 years ago to encourage drivers to use extra caution […]

Building Sustainability with Electric Vehicles

March 31st, 2022

The rapid adoption of electric vehicles and the demand for charging stations is affecting many of the markets and projects that SSR serves. Eric Sheffer, LEED AP BD+C, O+M, ISSP-SA, Sustainability Principal, provided insight to how owners, developers, and industry leaders are embracing electric vehicles and charging stations.   Widespread Adoption Interest in electric vehicle charging […]

Designing EV Charging Station Infrastructure

March 17th, 2022

In Part 2 of the series, Design Considerations for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, we explored key considerations for a potential electric vehicle charging project. Now, after the green light to include EV charging on a project, we will dive into the main infrastructure design components necessary for a successful installation. At this point in a […]

Getting BIG EVENT Ready!

March 9th, 2022

In the sporting world, many different events can be classified as “big events,” but there is none larger than the NFL’s Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is typically the world’s most watched annual sporting event. But what does it take to be Super Bowl or big event ready?   In addition to the Super Bowl, […]

2022 NHL Outdoor Games

March 9th, 2022

As a consultant to the NHL, SSR is often asked to perform assessments of venues ahead of their special events, including outdoor games, playoffs, and Stanley Cup Finals. This past fall and winter, SSR was engaged to perform an assessment at all three venues hosting outdoor NHL games: Target Field in Minneapolis: Hosted the 2022 […]

F&M Bank Arena Tops Out

March 9th, 2022

In January of this year, F&M Bank Arena, located in downtown Clarksville, TN, celebrated its topping out ceremony. The multi-purpose event center, owned by Montgomery County and operated by Sabertooth Sports & Entertainment (a division of the Nashville Predators), is working towards an opening in the first half of 2023. The multi-tenant venue will feature […]

48 All-Star Hours in Las Vegas

March 9th, 2022

Work. Play. Sleep. Repeat. That was how I recently spent a busy 48 hours in Las Vegas with two of SSR’s clients: the NHL and Las Vegas Raiders. The NHL was hosting All-Star Weekend at T-Mobile Arena as the Las Vegas Raiders hosted the NFL Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Prior to the festivities, SSR […]

Snapdragon Stadium Update

March 9th, 2022

As progress continues at San Diego State University’s (SDSU) Snapdragon Stadium, the SSR team has continued to make regular site visits, with the most recent trip taking place in late January. Permanent power was brought online in November and our team has been on site assessing the electrical systems being installed, performing field verifications, and […]

Sustainable Impacts for Architectural Design of Venues

March 9th, 2022

Over the past 18 months, the SSR team has been engaged in numerous high-profile pursuits for the sports and entertainment market. Time after time, when an owner was asked what they valued most or what they really wanted the new venue to speak to, we consistently heard these areas of focus: fan experience, fan comfort, […]

Design Considerations for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

March 3rd, 2022

In Part 1 of our series on electric vehicle charging stations, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations 101, I set the foundation for the demand of electric vehicle charging stations. In this segment, I’ll explore five design considerations an owner or property manager should consider when installing charging stations on their site. These considerations apply to both […]

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations 101

February 14th, 2022

Introduced more than 100 years ago, electric vehicles have seen a rise in popularity today for many of the same reasons they were first popular. Whether it’s a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or all-electric, the demand for electric drive vehicles has continued to climb as prices drop and consumers look for ways to save money at […]

The Who, What, Where, When, Why, & How of Structural Assessments

February 1st, 2022

Two stories that dominated the news cycle during the 2021 summer months were the Surfside condominium collapse and the crack discovered in the Hernando de Soto Bridge. Each of these events confirms the value and importance of structural assessments. A structural assessment is performed to ensure that a building or bridge meets all applicable codes […]

GIS Apps at SSR

February 1st, 2022

Geographic Information Science (GIS), or spatial data science, is the scientific discipline of using location intelligence to explore spatial patterns and relationships, answer questions, and solve problems relating to a variety of different topics. At SSR, we help our colleagues and clients harness the power of location intelligence to make better decisions using geographic information […]

