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Holiday Summer Homes Project

The Holiday Homes Project in Hopewell Junction involves an electrical service connection design necessary for a new water treatment facility, including provisions for a backup generator system for use during emergency events.

The existing water treatment facility is an underground vault providing treatment and power the existing wells. Due to additional demand and storage requirements, an upgrade to the facility is needed. A new building is being constructed and a new electric service is being provided to that facility.

Electric service was sized and designed for future loading, with timers for automatic functionality. The generator was sized to provide only the required electrical loading needed for the water system, therefore minimizing the backup electrical system cost. The generator will be initialized by an automatic transfer switch to provide operator-free startup during power outages. Thermal calculations were also performed to size the electric heater without over sizing and increasing the emergency electrical loading.

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International Women in Engineering Day

This Saturday, June 23rd, will mark the second International Women in Engineering Day (INWED). Initially, popularity and enthusiasm for the day expanded the celebration from its concentrated UK origins to become a worldwide event.

Originally launched in 2014 by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), Women in Engineering Day sought to recognize and celebrate the presence and importance of women in engineering. INWED’s website calls the day “an accessible and inspiring way for companies, institutions, organizations, schools, universities, and individuals to raise the profile of women in STEM and related sectors, showcase a commitment to diversity, and inspire future generations by organizing their own events and activities.”

WES’ own mission, to be active supporters of women, collaborators with a number of government agencies and policy makers, and challengers of stagnant cultures, merges into the yearly celebration of INWED.

This year’s theme, #RaisingTheBar, will focus on encouraging all supporting groups to organize events in support of INWED. Some examples on how to get involved, according to the campaign website, include becoming a STEM ambassador; hosting a networking, mentoring, careers, or social event; joining WES as a corporate partner; and/or promoting this year’s theme with the #RaisingTheBar hashtag.

For more information about International Women in Engineering Day and how you or your organization can participate, visit www.inwed.org.uk.

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A Look at Some of the Different Types of Land Surveys

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know that not all survey services are alike? There are several different kinds of surveys and they each serve a specific purpose. The following list is by no means comprehensive, but it outlines some of the most common types of surveys that can be conducted:

ALTA / ACSM Survey

This type of survey is typically conducted for use in the buying and selling of real estate. ALTA / ACSM stands for American Land Title Association / American Congress on Surveying and Mapping. It is one of the most detailed types of surveys and includes all of the physical features and characteristics of the land being surveyed.

Boundary Survey

Just like it sounds, a boundary survey is utilized to determine property lines. To do this, surveyors may need to conduct research on the history of a property and find paperwork and deeds associated with the property, in addition to performing a physical survey.

Construction Staking

This type of survey is used to interpret engineering design plans in preparation for building a structure.

Location Survey

A location survey is similar to a boundary survey, but this type of survey involves marking out all additions or improvements made to a property. This helps to determine that all local zoning laws and property boundaries have been adhered to.

Right-of-Way Survey

Right-of-Way (ROW) surveys help property and utility owners to determine the access rights and access points on a particular property.

Topographic Survey

Topographic surveys are used to identify and map the existing features on the surface of the earth, including contours, utilities, and other physical features (ditches, roads, water, etc.).

There are many different types of surveys and it is important to know the difference in order to determine which type of survey may be needed for different applications.

KC Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. is a full-service engineering and land surveying firm that offers all of these surveying services and much more.

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Estrada Road Hotel Project

In December 2014, AEONN, LLC proposed an 85-room hotel located on an 11.1-acre site at 100 Estrada Road in the Village of Woodbury. KC is preparing the site plan and all associated documents and studies for the proposed hotel.

In January 2016, the Planning Board made a negative SEQRA determination, and a public hearing on the revised site plan was conducted for the project.

The lot is situated on the south side of Estrada Road and borders the west side of the NYS Thruway (I-87). While Estrada Road is not a county road and is not maintained by the NYSDOT as a component of the state highway system, it was designed and constructed by the NYSDOT as a state highway and was eventually designated U.S. Route 6 and operated as part of the state highway system until 1972.

KC prepared a Long Form EAF for the project including Parts 1 and 2. As part of the preparation of Part 3 with the Planning Board, KC prepared several supplemental studies. A habitat assessment was performed and provided to NYSDEC to confirm that, although the site was generally within areas of known habitats, no endangered species habitats were present. Wetlands were flagged and located on-site. A traffic study and pedestrian study were also performed for the project, to complete SEQRA and to satisfy public concerns.

The proposed hotel at 100 Estrada Road is a less intensive land use than many of the uses permitted in the Village IB zoning district. The proposed hotel will not alter community character as it is fully consistent with the Village comprehensive plan and will not have a significant negative impact on Estrada Road.

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Infrastructure Week Day 5: Roads

Village of Wappingers Falls Utility Contract 1

In the U.S., roads are an unavoidable part of our everyday lives. We use roadways daily to travel to and from work, school, social engagements, and more. So how do we deal with the issue of America’s crumbling roadway infrastructure?

As the years go by, American metropolitan areas are stymied by traffic congestion.

According to a recent report, in 2014, Americans spent 6.9 billion hours sitting in traffic. That’s a total of 42 hours per driver! Meanwhile, suburban and more rural areas are forced to contend with deteriorating road conditions, as well as outdated and dangerous traffic configurations.

At KC Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. (KC), maintaining and upgrading our roads remains an important priority. Our civil engineers are skilled in parking lot and roadway design, and along with our traffic engineers they can effectively and efficiently plan, design, and oversee the construction of intersection improvements, parking facilities, maintenance and protection of traffic plans, highways, utility relocations, site lighting, driveways and other roadways, curbs, and sidewalks so that the outcomes not only provide for smooth transitions but also for economically functional results.

With projects like Cross Westchester Expressway (I-287) Exit 8E Reconstruction, 5th Avenue Reconstruction, DeLavergne Avenue Reconstruction, and Milling and Resurfacing of Federal Aid Roads, KC strives to maintain the safety and commutability of area roads, because at KC we recognize the vital importance of roadway infrastructure.