Paving the Way for Community Growth: Volga, SD Industrial Park Improvement Projects
Banner Associates, Inc. | Mar 17, 2021
Volga’s Industrial Park is already home to many thriving businesses, and it’s expanding to welcome others on the horizon. To ensure prospective businesses can smoothly set up shop, the City set to work with updates and improvements to the current infrastructure. Part of this ongoing effort included securing funds to cover a portion of construction costs. The City decided to apply for the SDDOT Industrial Park Access Grant, which can cover up to 80% of eligible construction costs; Banner assisted with the application process.
The project specific to these grant funds resulted in updates to the drainage and storm sewer system and a street reconstruction on Industrial Drive. Starting south of a recycling business and traveling north toward a construction business and trucking firm, this 1,000-foot street section changed from gravel to finished street.
Designed to accommodate heavy truck traffic, the 39-foot wide asphalt section is six inches thick on top of an additional ten inches of aggregate base. This tapers into a 30-foot wide paved section with wide driveways for the trucking business. Curbs and gutters line both sections for improved aesthetics and drainage.
Bowes Construction served as the general contractor with subcontracting work from Clark Drew Construction and Meyer Services. Together, they installed over 1,300 tons of asphalt concrete and nearly 2,000 linear feet of concrete curbs and gutter, improving travel and access for at least six businesses in the Volga Industrial Park.
Volga continues to grow, and Banner is here to help. We are working with the City on their new industrial development area in the northwest area of town to meet the rising demand for more industrial lots. Planned for completion in August / September 2021, the new Volga Industrial Park will have 8 different lots (ranging from 0.6–2.4 acres in size) connected with a heavy-duty, 30-foot wide asphalt road with curb and gutter. Storm sewer, watermain, and sanitary sewer infrastructure are included as part of this project as well. These features ensure the new Volga Industrial Park is ready for a variety of businesses: plans for the first building are already underway!
You can read more about this new development on the Brookings EDC website, or by contacting the Volga City Administrator, Jameson Berreth at (605) 627-9113.
Visit: brookingsedc.com
Project Spotlight: Lewis & Clark Regional Water System
Banner Associates, Inc. | Jan 20, 2021
Iowa Segment 3: Water for the Iowa members of Lewis & Clark
The Lewis & Clark Regional Water System Iowa Treated Water Pipeline – Segment 3 is the last Segment of pipe construction that needs to be completed to allow water to be delivered to the Iowa members of Lewis & Clark (Sioux Center, Hull and Sheldon). Iowa Segment 3 is just 1 of 3 projects being constructed by the same Contractor between Beresford SD and Sioux Center IA. Total length of all three projects is 33.45 miles to install a 24-inch diameter pipe to transmit treated drinking water. The Iowa 3 project itself is 12.59 miles. When finished the pipeline will ultimately deliver 3.75 million gallons of water per day to the Iowa members.
Top Left: Assembling a joint of the 24-inch diameter bore pipe prior to welding. In order to protect the pipes internal lining during the welding process a unique coupling was utilized to protect the girth weld from corrosion. Bottom Left: This pull head will be welded to the 24-inch diameter bore pipe to allow connection of a drill stem for pulling the pipe under the Big Sioux River.
The Segment 12 project started at Beresford, SD, and consisted of 9.67 miles of 24-inch diameter PVC pipe. The Iowa Segment 2 project started at Sioux Center and went west and is 11.19 miles of 24-inch diameter PVC pipe. The pipe pressures are higher at the Big Sioux River valley, requiring the Iowa Segment 3 project to be either ductile iron pipe or steel pipe. The contractor chose to use a ductile iron pipe for most all of Iowa Segment 3 and utilized a welded steel pipe to cross under the Big Sioux River.
The Big Sioux River defines the boundary between South Dakota and Iowa and flows past the communities of Sioux Falls, and Hudson, SD and Hawarden, IA. It also collects the Rock River which flows from Luverne, MN.
