By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Climate Change and Construction

With global temperatures, sea levels, and extreme weather events on the rise, climate change remains a topical and, more recently, contentious subject.

What does climate change have to do with the construction industry? When there is already an incredibly small margin for error on a construction site, climate change could mean everything.

Safety is the leading concern of the construction industry when it comes to climate change. Adverse weather conditions like excessive rain, snow, wind, heat, or cold can significantly reduce safe working conditions. The result? Severe injuries from slips, falls, electrocution, heat exhaustion, and more.

While worksite safety can be entirely compromised by changes in climate, so too can building materials. As temperatures rise, the integrity of materials like wood and concrete are put at risk. Not only that, but climate change increases the need for new, innovative, and potentially costly building techniques to protect existing infrastructure from severe weather conditions.

Along with the physical constraints of climate change on the construction industry, there is also the possibility for monetary setbacks. According to Construction Business Owner, economists estimate that weather-related incidents cost the construction industry “$3.8 trillion a year in the United States.” With U.S. infrastructure spending already at a tremendous deficit, $3.8 trillion lost in profits only serves as an additional obstruction.

Rather than ascribe weather-related construction risks—such as worksite safety, deterioration of building materials, and profit loss—to an inevitable force majeure, experts suggest proactive implementation of risk management strategies.

Construction insurance, increased employee awareness, and acceptance of unpredictability may be the only ways to work through construction setbacks resulting from climate change.

By Evan Thomas COMPANY NEWSLETTERS • • • • • • • 0 Comments

June 2018 Company Newsletter

This June, we speak with Mayor Alexander of the Village of Wappingers Falls to discuss ten years of infrastructure revitalization. An employee interview, interesting statistics, and a host of other features within.

Download KC’s Company Newsletter – June 2018 edition to keep up with KC’s latest news!

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • 0 Comments

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.

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • 0 Comments

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.

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • 0 Comments

Infrastructure Week Day 4: Wastewater

Tri-Municipal Sewer Commission Surface Aeration Basin Replacement

Wastewater is the dirty little secret no one likes to talk about. Nevertheless, managing our nation's wastewater is of the utmost importance.

No infrastructure plan is complete without wastewater management. It can impact the health of residents, strengthen or weaken the appeal of a locality, and affect the environment.

As the nation’s population continues to grow, wastewater management has become increasingly crucial. Over the next 20 years, the U.S. is expected to gain more than 56 million wastewater treatment system users. This indicates the need for wastewater infrastructure improvements.

About 14,748 wastewater treatment plants currently serve nearly 240 million Americans, or 76% of the U.S. population. In its current state, our wastewater infrastructure suffers from 23,000 to 75,000 sanitary sewer overflow events every year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These facts demonstrate the need for increased wastewater infrastructure funding.

At KC Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. (KC), our wastewater treatment group has designed, constructed, and helped to operate over 70 facilities. We work with government, industrial, and private clients to meet a full range of wastewater related needs. We approach each project with innovative and creative expertise to deliver comprehensive engineering services that solve the most intricate wastewater challenges from concept through design, construction, and operation.

With projects like the Tri-Municipal Sewer Commission Compost Permit Renewal, Wallkill Raw Sewage Pump Replacement, and Wappingers Falls Sanitary Sewer Pipe TV Inspections, KC has helped to increase capacity and improve the performance of existing treatment facilities. KC strives to meet strict water discharge policies, conserve energy, and reduce environmental impact.