Ұ����Ƶapp is recognized for partnering with Placer County and Caltrans to deliver solutions for complex infrastructure projects across California.

DENVER, Colo., Feb. 19, 2026 — Ұ����Ƶapp Technical Consultants (Ұ����Ƶapp), a leading infrastructure and environmental solutions provider, received the Honor Award at the from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of California for its work on Placer County’s Foresthill Bridge.

In addition, Ұ����Ƶapp’ work on California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) Reporting Improvements Project and its Skid Testing Modernization Project also received recognition, with the first earning a Merit Award and the second earning a Commendation Award.

The three projects were among 62 engineering and land surveying efforts in California recognized for excellence, and the Foresthill Bridge project will now compete at a national level.

“The Engineering Excellence Awards recognize projects that stand out for quality and the complexity of the finished project. Our clients, Placer County and Caltrans, are taking on some of the most complex and innovative infrastructure challenges, like inspecting and repairing California’s tallest bridge or using the latest technology to improve roadway safety, to help their communities flourish and thrive,” said Jacque Hinman, Ұ����Ƶapp CEO. “Quality is at the core of everything we do at Ұ����Ƶapp, and we are honored to accept these awards alongside our clients, which are truly a testament to and celebration of engineering excellence in California and beyond.”

A panel of judges with a broad range of environmental and technical expertise selected this year’s top engineering achievements using criteria such as uniqueness, originality and complexity, as well as technical, economic and social value. The projects Ұ����Ƶapp led or supported receiving awards are:

Foresthill Bridge – Placer County

Ұ����Ƶapp was contracted by Placer County to conduct safety testing of 288 fracture-critical steel welds on the Foresthill Bridge, California’s tallest bridge, as part of a federally funded initiative examining T-1 steel structures nationwide. The testing uncovered defects at nearly four times the expected rate.����

The 2,428-foot structure carries more than 50,000 vehicles daily across the American River. Ұ����Ƶapp performed inspections at heights exceeding 700 feet using custom scaffolding and specialized equipment while maintaining continuous traffic flow.����

Results showed 37 percent of welds contained defects, compared with the anticipated 10 percent rate. Ұ����Ƶapp adapted testing procedures in real time and completed 44 repairs to American Welding Society standards. The project was finished without safety incidents despite challenging weather and working conditions.����

The findings are informing Federal Highway Administration guidance for evaluating T-1 steel structures across the country. For Placer County residents, the work provides continued safe passage on a critical transportation link connecting Sierra Nevada communities. The inspection protocols developed contribute to a national shift toward proactive infrastructure maintenance, preventing costly emergency repairs or disruptions.����

EPD Reporting Improvements Project — Caltrans

Ұ����Ƶapp was contracted by Caltrans to deliver a new, mission-critical application to collect, validate and report contractor-submitted environmental data in support of the Buy Clean California Act. The system establishes a modern, centralized platform to support consistent EPD data intake, verification and compliance tracking, replacing previously fragmented and manual processes. ����

The EPD tool gives Caltrans a more efficient and user-friendly portal for data submission and equips Caltrans Materials Engineering and Testing personnel with improved tools for data validation, verification and compliance report generation. By streamlining workflows and introducing dynamic reporting and export capabilities, the system transforms complex environmental impact data into accessible, accurate and actionable intelligence.

To achieve these outcomes, Ұ����Ƶapp designed and implemented an intuitive submission workflow, prioritized usability and developed advanced reporting and export functionality. The EPD tool allows Caltrans to generate comprehensive, professionally formatted compliance reports, significantly improving transparency, efficiency and regulatory oversight.

Skid Testing Modernization Project — Caltrans

Ұ����Ƶapp, in partnership with GritForce Inc. (GritForce), was contracted by Caltrans to evaluate and implement Continuous Friction Measurement Equipment (CFME) technology as a replacement for the California Portable Skid Tester (CA-PST), which has been in use since the 1950s.��

As the technical experts of record, Ұ����Ƶapp and GritForce led a four-phase evaluation of CFME across laboratory and field conditions. Testing demonstrated a correlation coefficient greater than 0.8 with CA-PST results, outperforming the historical 0.69 benchmark achieved by earlier locked-wheel trailer methods. These findings provided the basis for updating California Test Method 342 to formally authorize the use of CFME statewide.����

The CFME implementation represents the first validated alternative to CA-PST technology in California, using advanced sensor technology that enables continuous friction measurement at walking speeds on concrete and bridge deck surfaces.

The technology allows both Caltrans staff and contractors to perform independent friction testing for the first time, reducing coordination requirements and accelerating project delivery. Independent testing capabilities enhance roadway maintenance practices and support safer travel across California’s transportation system for nearly 39 million residents.����

Award recipients will be honored at the annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala being held during ACEC California’s Annual Conference, Feb. 18–19, 2026.

