Aeparmia Engineering has been providing professional engineering services in Texas since it was established in 2017, the following are some of the projects our team worked on, additional projects can be provided upon request. Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about our team and services.
For this project, we tackled the relocation of approximately 5,000 feet of telecommunications duct banks and approximately 4,000 feet of electrical duct banks within TxDOT Right-of-Way (ROW). This unique project is a design-build project delivery approach.
Our Scope
Our tasks included creating comprehensive plans and profile construction engineering drawings for underground dry utility relocations by open cut, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) bore, and conventional bores under I35 and 410 in San Antonio, Texas. Additionally, we were tasked to provide a 3D model for the duct banks.
Obstacles and Solutions
Our team, known for their dedication and teamwork, maintained open communication with the design Team on weekly basis to guarantee project success. We provided weekly status updates to the client, and documentation, and undertook additional work when necessary to ensure conflict-free designs.
The task delivery for this project spanned 9 months from inception to final, signed deliverable, with several challenges encountered along the way. Each utility owner required their own dedicated plan set, necessitating multiple plans, even for joint trenches as well as creating a 3D model for each alignment, this was a constraint that was added to the production resources. Additionally, during design we encountered space constraints for conventional bores, with the need to bore under a highway while maintaining a minimum 10-foot distance from piers and crossing a railroad perpendicularly. Existing transmission poles further complicated matters, requiring a 40-foot clearance that presented further available space challenges. To overcome these obstacles, we developed creative and innovative resources and scheduling solutions utilizing top notch project management methods, that helped us manage the workload within the restrictive timeline. We also came up with design solutions for construction space constraints, proposed both permanent and temporary construction easements, and considered traffic control measures to maintain traffic flow during construction. These solutions ensured the successful delivery of the project within the designated timeline.
Despite tight schedules and budgets, Aeparmia surpassed expectations by resolving challenges in a timely manner and delivering quality construction documents.
We were selected as a qualified engineering firm to provide agile and reliable On-Call Engineering Services catering to the intricate traffic control plans (TCPs) required for utilities excavation, manhole access, and aerial attachments in the bustling urban landscape of Austin and its surroundings, including high-traffic downtown areas.
Our work involves the preparation of detailed engineering traffic control plans that include on-site visits, review of local jurisdictions requirements, and MUTCD standards aimed at securing approved plans essential for submitting permit applications.
Our scope
Services tailored specifically for the preparation of Engineered Traffic Control Plans signed and sealed by a licensed professional Engineer in Texas. These services are typically on-call and long term contractual agreements with utilities.
Obstacles and Solutions
Upon receiving the requests, we were able to expedite deliverables as it was a Client need, we accomplished that by producing over 2 TCPs a week and achieving permit approvals without comments. This fast-paced, fast-track approach characterizes our workflow. Our TCPs often garner initial approval with minimal or no comments. If there is any feedback from reviewers, it is promptly addressed. We leverage this feedback to enhance our future site strategies, ensuring our templates are always up-to-date with the latest standards and regulations.
Our team utilizes a proprietary digital tracker and assigns a dedicated project coordinator to manage the intricacies of coordination, ensuring timely submission of quality TCPs that frequently pass initial review. We navigate the challenges of working in heavily congested downtown areas with ongoing construction projects, ensuring our TCPs comprehensively encompass all existing temporary and permanent traffic control signage within several blocks of each site.
Due to our consistent delivery of high-quality work, swift turnaround times, endorsement of approved TCPs, and client satisfaction, we maintain our partnership through continuous purchase order renewals since 2022.
For this project, we tackled the relocation of approximately 4,000 feet of fiber within TxDOT Right-of-Way (ROW) and approximately 1,000 feet of 30-inch Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) bore under a river.
Our Scope
Our tasks included creating comprehensive construction engineering drawings for a dry utility relocation. We conducted surveys, and manhole mapping, and delivered technical specifications and cost estimates. The scope also included services during the construction phase.
Obstacles and Solutions
Our team, known for their dedication and teamwork, maintained open communication with the TxDOT Team to guarantee project success. We provided weekly status updates to Utilities, meeting minutes, and documentation, and undertook additional work when necessary to ensure conflict-free designs.
For example, we conducted thorough investigations to verify and locate manholes not recorded in the provided as-builts, resolving connectivity issues for dry utilities. Additionally, designing a 30-inch HDD bore under a river presented a unique challenge, requiring extensive research. Despite tight schedules and budgets, Aeparmia surpassed expectations by resolving file discrepancies and liaising with contractors to obtain crucial information for relocation design.