What is New in PFAS: The Nitty, The Gritty, and The Weird

February 1st, 2022

PFAS are an emerging contaminant in the water industry, but there is still much debate on the severity of their presence and how to handle them. These chemicals come in thousands of forms but are all characterized by a highly durable fluoroalkyl chain. Some, such as PFAS, are dubbed “forever chemicals” for their longevity in the natural environment. The obvious culprits of PFAS water pollution are Teflon and firefighting foams, […]

A Crash Course in 3D Scanning

February 1st, 2022

Technology continues to impact how we live, work, and perform our jobs. Over the years, sustained advancements in technologies have dramatically increased efficiency and productivity in our daily lives. In the AEC industry specifically, these developments have resulted in additional demands on building projects by increasing the pressure to expedite and accelerate project timelines.  One […]

The Future of Sports Facilities: A Recap

December 6th, 2021

In October, several SSR colleagues attended a breakfast panel hosted by Turner Construction Company, The Nashville Sports Council, and ACEC Tennessee about “The Future of Sports Facilities.” This event was hosted in First Horizon Ballpark (an SSR-designed facility) and was a great forum to listen and discuss the trends shaping the future of our industry. […]

FTX Arena Structural Assessment

December 6th, 2021

After the tragic Surfside condominium collapse outside of Miami earlier this year, SSR was engaged by the ownership team of FTX Arena to provide a structural assessment of the building with a major focus on the parking garage. Home to the NBA’s Miami Heat, the arena was required by local authorities to have an outside […]

Merging of Sports & Healthcare at Performance and Training Facilities

December 6th, 2021

It’s no secret that professional athletics is a booming business. The average worth of the 50 most valuable teams is $3.4 billion (as of May 2021). The top three teams — the Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees, and New York Nicks — are each valued at more than $5 billion!  As the value of professional […]

Progress Continues at Snapdragon Stadium

December 6th, 2021

Work on San Diego State University (SDSU) Snapdragon Stadium is progressing nicely and on track to host the 2022 season opener on September 3rd against the Arizona Wildcats. Recently in July, the stadium construction team reached a major milestone with the topping out ceremony with the last steel beam installed. Since then, the stadium has […]

Innovative Thinking for a Historic Hotel

December 6th, 2021

Grand Hotel is often referred to as “America’s Summer Place.” Located on Northern Michigan’s Mackinac Island, the historic hotel is truly one-of-a-kind, and not because it has received the AAA Four Diamond Rating for 26 consecutive years. What sets Grand Hotel apart is the quaintness that comes with being located on an island that is […]

Highlights from Straight from the Tap

November 2nd, 2021

The Summer/Fall issue of Straight from the Tap highlighted two SSR colleagues for their outstanding achievements. I’m proud of the contributions that our team makes to the water/wastewater profession and it’s important to recognize their commitment to the industry.   Luke Williams, PE, was recognized as the 2021 Water for People Kenneth J. Miller Award […]

The Future Impact of Electric Vehicles on Transportation Planning

November 2nd, 2021

While very few states have regulatory requirements around electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS), they are not ignoring the rise in popularity and the impact that fewer gas-powered cars on the road will have on transportation budgets.  David Donoho, PE, Transportation Principal, provided insight to the future impact of electric vehicles on transportation planning and DOTs. […]

Unidirectional Flushing Modeling

November 2nd, 2021

Communities (cities, utilities, authorities, etc.) across the US consistently utilize hydrant flushing methods to clear sediments from their water distribution system. Water system flushing has long been considered an effective method to remove unwanted tastes, odors, or discolorations of the water, and to improve chlorine residuals. When a community considers implementing a flushing plan into […]

Imagine A Day Without Water

October 26th, 2021

What would a day be like without water? Thursday, October 21st was the seventh annual Imagine a Day Without Water, a national education campaign that highlights how essential water is. SSR celebrated the week by highlighting the lesser known impact of water on projects across our many markets and service lines.   SPORTS VENUES AND […]

