The Lowe Down

Isolated Intersections Signal Upgrade, Atlanta, GA

This task order was for the design of traffic signal upgrade plans and development of signal timing plans for fourteen (14) isolated urban intersections throughout the city.  The project included a traffic study to analyze existing conditions, determine left turn phasing warrants, and make recommendations for improvements.  The improvements at each intersection included the upgrade of signal layout and equipment, design of radar vehicle and bike detection, optimization of phasing, improved and additional pedestrian signals and phases, and the upgrading of pavement marking and signage.  Three of the intersection involve GDOT coordination and revised signal permits, including one which also requires railroad coordination.  The intersections are located at Hamilton Holmes Drive @ Burton Road, Lee Street @ White Oak Avenue, Memorial Drive @ Maynard Terrace, Fairview Road @ Oakdale Road, Habersham Road @ West Wesley Road, Hollywood Road @ Johnson Road, Howell Mill Road @ Peachtree Battle Avenue, Lakewood Avenue @ Macon Drive, Luckie Street @ Pine Street, Marietta Road @ Perry Boulevard, Marietta Street @ Foundry Street, Marietta Street @ Andrew Young International Boulevard, Northside Drive @ Moores Mill Road, Pryor Road @ Fair Drive.

Intersection Traffic Studies, Forsyth County, GA

Lowe Engineers is working closely with Forsyth County as part of the American Engineers engineering on-call contract to analyze and recommend improvements for multiple intersections across the county. The latest contract included four intersections which includes two intersections located on county-maintained roads, and two intersections on SR 9. As part of the studies a detailed analysis is conducted including intersection capacity analysis, crash history analysis, traffic forecasting, and alternatives analysis. Recommendations for improvements are made based on the current and future needs of the development with cost effectiveness of the improvements being strongly considered.

Gwinnett Exchange DRI, Gwinnett County, GA

Lowe Engineers has been performing a Development of Regional Impact for Gwinnett Exchange (GRTA DRI#2834).  The Gwinnett Exchange (GRTA DRI #2834) is a 64-acre mixed-use site currently under development in Gwinnett County, GA. The development is anticipated to generate about 20,000 daily trips to the surrounding area. The scope of the study included thirteen intersections to be analyzed for impacts, and mitigation from signal timing improvements, geometric improvements, and traffic signal warrant analysis. Lowe Engineers performed all traffic impact related tasks including trip generation, internal capture, tip distribution, signal warrant analysis, intersection and segment capacity analysis, signal design, and intersection design.

Design Engineer

Please, no drop-ins or calls

The responsibilities of this position include the design and preparation of construction documents for minor and major roadway, sidewalk, shoulder improvements, and drainage design projects.  Duties include assisting a project manager and/or Senior Engineer with tasks associated with plan preparation, cost estimates, report writing, client coordination and permitting.  The position requires strong communication skills due the amount of collaboration involved with the team as well as outside agencies, client interaction, etc.  The position will be a full-time salary position.  Candidates must be willing to work reasonable overtime to meet project demands, when necessary.

A Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering or Civil Engineering Technology is required.  EIT registration is required as a minimum.  Experience must include a minimum of 2 years of transportation design related experience.  Construction experience is optional, but considered a plus if achieved in addition to direct design experience.   Software design experience should include working with Microstation V8i and Inroads.  Autocad and other additional cad platforms will be beneficial, but not required.  Related experience should consist of working directly with GDOT and the Plan Development Process, GDOT collaborative projects with local counties or municipalities, and other local projects utilizing GDOT standards and specifications. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Project Engineer

Please, no drop-ins or calls

The responsibilities of this position include the design and preparation of construction documents for minor and major roadway, sidewalk, shoulder improvements, and drainage design projects.  Duties include assisting a project manager with tasks associated with plan preparation, cost estimates, report writing, client coordination and permitting.  The position requires strong communication skills due the amount of collaboration involved with the team as well as the occasional need for communication with outside agencies, client interaction, etc.  The position will be a full-time salary position.  Candidates must be willing to work reasonable overtime to meet project demands, when necessary.