For this project, we undertook the challenge of widening a 1.6-mile roadway within Travis County right-of-way (R.O.W.), necessitating meticulous utility coordination with power, water, telecommunications, and more.
Our scope
Our scope included a thorough review of existing surveys, one-call record requests, development of existing utility plans, and the creation of a Utility Conflict Matrix (UCM) and UC Exhibits. We conducted a comprehensive conflict analysis and worked collaboratively with various utilities, managing relocation logistics, budgets, agreements, and coordinating construction scheduling.
Obstacles and Solutions
Aeparmia seamlessly delivered a utility conflict matrix and utility conflict exhibits, receiving no comments from either the client or the jurisdiction. Our team turned around this project in less than two weeks, despite challenges such as outdated records and missing information.
Leveraging all available data, we successfully identified utility conflicts and provided coordination exhibits by thoroughly reviewing existing survey information and records.
Furthermore, we actively participated in a public meeting, recognizing the importance of engaging property owners and addressing their concerns while aligning with the project’s objectives and timeline.
Aeparmia demonstrated proactive engagement by collaborating and regularly meeting with utilities during the early design stages, allowing them ample time to provide input and prepare for necessary relocations. This proactive approach ensures smoother project progression and facilitates efficient utility management throughout the construction phase.
We provide agile and reliable On-Call Engineering Services catering to the intricate traffic control plans (TCPs) required for utilities excavation, manhole access, and aerial attachments in the bustling urban landscape of Austin and its surroundings, including high-traffic downtown areas.
Our work involves the preparation of detailed engineering traffic control plans that include on-site visits, review of local jurisdictions requirements, and MUTCD standards aimed at securing approved plans essential for submitting permit applications.
Our scope
Services tailored specifically for the preparation of Engineered Traffic Control Plans signed and sealed by a licensed professional Engineer in Texas, as well as the handling of permitting processes. These services are typically on-call and long term contractual agreements with the utility.
Obstacles and Solutions
Upon receiving a request, we were able to adhere to a strict 3-day timeline encompassing field visits, design formulation, and permit acquisition, which is typically completed within 10 days.
This fast-paced, fast-track approach characterizes our workflow. Our TCPs often garner initial approval with minimal or no comments. If there is any feedback from reviewers, it is promptly addressed. We leverage this feedback to enhance our future site strategies, ensuring our templates are always up-to-date with the latest standards and regulations.
Our team utilizes a proprietary digital tracker and assigns a dedicated project coordinator to manage the intricacies of coordination, ensuring timely submission of quality TCPs that frequently pass initial review. We navigate the challenges of working in heavily congested downtown areas with ongoing construction projects, ensuring our TCPs comprehensively encompass all existing temporary and permanent traffic control signage within several blocks of each site.
Due to our consistent delivery of high-quality work, swift turnaround times, endorsement of approved TCPs, and client satisfaction, we maintain our partnership through continuous purchase order renewals.
Aeparmia was selected as the most qualified consultant to provide wireless and wireline pole attachment program management for Lubbock Power & Light (LP&L).
Our scope
The scope included a review and revision of LP&L’s License Agreements to ensure compliance with the current local, state, and federal requirements. We also performed a review and revision of LP&L’s pole attachments Installation Standards, developed Application forms, templates, and checklists, and digitized the process on the website. The Application Review process involves coordination with Licensees and Applicants, Field Review for Feasibility, meeting Applicant on site, Completeness Check of Application, Formal Application Review of Site Plan and Pole Loading Analysis (PLA), Electric Make-Ready Construction Inspections and Post-Construction Inspections, and Invoicing and Billing Applicants. Our program management plan includes communication and coordination directly with Applicants and Licensees as well as the City of Lubbock to ensure a streamlined process is in place. We also provide a notifications process for pole attachment transfers, provide bi-weekly updates and status reports to our client and applicants. We provide high quality professional services and make decisions and recommendations in the best interest of the Utility and the general public.
Obstacles and Solutions
Aeparmia delivered Installation Agreement revisions, Installation Standards, AutoCAD Site Plan Template, Application Forms, Checklists, and Website Draft. We completed all deliverables and the work was performed on schedule within three months. This included coordination with the City of Lubbock to ensure that a streamlined permit process was finalized to meet LP&L’s desires and needs and complements with the City of Lubbock’s Right of Way permit process. We coordinated with manufacturers to work on a streetlight pole standard that would work for both LP&L, City of Lubbock, and the Licensees as part of LP&L’s Wireless Installation Standards. We utilize project management software for reporting, budgeting, and invoicing, and to track applications and assignment of tasks to our Team.