Imagine a Day without Water: Aging Infrastructure within Water and Wastewater Treatment

October 20th, 2021

While modern plumbing systems are comparatively advanced in design, the pipes and equipment that make up water infrastructure were not meant to last forever. Richard Chappell, PE, BCEE is an environmental and civil engineer in SSR’s Infrastructure Program. He says many of the pipes that carry water and wastewater have been in the ground for […]

Imagine a Day without Water: Water Conservation and Sustainable Practices

October 20th, 2021

As engineers, architects, and designers consider how to manage water usage for building development, there are several industry-wide rating systems in place that encourage water conservation. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is one rating system that places a high priority on water use reduction and conservation. Hannah Walter, […]

Imagine a Day without Water: Water as a Tool in Manufacturing

October 20th, 2021

In addition to the obvious usage of water in the food manufacturing industry — as an ingredient, cleanser, etc. — water serves as a fundamental tool to transport and protect products throughout the manufacturing process. SSR has a longstanding relationship with a global food processing client which includes the recent design of a new processing […]

Imagine a Day without Water: The Importance of Water in Healthcare

October 19th, 2021

While all buildings require water for consumption, heating, cooling, and plumbing, access to clean water is arguably most critical in healthcare settings. Facilities such as the William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital at UT Southwestern in Dallas, TX have unique needs to be met in order to safely provide for patients and hospital staff. Lee […]

Imagine a Day without Water: Sports Venues and the Creative Use of Water

October 18th, 2021

A sports and entertainment venue requires an abundance of resources to maintain and operate – especially one that hosts a top NBA team. Fortunately, the Chase Center in San Francisco, home of the Golden State Warriors, has several systems in place that efficiently and creatively minimize its environmental impact. SSR’s design consulting services within mechanical, […]

Welcome Back, Fans

September 13th, 2021

We are ready for some football! And basketball! And hockey! Real, in-person sports! After a 2020 fall that saw capped attendance at sporting events across the country, we are thrilled to see stadiums and arenas safely return to full capacity. As we approach every project, delivering a memorable fan experience is often a top goal […]

Top 5 List of Design Considerations for an Owner

September 13th, 2021

SSR has been providing engineering and consulting services to the sports and entertainment market for nearly three decades. Throughout that time, we’ve been privileged to work with dozens of owners with various degrees of experience with a major construction project. From these experiences, we’ve compiled our TOP 5 List of Design Considerations for an owner […]

Covering the Spread: Kentucky Downs

September 8th, 2021

As the Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs celebrates their first anniversary, we wanted to share some photos of the second phase of the project. At the conclusion of the 25,000 SF gaming hall addition, Kentucky Downs converted much of the old space into restaurants and other amenities for patrons to enjoy. SSR took great […]

IAVM 2021 Recap

September 8th, 2021

Mike Rogers and Scott Terry recently attended the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) annual conference,  VenueConnect 2021, in Atlanta.  Representing public assembly venues (arenas, convention centers, amphitheaters, fairgrounds, performing arts centers, stadiums, universities, etc.) from around the world, the conference is an opportunity to bring all types of industry partners together for education, advocacy […]

Rural by Nature

July 30th, 2021

The Mississippi River floods in April and May 2011 were among the largest and most damaging recorded along the U.S. waterway in the past century. The City of Dyersburg, TN, located 79 miles northeast of Memphis, was hit particularly hard with most of the flooding occurring in the community of South Town, one of the […]

Repairing the Hernando DeSoto Bridge

July 29th, 2021

In early May, a mechanical fracture was discovered during a routine inspection of the Interstate 40 bridge (Hernando DeSoto Bridge) over the Mississippi River. The bridge was closed to all traffic while the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) worked together evaluate the damage and determine the best solution for […]

