Midwestern Consulting

Midwestern Consulting provided engineering services for this culvert replacement project. Services included hydraulic analyses for several alternatives to determine the optimum culvert design, a 5-foot by 12-foot concrete box culvert. Because the area was heavily traveled by pedestrian traffic and located in a residential neighborhood near a city park, it was important that the project be both expedient and the outcome attractive. During installation of the culvert, several fiber optic communication lines had to be supported by a steel beam and a storm water bypass pipe installed to temporarily divert stormwater around the culvert area. The project was a coordinated effort between the Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner's Office and the City of Ann Arbor. Both the City's Utility and Parks Departments were highly involved because of the water and sewer relocations, and the project's proximity to Plymouth Park.

Major development pressures required the Washtenaw County Road Commission to take action to improve safety and traffic flow along this two lane highway in a once-rural area. Several area features added to the challenge: wetlands, historic sites, railroad crossing, bridge overpass, two major health care facilities, and access to a city treatment plant and sewer lines. Midwestern Consulting provided environmental and traffic assessments, design plans and specifications, cost estimates, and staging plans to the county, as well as participation in public meetings. The approved plan included a pre-stressed concrete multispan, grade separated bridge spanning the river, railroad, and treatment plant access drive. When completed it will provide for 5 lanes and a sidewalk.

Since 1976, Midwestern Consulting has provided surveying, planning, engineering, and construction related services on over 100 projects for the University of Michigan. Topographic and boundary surveys have been done for dozens of campus facilities, including the hospital, residence halls, academic buildings, roads, and sports facilities. Recent work includes 3D, high definition, surveying of the football stadium prior to planned renovations. The survey captured every structural element (every beam, column, window, seat, and step) and generated an accurate 3D model for use in creating detailed plan and section drawings. The photo here is the point cloud image produced by the laser scanner. The point cloud consists of 45 million points. Each one capable of providing precise horizontal and vertical information.