About Ұ����Ƶapp Technical Consultants:

Ұ����Ƶapp provides professional testing, inspection, engineering,��consulting��and quality management services from more than 100 locations nationwide. With a talent base of 3,300 and $650 million in revenue, we deliver infrastructure and environmental solutions to public- and��private-sector��clients. To learn more about Ұ����Ƶapp, visit ��and follow us on��,�������Ի���.

Media Contacts:

Lori Irvine
Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications
lori.irvine@oneatlas.com

Carolyn King
Director of Communications
carolyn.king@oneatlas.com

Project wins Engineering Excellence Award.

Faced with aging equipment and outdated technology, Caltrans needed a new way to measure friction on its roadways and bridges to keep California drivers safe. The agency identified Continuous Friction Measurement Equipment (CFME), a new technology that continuously collects friction data under walking speeds, as an alternative to measuring skid resistance.

Caltrans turned to Ұ����Ƶapp and GritForce Inc. to conduct a thorough investigation—comparing the device historically used to collect this data—the California Portable Skid Tester (CA PST)—to the new CFME device. ��Ұ����Ƶapp worked collaboratively with Caltrans and industry partners to assess equipment performance by implementing specialized friction surveys, examining the unique capabilities of CFMEs across a range of road surfaces, including asphalt and concrete pavements along bridge decks.

Findings from these efforts informed updates to CT 342, Caltrans’ specification for skid resistance monitoring. Pavement friction plays a critical role in keeping California’s roads safer because friction affects how vehicles interact with the road. By testing pavement friction, especially on bridges or locations where vehicles are turning, slowing and stopping, Caltrans is protecting its community and helping to prevent roadway collisions by modernizing its friction measurement technology that has been in place since the 1950s.

Ұ����Ƶapp received a Commendation Award in the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) California in its 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards competition, for its partnership with Caltrans on this public safety project. The award recognizes Ұ����Ƶapp’ role in helping Caltrans modernize its measurement tools for monitoring roadway friction.

“Ұ����Ƶapp has been recognized locally and nationally for our strong collaboration with Caltrans to advance roadway safety through innovative technology,” said Jacque Hinman, Ұ����Ƶapp CEO. “We are honored to see this new technology receive industry recognition advancing public safety standards.”

What it takes to inspect 288���ɱ�����, 730 feet in the air.��

A Bridge Between Past and Future ��

Stretching 2,428 feet across the American River canyon, the Foresthill Bridge is the tallest bridge in California and the fourth highest in the United States. It’s a local landmark where generations have left their stamp, a backdrop to daily life and even a piece of film history.����

In 2024, this 50-year-old structure became the focus of a federally funded initiative to assess bridges built with T-1 steel — a mid-century material associated with emerging safety concerns. Constructed in 1973 with 288 fracture-critical butt welds, Foresthill was selected for comprehensive non-destructive testing as part of a national program.��

The challenge: inspect every weld on one of the country’s tallest bridges while keeping traffic safely moving.��

An Inspection Unlike Any Other����

Placer County selected Ұ����Ƶapp to lead the inspection based on our proven performance on high-risk, high-profile projects, including the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the I-10 Freeway fire response.����

The team developed and executed a plan to inspect every weld using a combination of suspended snooper trucks, custom-engineered access platforms and advanced ultrasonic testing methods, with inspections performed at heights exceeding 700 feet.����

The work required:����

• Operating sensitive equipment in extreme height and weather conditions.����
• Maintaining American Welding Society (AWS) D1.5 Bridge Welding Code compliance.��
• Coordinating with Caltrans Materials Engineering and Testing Services and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) oversight teams.��
• Ensuring crew safety through 18+ rain-impacted days.��

“E���������weld we inspect carries the weight of public trust.��Our job is to evaluate thoroughly and report clearly,��so our clients can make informed decisions that support safer infrastructure for the communities they serve.”��–Aaron��Prchlik, PE, Project Manager.����

When Scope Expands, Execution Matters ��

The original plan called for a targeted inspection. As work progressed, the defect rate became significantly higher than the initially anticipated. Several welds required immediate metallurgical review due to surface-breaking cracks.