Above: This is the drill rig/bore machine located on the Iowa side of the Big Sioux River. In the lower left corner of photo you can see the drill stem as it enters the ground. This drill stem has been extended under the Big Sioux River and into South Dakota. The bore machine via the drill stem will pull the 24-inch diameter pipe and centering it under the Big Sioux River and positioning it for a connection to 24-inch ductile iron pipe.
Top: Banner Associates Sr. Project Manager Scott Vander Meulen and a representative from the contractor review the directional drilling pulling head after it has been welded on the 24-inch diameter pipe. Protective coatings will be applied to the welded joint before the pipe gets pulled under the Big Sioux River. Scott has been involved in the planning, design and project management of this Segment of L&C for several years. Bottom: The contractor is moving the 1700 foot long steel pipe into position so that it can be connected to the drill stem.
In order to serve the L&C members of Hull, Sheldon and Sioux Center, IA, a pipe had to be constructed across or “under” the Big Sioux River. To install the pipe across the Big Sioux River the Contractor utilized a construction method known as Horizontal Directional Drilling or HDD. A pipe stem is drilled or advanced under the river from the Iowa side and once it emerges on the South Dakota side a larger reamer (drill bit) is attached to the stem and pulled back so that the bore hole is reamed to a larger diameter bore hole. Eventually the hole is reamed to a 36-inch diameter and large enough to allow the 24-inch water pipe to be pulled through the bore hole via the drill stem which is attached to the boring machine on the Iowa side.
The Lewis and Clark Regional Water System, a non-profit corporation composed of numerous municipalities and rural water systems, is constructing a water supply pipeline and associated well field, pump stations, treatment plant, and storage reservoirs throughout southeastern South Dakota, southwestern Minnesota, and northwestern Iowa. The completed pipeline system would be approximately 310 miles long, and will provide a high-quality reliable domestic water supply to residents of 14 counties in southeastern South Dakota, southwestern Minnesota, and northwestern Iowa.
Importance of Community
Banner Associates, Inc. | Dec 29, 2020
Banner Associates has been around since 1947. We’re proud to be an engineering firm that provides a wide array of services to our clients, and we feel fortunate to be a growing, thriving business. But truth be told, there’s more to our business than engineering. To align our purpose with the communities we serve, it’s important that we demonstrate a commitment to our communities throughout the year.
"Now and always, our commitment to community is a priority."
We at Banner take pride in supporting our staff that participate and donate their time to programs like Brookings County Youth Mentoring, SDSU’s Growing in Engineering, Mathematics, and Science (GEMS) Program, Feeding Brookings, Project Joy, the Backpack Projects in Brookings and Sioux Falls, Habitat for Humanity, as well as involvement in various community boards, committees, and efforts.
We’ve enjoyed community outreach opportunities that make our communities better, like helping high school students prepare for the workforce, hosting a Community Open House to promote the Build Dakota Scholarship Program, and organizing community screening events in Brookings and Huron for “Dream Big,” an inspiring film that portrays human ingenuity and the impact of engineering. Now and always, our commitment to community is a priority.
#engineeringabettercommunity
Banner is Excited to Announce Our Newly Established Environmental Department
Banner Associates, Inc. | Nov 16, 2020
WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE?
Environmental compliance is meeting official environmental requirements. Simply put, doing everything that is required by local, state, and/or federal laws that are focused on protecting social, economic, cultural, and natural resources in our environment. Some examples of these laws include the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY PROJECT REQUIRES ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE?
All projects should be reviewed to determine which environmental regulations are applicable and their requirements. Due to our South Dakota-focused team’s knowledge of each regulation and process, we can map out a path for each specific project in a short conversation. Please do not hesitate to give our Environmental Department a call to discuss.
HOW CAN THE BANNER ENVIRONMENTAL TEAM ASSIST IN COMPLETING MY PROJECT?
Our approach anticipates the regulatory and legal requirements, along with community concerns. We have completed numerous environmental documents under the National Environmental Policy Act and have worked with federal agencies to ensure regulatory compliance with all laws.