A BS in Civil Engineering or Civil Engineering Technology is required.  EIT registration is required as a minimum.  Experience must include 5-7 years of transportation design related experience.  Construction experience is optional, but considered a plus if achieved in addition to direct design experience.   Software design experience should include working with Microstation V8i and Inroads.  Autocad and other additional cad platforms will be beneficial, but not required.  Related experience should consist of working directly with GDOT and the Plan Development Process, GDOT collaborative projects with local counties or municipalities, and other local projects utilizing GDOT standards and specifications. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Georgia World Congress Center Contiguous Exhibition Facility, Atlanta GA

Lowe Engineers is currently responsible for Civil Engineering and Surveying including site layout evaluation, site grading, onsite utilities, boundary and topographic surveys, asbuilt, and 3D scanning for this Georgia World Congress Center project that includes a Contiguous Exhibition Facility addition located between GWCC Buildings B and C. The new approximately 100,200 square foot exhibit facility will join Hall B and Hall C, resulting in over 1,100,00 square feet of contiguous hall. Additionally, a new loading area consisting of 10 docks along the north wall of Hall C4 will compensate for the loss of loading specs.

Mercedes Benz USA Headquarters, Sandy Springs, Georgia

The Mercedes-Benz USA Headquarters is a 12 acres site consisting of a 205,000 ft 2 office building, parking structure, day care center for their employees, and surface parking. An onsite wet pond was designed for the stormwater management and water quality treatment. Silva Cells, which are underground tree planters for urban water quality treatment, were also used. Right-of-way improvements were designed for Abernathy Road and Barfield Road including turn lanes, multiuse pedestrian paths, lighting, and connecting complex existing storm sewer conditions. This site development required in-depth coordination with adjacent proposed developments throughout the design stage. This project was designed to LEED standards

Serta-Simmons Southeast Headquarters – The Assembly Yards, Doraville, Georgia

Lowe Engineers was responsible for Civil Engineering and Surveying including site layout evaluation, site grading, erosion and sediment control, retaining wall layout, water and sewer utility design, storm sewer design, boundary and topographic surveys, and construction administration services for this Urban Redevelopment of the former Doraville GM plant. The 5.45-acre, 70,000 sf showroom and development center site holds a 5-story office building, a 4-story parking structure, and an extensive showroom & development center. The site also includes three common area courtyards for employee enjoyment or company gatherings. The existing ground was largely concrete slabs from the former General Motors Plant.

This property is the first redevelopment construction site within The Assembly Yards and as such has encountered several surprises. Excavation during construction uncovered concrete piles, a storm sewer line, and high groundwater requiring dewatering. The design of the Serta-Simmons civil package was being done concurrently with The Assembly Yards infrastructure design. The site is surrounded by infrastructure roadways on all sides and maintains an urban feel with minimal building setbacks. Thus, close coordination between the plans and engineering firms were required during the design, local jurisdictional review, and construction.

Hood Avenue Improvements, Forest Park, Georgia

Lowe Engineers was retained by the Urban Redevelopment Agency for the City of Forest Park, this project involved design services for Hood Avenue as part of the redevelopment of the former Fort Gillem Army base. This $10 million project widened the existing two-lane to a four-lane divided section and also realigned a section of the corridor to facilitate a future development site. As part of the design, Lowe addressed several intersections within the project limits. Modifications and upgrades were made with Moreland Avenue (State Route 42) which involved heavy coordination with GDOT District 7. Numerous other intersections were also brought up to GDOT and AASHTO standards as part of the final design with dedicated turn lanes, pedestrian upgrades, and shoulder improvements. A new intersection was also created along with dedicated turn lanes and a full traffic signal design at the location of a new distribution center within the development.

