Gresham Smith Awarded Statewide Utility Management Contract in Kentucky
Gresham Smith is one of three firms that have been selected to manage the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) inaugural statewide utility management program.
This contract is the first mechanism provided by the state that will allow selected consultants to assist KYTC, local governments and utility companies with their design or coordination needs. The goal is to bring utility management needs to the forefront of the project so that any issues can be addressed before projects reach the construction phase to save the client time and money.
“We have a strong track record of success in Kentucky for utility design and coordination, and we are excited to have the opportunity to participate in KYTC’s first ever statewide program,” said Jim Brannon, P.E., Kentucky state transportation leader at Gresham Smith. “Our team of experts will use their knowledge working with large and small utilities to build trust between KYTC and utility owners to seamlessly incorporate utility coordination and design throughout the project development process.”
The firm’s team is led by Project Manager Nikki Boden, P.E., a former KYTC utility manager, who will be on call to support KYTC on a variety of utility management issues across the state, including utility coordination, construction inspection and design. The contract includes design for communications, telephone, fiber, electric, water, sewer and gas facilities.
In recent years, the firm has performed utility coordination on a number of projects throughout the state including through its existing highway safety improvement program with KYTC. Other major projects that featured utility management include Kentucky Route 9 reconstruction in Newport as well as I-Move Kentucky projects along I-265, I-64 and I-71.
Gresham Smith’s transportation professionals deliver comprehensive management, planning, design, environmental, and construction phase services for highway, transit, aviation and rail facilities throughout the Southeast. The staff of engineers, planners and scientists capitalize on the firm’s diverse blend of markets and disciplines to offer a truly integrated and sustainable approach that considers all perspectives and offers practical, forward-thinking solutions.