2021 Water Professionals Conference

July 26th, 2021

This year’s Kentucky Tennessee Water Professionals Conference (KY/TN WPC) will take place August 15-18 at the Chattanooga Convention Center. After skipping the 2020 event, SSR is thrilled to once again see many of our clients, friends, and industry partners. Hosted by the Clean Water Professionals of Kentucky & Tennessee (CWP-KT) and the Kentucky/Tennessee Section of […]

Water for Life 2021

July 20th, 2021

Hi! I’m Kate MacIndoe, PE, Civil Engineer – Water/Wastewater, and this year’s Kentucky/Tennessee Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Young Professionals (YP) Chair. Part of my responsibilities as KY/TN AWWA YP Chair are to help coordinate the Water for Life event that takes place Sunday afternoon of the Water Professionals Conference. I am […]

From Coffee to Cocktails

June 2nd, 2021

SSR has been working on the whiskey bar at Choctaw Casino & Resort-Durant. The project is the reimagining of a former coffee shop into The Reserve, a new whiskey lounge and bar, as part of the resort’s capital improvement projects. SSR provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design for the new power, mechanical, lighting, and plumbing […]

Personal Experiences as Women in Healthcare

June 1st, 2021

This blog originally appeared on the Women in Healthcare blog. You can learn more about the organization here. Women in Healthcare, as an organization, is “committed to providing women in the healthcare industry with the community and tools needed to prosper and to allow them to have a seat at the table they want to […]

Networked Lighting Controls – Design Considerations with Integration in Mind

May 25th, 2021

Sports and entertainment facilities need some of the most versatile controls when considering integration and operation of a building.  Whether we’re talking about a stadium, arena, gaming space, or event space, controllability of lighting systems has many considerations when designing a new system or integrating into an existing one.   Today, energy codes provide a […]

A CMAR Success Story for Three Miles of Pipeline

April 20th, 2021

In 2018, SSR began working with a utility district in Middle Tennessee on the addition of a new force main at one of their largest pump stations for increased flexibility during wet weather events. The goal was to install a new 24” ductile iron force main approximately three miles in length along very difficult terrain […]

Water Modeling Analyses

April 20th, 2021

A hydraulic water model is a powerful tool that can aid in development impact assessment, master planning, fire flow analysis, and emergency response occurrences. Through the help of specialized software, such as InfoWater Pro, a community’s distribution system can be modeled as a network that includes many attributes such as diameter and length of pipes, […]

National Work Zone Awareness Week

April 20th, 2021

This year’s National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), observed April 26-30, is themed “Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives.”  NWZAW is an annual campaign held at the start of construction season that encourages safe driving through highway work zones. The public awareness campaign was launched 21 years ago to encourage drivers to use extra caution […]

Six Things I Wasn’t Taught in School: Starting a Job During a Pandemic

April 20th, 2021

My engineering professors at Vanderbilt always told us that there’s only so much you can learn in the classroom and that we would have to be prepared to learn on the job after graduation. I knew they were right—the real world is a lot more complicated and unpredictable than carefully crafted homework problems—but I underestimated […]

Return to Play

February 16th, 2021

In late 2020, league officials from both the NBA and NHL were looking at ways to protect both the players and fans in their arenas. Ahead of their respective seasons, each league published return to play protocols that included recommended and required measures. These guidelines prioritized measures intended to reduce the risk of transmission of […]

San Diego State University Stadium & Mission Valley Master Plan

February 10th, 2021

When the San Diego State University (SDSU) Aztec’s kick-off their 2022 season, they’ll be doing so in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility. The 35,000-seat stadium will be the first completed component of the redevelopment of the old Qualcomm Stadium, the former 135-acre home of the San Diego Chargers. Bashor Field at Aztec Stadium Located on […]

Granular Activated Carbon – Past and Future Uses for Water Treatment

January 28th, 2021

When is it ok to sacrifice our health for the sake of convenience? This has been a burning question for consumers and regulators as they work to implement a plan to reduce the hormone disrupting and cancer causing PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) – also known as forever chemicals – polluting many of our source […]