Georgia Department of Transportation Districts 2 and 3 Bridge Replacement Batch

Lowe designed seven Bridge Replacement Projects, in district two and three, including six stream/river crossings and one railroad bridge. The firm provided surveys for the bridges which were constructed during the 1930’s and 1940’s and were now structurally deficient. For our personnel safety and in order to save GDOT time and money, our 3D Laser scanner was used to collect data at several locations. Certain sites included the design of temporary detours to maintain the existing traffic during construction and 4,000 feet of roadway improvements. Other sites included a complete re-alignment of the existing roadway to help aid the construction staging cause a lesser impact to residents and travelers. The total scope of work for all the projects included survey, concept development, preliminary plans development, final plans development, right of way plans, and final construction plans and documents.

State Route 20 Widening, Gwinnett County, Georgia

The Gwinnett Department of Transportation selected Lowe for the design of widening 1.0 mile of this arterial from an existing two-lane roadway to a 4-lane urban divided facility. The project limits for this widening stretch along State Route 20 in Gwinnett County and across the Chattahoochee River to the Forsyth County line. The Roadway Improvements will involve a slight re-alignment and widening the existing two lanes to increase the capacity for this busy commuter route between Gwinnett and Forsyth Counties. The new 4-lane divided facility will encompass a 44’ depressed median to allow future widening, if necessary. Additional improvements include the addition of sidewalks and replacement and widening of the existing bridge over the Chattahoochee River. A Bridge Hydraulics Study and Report were produced for the Final Bridge Design. The Lowe Engineers scope of work includes mapping, surveying, traffic analysis, concept design, bridge hydraulics report, preliminary plans development, final plans development, right of way plans and staking, and final construction plans and documents.

Atlanta West Parking Deck

Lowe is working on the team with Holder-Austin-Moody-Bryson JV for the building of this seven-level parking deck which will accommodate 5,200 to 6,000 vehicles and have walkway connection to the Georgia International Convention Center and the SkyTrain. Lowe is maintaining the horizontal and vertical control throughout construction, QA/QC of all concrete work, and layout as needed or requested.

Zoo Atlanta – Savanna Hall, African Savanna, and Grant Park Gateway Project

Lowe is working on the team with Winter Construction and maintaining horizonal and vertical control throughout construction, QA/QC of all other trade contractors, control and layout inside the Cyclorama building, and layout as needed and requested.

Icon Buckhead

Lowe is working on the team with Gilbane in transforming the intersection of Peachtree and Stratford Roads with the development of this 35-story tower. Lowe is providing all concrete layout, including edge of slab, elevator openings, stair openings, columns, embeds, and walls. Lowe is maintaining horizontal and vertical control throughout the 35 floors of construction and provided control line for MEP contractors to work from.

Dekalb County MS4 Inspections/Investigations

Lowe Engineers has been performing stormwater infrastructure inspections for DeKalb County in support of its MS4 permit activities at various locations in the County since 2005. Lowe is in the third year of this contract and has been inspecting approximately 17,000 structures and conveyances per year. Services include field visits, data collection, work order creation, and condition photos that are uploaded into the County System. To date we have inspected 34,273 structures including:

• 11,401 Catch Basins
• 17,788 Pipes
• 1,423 Detention Ponds
• 3257 Ditches
• 175 Headwalls
• 81 Retention Ponds
• 2 Drop Inlets
• 4 Junction Boxes
• 11 Pipe intersections
• 3 Manholes
• 128 Plain Pipe Ends
• 3 Lakes

Lowe is also doing infrastructure investigations for the County, by helping them determining location, ownership and maintenance of the storm water structures within the County limits.

City of Brookhaven Public Works, Brookhaven, GA

Lowe is currently executing the annual maintenance programs for the City of Brookhaven: Street Maintenance, Signal Maintenance, General Right of Way Maintenance, and Stormwater Maintenance. Additionally, we are executing the paving program, the sidewalk program, the intersection improvement program and special projects as funded. In addition, Lowe manages the maintenance/construction of city infrastructure, currently including

• over 120 miles of street,
• over 53 miles of sidewalks,
• over 4,600 street signs,
• 51 traffic signals and
• over 16,000 stormwater structures pipes.

Lowe also directs the annually accomplishment of over 800 street, signal, sign, sidewalk and stormwater repairs including over 25 emergency repairs, as well as maintains work order records, sets priorities and monitors progress.