Ұ����Ƶapp responded in real time by:��

• Increasing ultrasonic testing to achieve full defect coverage.��
• Adapting scanning techniques for obstructed weld locations.��
• Providing timely data to support emergency repair decisions.��
• Maintaining detailed documentation throughout the expanded scope.��

Results That Reached Beyond Placer County ��

The inspection protocols, findings and repair recommendations developed through this project are helping inform FHWA guidance for evaluating T-1 steel bridges across the country. The project contributes to a shift in national conversation from reactive maintenance to proactive infrastructure protection.��

Key Outcomes:

A Legacy Maintained ��

Today, the Foresthill Bridge continues to carry more than 50,000 daily travelers, standing not only as an engineering achievement but also as a structure maintained through decades of partnership and public investment.����

The inspection effort highlights the importance of collaboration among agencies, engineers, and inspectors. Through strategic planning and coordinated execution, the project advanced immediate safety goals and contributed to a deeper understanding of the conditions of T-1 steel bridges nationwide.����

Learn More and See the Work in Action��

• Watch the Project:��
• Foresthill Bridge Project Wins National ACEC Engineering Excellence Award

What does it take to make our roads safer, smoother and more sustainable?��
In this episode, Baron Colbert, Ph.D., Senior Engineer at Ұ����Ƶapp, shares the human and technical sides of innovation in pavement testing. From award-winning work like the Stop-and-Go Inertial Profiler to research that reduces costs and improves safety, Baron shows how collaboration, clear communication and a willingness to challenge the status quo can drive lasting change.��

Resources Mentioned:

• Ұ����Ƶapp Earns State and National Awards for Roadway Safety Innovation��
• Caltrans Stop-and-Go Inertial Profiler Evaluation and Certification Support��
• Ұ����Ƶapp Careers��

Copyright Notice ©2025 Ұ����Ƶapp and affiliates. All rights reserved. Copyright in the whole and every part of this presentation belongs to Ұ����Ƶapp Technical Consultants LLC and its affiliates and may not be used, sold, distributed, transferred, copied, or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner or form or in or on any media without the prior written consent of Ұ����Ƶapp Technical Consultants LLC.

Recognized for partnering with Caltrans to modernize pavement testing and improve urban traffic safety��

AUSTIN, Texas, May 21, 2025 — Ұ����Ƶapp Technical Consultants (Ұ����Ƶapp), a leading provider of infrastructure and environmental solutions, has received state and national recognition for its work enhancing roadway safety through technology innovation. The firm received a 2025 Engineering Excellence Honor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of California and a National Recognition Award from ACEC for its partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

The awards recognized Ұ����Ƶapp’ role in helping Caltrans update the method for testing pavement smoothness, particularly in busy urban areas. The project introduced Stop-and-Go Inertial Profilers (IPs), a new technology that collects pavement data at low speeds without shutting down traffic lanes, making testing safer, faster and more efficient.

Ұ����Ƶapp was selected to lead field testing under simulated urban conditions and worked alongside Caltrans, the Federal Highway Administration and industry stakeholders to update the state’s certification standards (California Test Method CT 387).

“This project reflects the strength of our collaboration with Caltrans and the expertise of our technical teams,” said Ұ����Ƶapp CEO Jacque Hinman. “Together, we advanced a solution that improves public safety and sets a new benchmark for profiling technology across California.”

Caltrans has since implemented the updated CT 387 across all 12 districts, certifying both Stop-and-Go and conventional IPs. The improvement is already delivering results including reduced traffic disruptions, improved worker safety and lowered testing costs.

The ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) celebrate top engineering achievements that advance the profession and benefit society. Winners were recognized at the national EEA Gala in Washington, D.C., on May 20, 2025.

About Ұ����Ƶapp Technical Consultants:

Ұ����Ƶapp provides professional testing, inspection, engineering, consulting and quality management services from more than 100 locations nationwide. With a talent base of 3,600 and $685 million in revenue, we deliver infrastructure and environmental solutions to public- and private-sector clients. To learn more about Ұ����Ƶapp visit�� and follow us on�� |�� |��

Media Contacts:

Lori Irvine
Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications
lori.irvine@oneatlas.com

The Association of Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), a leading global corrosion and coatings community, recently assembled a group of experts to revamp the internationally recognized Basic Coating Inspector and Certified Coating Inspector requirements.

AMPP gathered nine forward-thinking professionals — with strong backgrounds in coating inspection, coating systems specification, and failure analysis — to design two new course curriculums and exam questions.

One of the invitees was Principal Engineer, Jay Dorst.

“We reviewed and developed the blueprint for the material that will be included in the certification exams for candidates wishing to obtain certification as coating inspectors,” Jay said.

But they first had to weigh what factors were more important than others. That is, what exactly are the differences between level-one basic and level-two certified?

“Our goal was to categorize and determine the areas of emphasis that a coating inspector, at various certification levels, should be able to answer. The scope of knowledge and the level of expertise of a Basic Coating Inspector and a Certified Coating Inspector was established during our workshop.”

It was a four-day affair, and Jay’s seat on the panel means Ұ����Ƶapp currently represents 10% of the global experts who set the industry standard.

Well done, Jay.