Aeparmia has been the consultant for these services since 2019.
This project entailed the route study, design, and permitting of approximately 28,000 feet of 6-inch conduit, coordinated through TXDOT, the City of Leander, and Williamson County. The design-build nature of the project required swift execution within a challenging schedule to have it designed and completed in time for construction during the summer when the school’s demand is low.
Our scope
The Aeparmia team was responsible for preparing the project scope, handling contract negotiations, and developing a detailed work plan. The team created a critical path schedule, broke down tasks, and implemented comprehensive risk mitigation strategies to ensure the project’s success. Additionally, the team oversaw quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) processes while recruiting, training and managing the necessary resources. The in-house team completed the survey, design, and permitting of the conduit plans within an accelerated 3-month timeframe.
Obstacles and Solutions
In addition to the core responsibilities, the team provided valuable support to the contractor by facilitating public notices and organizing meetings with property owners, homeowner associations (HOAs), and key stakeholders such as PEC. We managed the documentation for easement acquisitions and ensured access to secure facilities for construction. Through the efficient management of both the technical and logistical aspects, the project was delivered on time, despite the challenges posed by the tight schedule and complex permitting requirements.
Provide Engineering Services as a sub-consultant on a Water Main Dead-end Relocation Project they were selected for by San Antonio Water System (SAWS). Aeparmia prepared the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) for this project.
This project is relevant because we worked on over 13 water main sections in the south central area of San Antonio. We have performed records research, coordinated with various San Antonio departments, facilitated meetings by developing agenda and minutes, we performed field investigations, field photographs reports, utilities locates and coordination especially with oil refineries, pavement index, properties ownerships and records, soil reports, cost estimates, and development of a detailed report with appendix attachments. We are familiar with the process for requesting records, reviewing received data from private companies and jurisdictions. We performed field visit investigations, field data collection and analysis on existing conditions including R.O.W., easements, property ownership, and Zoning. Our deliverable was a detailed preliminary engineering report that provided recommendations for eliminating water main dead-ends to improve the water system.
The project area included various sites in southwest and southeast areas of San Antonio, and extending into Bexar county.
We coordinated with the City of San Antonio, Historic Division, TXDOT, and Bexar County, as well as CPS Energy.
We are very familiar with the local private and public utilities including oil and gas refinery companies. We are very familiar with the local, county and state jurisdictions requirements and standards in the area.
Obstacles and Solutions
As-builts and records were unavailable or not legible. We used our experience and coordination skills to assess existing conditions and provide recommendations for survey and design.
The Aeparmia team was selected by the developer to provide comprehensive dry utilities consulting services, which includes the development of over 1,500 residential units and an amenity center, divided into 10 phases. Aeparmia’s responsibilities include overseeing a team that conducts records research, surveying, planning, coordination, design, and permitting of utilities.
The team has successfully completed the design for offsite electrical design and permitting, phase 1 of dry utilities, and is currently finalizing phase 2 permitting process. The team provides regular updates to the client, holds regular meetings with utilities and other project stakeholders, and performs quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) on all deliverables to ensure the highest standard of work.
This ongoing project reflects Aeparmia’s team in managing complex, multi-phase development efforts while maintaining consistent communication and technical oversight.
The Aeparmia team was selected to perform subsurface utility engineering services (SUE) level C & D to evaluate tunneling in a project area located downtown Austin, The area boundary is from Trinity St to I35 and from 6th St to Cesar Chavez, which included approximately 20 intersections.
The team was tasked in requesting utilities records, reviewing available records, visiting the site and preparing AutoCAD file to include all utilities in 2D and providing elevations for specific locations. The deliverable included the records collected, the CAD file with the utilities drawn per COA standards, and a report summarizing the findings. This comprehensive work for this complex and congested area was completed on time within only 3 months.
We were selected to provide engineering services for two subdivisions to overlay fiber lines to serve lots, approximately 300 units each, and 29,000 ft of cable run. This is located in the City of Austin which requires PE stamped construction drawings and permits. The client also requires submitting prints, reporting and work order in their proprietary systems.