City of Dunwoody Public Works, Dunwoody, Georgia

Since the City of Dunwoody was incorporated in 2008, Lowe has managed all engineering, design, planning capital projects and maintenance work for the City as part of a Public/Private Partnership. Varied in its nature, Lowe has performed several types of projects including:

• Pedestrian – Capital Sidewalk construction program management
• Developed Dunwoody’s Sidewalk Improvement Program which won a Golden Shoe award
• ADA retrofit program
• Bicycle – Bike/Pedestrian coordinator for the city, developed recreational bike routes
• Master Planning – Development of Park, Greenway and Transportation Plan
• Trails – Greenway feasibility study with Million Mile Greenway organization
• Secured recreational trails grant for trail rehabilitation in Brook Run Park
• Watershed – Manage Dunwoody Stormwater Utility
• Greenspace recommendations

Geospatial Analyst

Lowe Engineers is currently seeking to fill the position of Geospatial Analyst.

Qualified individuals must have a thorough knowledge of mapping concepts and techniques, as well as working with imagery and various geospatial data formats.  Must have 1-3 years direct experience performing feature collection utilizing aerial or satellite imagery.  Must have direct experience working with ArcGIS and Imagine software.  Ability to code and perform software customizations preferred. Direct experience working on various NGA product lines preferred.

Civil Engineer

Lowe Engineers is seeking a Civil Engineer to join our Atlanta, GA office. The Civil Engineer will work independently using his or her own discretion while working with the Project Manager in the development of concept plans. Performing engineering analysis and design, and producing final construction documents and specifications for a variety of public and private sector projects. The qualified candidate will work with a team of engineers, designers and surveyors to ensure client satisfaction and successful project completion.

Duties:

• Perform assignments using prescribed methods requiring application of standard engineering techniques, procedures and criteria
• Perform calculations and analysis using fundamental engineering formulas
• Design and layout of plans and details
• Adjust & correlate data, research code issues, design options and document findings
• Organize and maintain project files
• Prepare plans, special provisions and estimates
• Preparation of letter reports and project correspondence
• Coordinate with other engineering disciplines
• Communicate with (internal & external) others clearly and professionally in both technical and non-technical terms.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Preparation of proposals, project scope and budgeting
• Prepare Specifications as required to support CD’s

Qualifications:

Requires a BSCE degree and PE license or EI with the ability to obtain licensure within 1 year. Requires a minimum of 4 years experience. AUTOCAD,MicroStation, Hydroflow Hydrographs, Civil 3D & HEC-RAS modeling a plus. Experience with site development work and/or transportation design is strongly desired. Excellent communication skills are required. Position requires general knowledge of basic fundamental engineering principles including but not limited to surveying, geometrics, hydraulics, grading, CM, floodplain management and utility design.

Field Layout Engineer/Surveyor – Vertical Construction

Key Responsibilities for a Field Engineer:

• Sets up and maintains permanent control throughout the entire line and grade portion of the project.
• Validates accurate dimensions by reviewing the architectural and structural drawings prior to execution.
• Is able to identify any discrepancies in drawings prior to execution.
• Engages the project lead on the line and grade portion of the project to ensure proper scheduling and sequencing.
• Proficient with the use of advanced instruments and total station to perform an accurate layout.
• Is able to complete a layout in an accurate, efficient, and timely manner.
• Delivers layout information to the project team to ensure proper execution.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Microsoft programs, including Word, Excel, Outlook
• Must have excellent organizational and communication skills.
• 5+ years of experience in field engineering, surveying, and layout for a large scale Self-Perform GC or Concrete Contractor.
• Self-perform experience of concrete is required.
• Seeking someone with a variety of project types with emphasis on Commercial/Industrial.
• Knowledge of construction principles/practices required with experience on projects over 1 million dollars.
• Experienced with using advanced instruments and capable of using Total Station to perform layouts.

