TEMPE, ARIZ. (Jan. 12, 2021) – Despite a year unlike any other that affected industries across every business sector in the U.S., engineering consultant Terracon weathered 2020 and enters the new year with a full head of momentum.
In Phoenix, Terracon will be part of the FNF-Pulice-Flatiron team on the I-10 and Broadway curve improvement/design-build project. Terracon will provide geotechnical engineering services for the ADOT project and will work on the design team with TY Lin International.
Terracon will also begin construction materials engineering services for multifamily project NOVEL Val Vista in and Gilbert and will begin construction services for the new Banner Rehabilitation Hospital at Gateway. In Tucson, Terracon will begin construction services for a new fueling facility at Tucson International Airport.
“It (2020) was a hard year, and not one I would want to repeat,” said Terracon Regional Manager Brent M. Borchers, P.E. “Our employee-owner team responded well to the challenges and remained focused and for the most part healthy throughout the year. Their efforts resulted in a very impressive year despite the circumstances.”
Terracon expanded its footprint in the West and Southwest in September when it acquired Environmental Planning Group (EPG). The addition of EPG enhanced Terracon’s environmental services offerings in the Rocky Mountain Division and Western U.S. The firm will continue to serve clients locally as Environmental Planning Group, A Terracon Company. EPG is an environmental planning and design firm serving a broad range of public- and private-sector clients throughout the Western U.S.
The acquisition of EPG helped Terracon grow its Arizona presence to 123 employees: 75, Terracon Tempe office; 27, EPG Phoenix office; and 21, Terracon Tucson office.
“It was a crazy year and just doing business was quite challenging,” said Chuck Reynolds, Senior Principal and Senior Client Development Manager for Terracon’s Rocky Mountain Division. “We were fortunate to continue our growth as a result of a very dedicated team in Arizona. I think that commitment to service our clients and community will help us to sustain growth into 2021.”
The pandemic did not deter Terracon from its philanthropic endeavors. The Terracon Tempe office had to postpone its annual golf tournament. However, it still donated $5,000 to Kids for Hope; $2,500 from clients plus Terracon match.
The Tucson office continued its grant program with the University of Arizona’s Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. It donated $6,000 to support scholarships. The Tucson office presented a Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation grant to student Briana Li-Vidal. Li-Vidal won 2020 Emerging Leader Excellence Award from Terracon and was nominated for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s “Arizona’s Finest” campaign which recognizes outstanding young professionals in the community.
“2020 was a challenging year, but our team of employee-owners responded well. This is not only in regards to their adoption of new health and safety protocols required for COVID, but also in their commitment to continuing to serve our clients with excellence and integrity,” said Terracon Tucson Office Manager Derek Koller, CIH, CHMM.
“Terracon as a whole did an excellent job in taking care of employee-owners and keeping them informed about COVID,” Koller said. “Our field technicians and front-line workers received additional bonuses and I just could not be prouder of how our firm’s leadership and my team has navigated this difficult time. The result was a great year for the Tucson office and the Arizona region. We look forward to sustaining growth in 2021 and meeting any new challenges we might face.”
Terracon’s notable projects in 2020:
- ADEQ: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Consulting Services (Phoenix and Tucson offices). Services: Site investigation- site characterization, groundwater modeling, risk assessment, UST removal oversight and site closure.
- I-10 Fairway Drive TI (Phoenix office). Services: Geotechnical and pavement design, followed by post-design services during construction.
- East Line Solar Project (Phoenix office). Services: Subconsultant for obtaining concrete and soil samples for lab testing, field density testing, and foundation observations.
- High Prairie Wind Bridge Temporary Shoring Design (Phoenix office). Services: GeoDesign for retaining structures, geotechnical site characterization field exploration and geotechnical reporting.
- Grant Road Improvements Phase 5 & 6 (Tucson office). Services: Geotechnical engineering analysis/consulting and design.
- Tucson Electric Power (TEP) Cottonwood 138kV Substation. Services: Industrial hygiene lead-containing building materials.
Terracon is an employee-owned consulting engineering firm with more than 5,000 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from more than 150 offices with services available in all 50 states.
Terracon ranks 22nd on the Engineering News-Record list of Top 500 Design Firms and is ranked No. 1 in Asbestos and Lead Abatement Design.
To learn more about Terracon visit terracon.com/offices/phoenix/
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