Though the subdivision is older with minimal available records of existing facilities, we were able to identify most of the facilities using our expertise in analysis, public records research, performing field walks and existing facilities verifications as well as determine property ownerships and existing public utility easements. We also performed fiber count capacity calculations, constructability analysis, determination of conduits size, method of construction, pedestals, and manholes, determined splicing locations, and developed construction drawings for permitting jurisdiction as well carrier proprietary software prints, which requires our trained GIS specialists to work on.
We were selected to provide engineering services as a sub-consultant, where we provide SUE services, QA/QC, permitting support and Traffic Control Plans. We have been assigned several projects to work on related to our scope of services. We provide bi-weekly updates on all of our active projects, bring up issues to resolve quickly, provide quick accurate proposal, and assist our prime with various questions related to our scope. Some of these projects include:
SUE Level C & D services for Substation Improvement Projects
Permitting services with various entities including the railroad
Traffic Control Plans for local and state jurisdictions
We were selected to provide engineering services as a prime consultant, where we provide SUE services, QA/QC, communications engineering, design and permitting services. We have been assigned several projects to work on related to our scope of services. We provide bi-weekly updates on all of our active projects, bring up issues to resolve quickly, provide quick accurate proposals, and assist the client with various questions related to our scope. Some of these projects include:
Aeparmia provided engineering and permitting services for several project sites in the Austin Jurisdictions. The scope of work included Surveying and utility locates; Data collections, jurisdiction requirements research and records research; Utilities coordination and conflict analysis; Utilities design and construction drawings for power and fiber routes per COA Utilities Criteria Manual (UCM), Transportation Criteria Manual (TCM), and Code of Ordinances, complying with TX SB 1004, Ch 284, Sec 284.003; Structural analysis ; Permitting services; and Bidding phase and construction phase services such as RFIs.
In one case, the small cell’s original location was discussed with the City in 2018, and an optimal solution was provided to install a stand-alone pole which was approved and permitted. The permit was revoked due to TX S.B. No. 1004, Sec. 284.104 (a) (1), and City requested to resubmit the design for this site, therefore, we went back to the original location because the RF Engineer is limited to a particular distance for the same site ID. Due to heavy trees we are unable to relocate to the nearest or adjacent lot line to the North of our current site, we were rejected for placing a new node, thus we are unable to relocate this pole reasonably as we can’t place it in front of a property. In order to use the original site location, we would need to replace the pole and install small cell equipment on it. The constraints are the close proximity to the driveway, close proximity to a palm tree, and close proximity to existing water meter. The solution for these constraints was to remove the Palm Tree, install a new pole right next to existing where would still be clear from the driveway, transfer all wire attachments to it, place the required power utility’s pull box. The remaining issue is the clearance from existing water meter, which is being resolved by coordinating with carriers and water department. Aeparmia’s engineer developed alternate solutions and recommendations for the Utility to review. Aeparmia’s focus is working with the involved parties to resolve the issue in a timely manner, bringing in the civil engineering experiences to solve infrastructure problems that carriers weren’t aware of, nor anticipated. The lesson learned through this case is that if Carriers provided feasible sites and avoided sites with conflicts, then the design and permitting processes run smoother and faster, thus we believe that feasibility phase is critical for the success of the small cell application process.
Provide Engineering Services for Austin Energy pole attachment applications, as well as R.O.W permitting for JC Communications, a construction contractor selected by Greater Austin Area Telecommunications Network (GAATN).
The Aeparmia team developed a work plan for over 300 poles being proposed for overlashing. The project was divided to five (5) segments. Aeparmia facilitated meeting with JC Communications and presented the overall project and submission plan to Austin Energy (AE) for their feedback. We dedicated two field crews for pole mapping, and two full time designers to complete the applications. We are tasked for the field data collection, O-Calc Pole Loading Analysis reports, identifying telecommunication tags, and completing AE application packages for each segment. Additionally, we are tasked for Traffic Control Plans and R.O.W permitting. The construction was successfully completed on time.
The challenges we have faced with this project include picking up information on older poles that are not up to regulation and encountering shrubbery that blocks the ability to pick up all necessary field data. We solved this issue using our prior experience with safe field processes with pole mapping, utilizing field tools such as Hasting Sticks, and investigating attachment owners on poles. This project included program management and tracking of over 300 poles. The Aeparmia Team tackled this with standard naming conventions, documentation processes, proprietary digital trackers, and QA/QC of field data collection on each application as well as a weekly update meeting. Team members are assigned tasks and we simultaneously pick up field data and fill out applications as well as perform pole loading analysis in order to provide quality submittals and stay on schedule and budget.