MS4 Stormwater Engineer

Lowe Engineers is seeking a MS4 Stormwater Engineer (4-20 years’ experience desired) to perform professional and technical civil engineering work in the design, permitting, construction and maintenance of public works facilities.  Come join our growing team of valued professionals.

Responsibilities:

• Develops MS4 Annual Reports and Stormwater Management Plans
• Facilitates Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Design Principles
• Works with GIS Department and Stormwater Inventories to perform analysis and satisfy permitting requirements.
• Prepares and Interprets NPDES and MS4 Permits
• Interpretation of water quality testing data
• Monitors, records, and implements municipal best management practices related to MS4 permitting
• Supervises and inspects minor construction and maintenance work on roadways, storm drains, sidewalks, or other public works projects
• Prepares designs for simple public works projects
• Inspects construction materials to see that they conform to specifications
• Respond to citizen’s questions and complaints concerning stormwater and erosion requests
• May be required to assist public works functions in a variety of technical and leadership capacities
• Required to assist municipalities with plan review of private and public projects

Required Skills

• Knowledge and expertise in the design of Stormwater engineering projects
• Principles and practices of engineering field and office procedures
• Methods, materials, tools and equipment used in engineering construction
• Read and interpret plans and specifications
• Learn and interpret NPDES and MS4 Permits
• Learn and interpret City ordinances and department policies pertaining to Public Works.
• Communicates effectively with Public and City Officials

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s Degree* in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Construction Engineering or closely related field and four to twenty (4-20) years of work experience, pre-or-post degree, which involved construction, surveying, design, traffic engineering, inspection, permitting or estimating. Engineer-in-training (EIT) certification required. PE License is preferred. General Knowledge of Public Works and Transportation Engineering is a plus.  Construction Management experience is a plus.  Experience with Green Infrastructure Design, Construction and Maintenance is a plus.  Design, Modeling, and GIS Software Experience is a plus.

Traffic

The responsibilities of this position include the design and preparation of construction documents for minor and major roadway, sidewalk, shoulder improvements, and drainage design projects. Duties include assisting a project manager with tasks associated with plan preparation, cost estimates, report writing, client coordination and permitting. The position requires strong communication skills due the amount of collaboration involved with the team as well as the occasional need for communication with outside agencies, client interaction, etc. The position will be a full-time salary position. Candidates must be willing to work reasonable overtime to meet project demands, when necessary.

A BS in Civil Engineering or Civil Engineering Technology is required. EIT registration is required as a minimum. Experience must include 5-7 years of transportation design/traffic related experience. Construction experience is optional, but considered a plus if achieved in addition to direct design experience. Software design experience should include working with Microstation V8i and Inroads. Autocad and other additional cad platforms will be beneficial, but not required. Related experience should consist of working directly with GDOT and the Plan Development Process, GDOT collaborative projects with local counties or municipalities, and other local projects utilizing GDOT standards and specifications.

Sally Riker, F.SAME

Sally Riker, F.SAME is a partner and Director of Marketing and Business Development. Sally is a graduate of the University of Georgia. With 20 years of experience in the architectural and engineering industry, Riker has significantly increased Lowe Engineers’ clientele since joining the firm in 2003. She is responsible for sales and marketing and the administration/ human resources for the firm.  In addition to working at Lowe Engineers, Sally also participates in many different non-profits, civic and educational organizations.  Sally is a Fellow in the Society of American Military Engineers and is an Elected Director on the National Board of Direction for SAME.   Additionally, Sally serves on the Advisory Board for Urban Land Institute Atlanta, Board of Directors for the Council for Quality Growth, SAME Savannah Post and is Co-Chair of the Women’s Leadership Initiative for ULI Atlanta.  Sally also was elected President of her greater neighborhood, the Mt. Paran Northside Citizens Association in Atlanta this year.  Among accolades, Riker has been named a top “40 under 40” from Georgia Trend, is a Regional Leadership Institute graduate, Center for Leadership -ULI graduate, Emerging Leaders graduate and has been selected for CREW Leadership 2018.   Sally currently lives in Atlanta with her husband and two small children.