Corrosion – An Attack on our Most Visual Assets

January 28th, 2021

One of the most troublesome, yet often overlooked enemies of the water/wastewater industry is corrosion.   It is estimated that the direct cost of dealing with corrosion in the United States totals $276 billion annually, $36 billion of which is spent in the water/wastewater (W/WW) industry alone.  This estimate comes from a two-year study performed by […]

Benefits of a Water Model

January 28th, 2021

As cities and communities around the country continue grow, many local water departments and utilities are faced with challenges, particularly as it relates to infrastructure. The challenge of significant growth will be most felt by those that are the sole water provider for an area. Fortunately, technology has continued to advance and water modeling software […]

How COVID-19 May Reshape the Built Environment – LEED’s Response to Safe Re-opening

November 4th, 2020

As we seek more information on the safest way to re-open our buildings during this pandemic, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has launched a set of pilot credits under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) green building rating system. These pilot credits provide sustainable best practices relative to disinfecting and cleaning, HVAC […]

Doubling Down on A New Gaming Hall

October 5th, 2020

In early September, the Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs, a 25,000 SF addition, opened to much fanfare. The premier gaming destination features 850 slot machines, a high stakes area, sophisticated central bar, and entertainment stage. SSR provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and technology design services for the project. Designing the mechanical system for […]

Vanderbilt Healthcare Design and Construction Symposium

September 17th, 2020

Since 2007, the School of Engineering at Vanderbilt University has hosted their annual Healthcare Design & Construction Symposium. In a typical year, the highly sought-after event is attended by 150 healthcare professionals from across the country. This year, due to restrictions stemming from COVID-19, the symposium went virtual, presenting eight sessions over two days to […]

Evaluating Fabric vs Sheetmetal Ductwork

August 26th, 2020

Iconic but future-proof, innovative with a community-focus. These are some of the expectations of new sports and entertainment venues being built around the world. Ownership teams are looking for jaw-dropping designs that appeal to fans, deliver a competitive advantage to the home team, and often anchor a massive entertainment district intended to revitalize a community. […]

A Modern Masterpiece: Allegiant Stadium

August 5th, 2020

In August, the doors to Allegiant Stadium will open to the public for the first time, unveiling arguably one of the most exciting entertainment venues in the world. Less than three years after the groundbreaking ceremony, all eyes will be on the new home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders. The 65,000-seat, almost $2 billion […]

Re-developing Amon G. Carter Stadium

August 5th, 2020

In 2009, Texas Christian University (TCU) decided to embark on a transformative project for Amon G. Carter Stadium, the historic home to the Horned Frogs football team. Originally built in the early 1930s, the stadium had been gradually expanded over the years, but the athletic department and administration recognized a need for more space, improved […]

Sports Lighting Around Reliable Electrical Systems

May 20th, 2020

Unfortunately for the players of Super Bowl XLVII, any on-field action is probably the third-most memorable event for the casual viewer. The 2013 game is most known for either Beyoncé’s halftime show or for the lights going out early in the third quarter.  Parts of the stadium went dark for over thirty minutes, leaving fans […]

Drone Technology

December 8th, 2017

Perhaps the future of gathering information about projects is in the air. SSR is testing that theory. Drones came into the public consciousness a few years ago, mostly as novelty holiday gifts. The new age alternative to remote-controlled airplanes, drones offered something additional — they could hover and they included ample space to mount a […]

Sustainability in Sports Design

September 22nd, 2017

Owners of sports and entertainment venues and design firms have long been focused on innovative design, comfort of their patrons, and facility performance. Over the past several years, the focus has shifted to include sustainability as a primary objective. As high-profile entertainment venues, sports facilities are in a unique position to showcase facility performance and […]

Operating Under Pressure: The Importance of Maintaining Building Pressure

July 12th, 2017

When changing from one event to another, building pressure and air flow can be a major concern for venue operations. Not only can they affect energy efficiency, a major concern for many owners, they can also affect air quality in the building, and, by extension, both patron experience and the event itself. In 2016, SSR […]