Environmental regulations vary in the application for each project, as does the level of compliance required. Mapping a strategy focused on each project meeting the environmental regulations promptly is always our goal. Our environmental team offers excellent collaboration to successfully implement your project.
WHAT SERVICES DOES THE BANNER ENVIRONMENTAL TEAM PROVIDE?
- NEPA Documentation (Categorical Exclusions, Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements)
- Wetland Delineations that meet US Army Corp of Engineers requirements
- Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments
- Section 404 Permitting
- Wetland Mitigation Site Identification and Design
- Strategic Communication
- Documentation such as Solid Waste Codes and Solid Waste Management Plans Climate Analysis and Adaptation Plans
- Public Information, Website Development, and Social Media Section 106 Coordination
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- General Habitat Assessments and Biological Assessment Documentation
- Topeka Shiner Construction Monitoring
- Wildlife Management Plans, Wildlife Population Analyses, Program Development
- Grant Writing
- Hazardous Material Review
- Asset Management
MEET OUR ENVIRONMENTAL TEAM
Becky Baker, Environmental Department Head
Leading our Environmental Department is Becky Baker, a graduate of SDSU and a life-long resident of South Dakota. She has over 17 years of experience in environmental analysis, assisting cities, counties, and states to meet environmental requirements to move forward with infrastructure projects. Becky specializes in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation and wetland regulations.
Cheryl Chapman, Ph.D., PE Technical Advisor
Dr. Chapman has more than 41 years in the environmental field, holding top management and leadership positions in both the private and government sectors. Her experience as an engineer, corporate director, elected official, and public administrator brings diverse capabilities and perspectives, which are essential in controversial environmental projects within communities. She specializes in strategic communication and Section 106 consultation.
Leslie Murphy, Project Manager
Leslie has over 20 years of experience in environmental review, compliance, and conservation, assisting clients with navigation through environmental regulations in an effective, efficient process. Leslie has worked in coordination with private landowners, local, state, federal, and Tribal agencies and can effectively identify environmental impacts. Her focus includes public and agency coordination, NEPA documentation, Section 404 permitting on water resource projects, wetland delineation, and threatened and endangered species impact assessment.
Reinique Beck, Environmental Scientist
Reinique has 8 years’ experience working with Tribal Natural Resource and Water Resource Departments in South Dakota. She specializes in assisting tribal departments in meeting required operational documentation and strategic communication. Reinique has collaborated with various agencies in the collection of water sample testing for pesticides in wetlands, intermittent streams, and lakes located on Tribal lands.
Audra Van Ekeren, Environmental Scientist
Audra has 2 years of experience in biological surveys, habitat assessments, watershed protection, and conservation in government, academic, and volunteer roles both in the United States and abroad. She specializes in watershed management analysis fieldwork at Banner, and her focus includes wetland delineations, threatened and endangered species impact assessments, NEPA documentation, and GIS. Outside of Banner, Audra is an avid bird of prey conservationist and advocate.
Brennan Hilzendeger, Environmental Scientist
Brennan specializes in air quality monitoring and wetland delineations. He brings 2 years’ experience working with air quality monitoring, wetland delineations, and threatened and endangered species surveys. He has worked with the NRCS, USACE, and the South Dakota DENR. Brennan's focus will include wetland delineations, assisting with NEPA documentation, and assisting with T&E impact assessments.
Joanna Studt, Biologist
Joanna, with over 20 years of experience, specializes in natural resource management issues facing tribal, federal, state, and private entities. Her work includes wildlife management plans, wetland delineation, wildlife population analyses, program development, and grant writing, which helps entities resolve management issues by providing sound, biological data on which to base decisions.
Zachary Darling, Engineer Graduate
A 2019 Engineering graduate of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Zach specializes in hazardous material review and climate analysis.
Frank Parker, GIS Analyst
Frank Parker specializes in GIS and asset management databases for communities. With over 3 years’ experience, he works with clients to create asset management systems and perform analysis of their assets to aid in determining future planning.