News – Page 2 – nfe-engr.com

Construction is Completed on Orchard Lake Road Streetscape Project

West Bloomfield Township contracted with NFE and Land Design Studio to create an aesthetically pleasing streetscape for Orchard Lake Road, the gateway to their community. The improved area runs from the roundabout at 14 Mile Road to just north of Powers Road, including parts of Northwestern Highway at 14 Mile Road and covers 19 traffic islands.

The gateway on Orchard Lake Road near 14 Mile Road and Northwestern Highway features a 25-foot-tall metal sculpture depicting reeds as well as a monument sign that lights up at night and a landscaped earthen mound.

NFE provided land surveying, civil engineering and construction administration services while Land Design Studio was the project designer. Plans were produced through a team effort to meet all of the design considerations of West Bloomfield including the following:

Compatibility with Town Center District Design Standards
Legibility at 45 MPH
Maintaining clear sight lines to buildings and signage
Meet design standards of RCOC and MDOT
Long-term maintainability
Adaptability of plant material to various urban conditions (i.e., salt tolerance, pollution, poor soil conditions, etc.)
Maintaining a safe planting distance from existing and recently installed utilities

NFE had an inspector onsite during construction to oversee all concrete work and plantings.

The landscaping features a “triangle” gateway with an entry sign, custom lighting and artwork by local artist Scott Berels; a new irrigation system that includes sprinklers on automatic timers with a rain sensor unit; the planting of roughly 150 trees, plus thousands of shrubs, grasses and perennials; natural stone placed throughout areas; art panels design at Powers Road intersection; concrete plant bed edging; and concrete sidewalks for crosswalks.

*The streetscape covers 19 islands with trees, shrubs, grasses and perennial plantings to beautify each island*

Construction was completed on the streetscape in June 2020. The project beautifies the median for those driving, biking or walking as well as enhances and enlivens the business district to the west and east. NFE and Land Design Studio were proud to partner with West Bloomfield Township on such an important project for the community!

*Natural stone was placed throughout the streetscape and two art panel designs were placed on two island close to the Powers Road intersection.*

Clear for Landing – NFE Successfully Completes Roscommon Conservation Airport Runway Renovation

News / By quantumservices

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJHKNNLNmUQ&feature=youtu.be

In October 2019, Nowak & Fraus Engineers was awarded the contract for the design and construction administration of the Roscommon Conservation Airport Runway Renovation project by the Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB), on behalf of the DNR.

NFE began design work on the $1.3 million project in February 2020, however due to the impacts of COVID-19, the project faced a temporary delay. Despite that setback, the State of Michigan and NFE were able to see the project to completion, in the summer of 2021.

For this project, the NFE team provided topographic survey, geotechnical investigation, and construction documents, including civil and electrical design work. Preliminary engineering included data gathering, horizontal and vertical alignment adjustments and construction cost estimating. Final design included all runway grading and cross sections, lighting design and the final bid document package preparation.

Testing Engineers and Consultants, completed the geotechnical work and Matrix Engineering, completed the electrical design.

During the construction phase, NFE demonstrated its commitment to the environment and cost savings. NFE worked closely with the contractor to adjust paving cross sections and grading to make the best use of existing materials beneath the existing pavement. Not only did this allow for the recycling of materials, but it also provided a cost savings.

The original runway surface included approximately 2” of asphalt on sand. The revised NFE cross section provided for 4” of new asphalt on the recycled aggregate base. In addition, new FAA approved lighting was installed, and this system included a remote receiver to allow operation from the sky. This new section and lighting should allow for a long service life and provide options for servicing heavier aircraft in the future.

NFE adds this project to our long history of providing exceptional design and construction administration services, to the Michigan DNR.

Bruce Van Doorn Sr. Reaches a Milestone

News / By quantumservices

Friends and clients of the Nowak & Fraus Family, please join us in congratulating our valued employee, Bruce Van Doorn Sr., on his significant accomplishment achieving 50 years of service with the company. It is remarkable that any individual could achieve such a milestone. What is more impressive is that surveying is a physically demanding career. Over his years of service, it is estimated that Bruce has worked over 12,500 days, walked over 50,000 miles with 50+ lbs. of gear, put in over 1,000,000 stakes/points, swung a 4 lb. sledge hammer over 7,000,000 times and drove the company truck over 600,000 miles. When asked why at the age of 72 he keeps doing the work, Bruce stated: “I like surveying because it keeps me in shape and keeps my mind sharp!” He continues to survey and has no immediate plans to retire.

Bruce began his career at NFE on February 12, 1970; one year after NFE was established to provide civil engineering, land surveying and consulting services within the Southeast Michigan area. Over our history of operation, NFE has evolved into one of the premier engineering consulting firms in the region. This growth could not happen without the significant contributions from employees like Bruce. Reaching this milestone is a tremendous accomplishment and Bruce has long served as an example of health, dedication and commitment through his many years of service. He has served as the example of what it means to be a great surveyor and has been instrumental in training many of the surveyors in our Survey Department, including his son Bruce Jr. who reached his 25 years of service last year. Bruce continues to be a valued member of our NFE team, and his contributions are vital to the overall success of the company.

Thank you, Bruce, for your many years of service!!!

At a Glance: Recently Awarded Projects

News / By quantumservices

NFE is proud of the variety of projects we have had the opportunity to work on, and our portfolio continues to grow. We have recently been awarded the following projects:

City of Rochester Hills, Hamlin Road Reconstruction from Crooks Road to Adams Road, Rochester Hills, Michigan
City of Birmingham, South Old Woodward Avenue Reconstruction from Brown Street to E. Lincoln Street, Birmingham, Michigan
Lutheran Child and Family Services of Michigan, Wellspring Lutheran Services Phase I Infrastructure, Farmington Hills, Michigan
City of Pontiac, Orchard Lake Road Storm Drainage Investigation, Pontiac, Michigan
Squeaky Shine, LLC, New Squeaky Shine Car Wash, West Bloomfield, Michigan
City of Birmingham, Cranbrook Road Non-Motorized Pathway from 14 Mile Road to Midvale Street, Birmingham, Michigan
Prince Realty, True North Phase II Survey, Detroit, Michigan
Bowers & Associates, New AvFlight Hangers at Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, Michigan
Hobbs + Black Architects, New Walker Yard for Kent County Road Commission, Walker, Michigan
City of Birmingham, Townsend Street from Southfield Road to Chester Street, Birmingham, Michigan
Lithia Motors, ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys for Moracco, 63 Locations in Michigan
Oakland Logistics, New 40-acre Industrial Building at 2100 S. Opdyke, Pontiac, Michigan
City of Pontiac, 2021 CDBG Sidewalk Program, Pontiac, Michigan
Wixom Logistics, New 40-acre Industrial Building at Wixom Road and West Road, Wixom, Michigan
City of Birmingham, Peabody Street Reconstruction from Brown Street to Maple Road, Birmingham, Michigan

Big or small, NFE handles all civil engineering, land surveying and land planning projects. Contact us at 248.332.7931 to discuss your next project.

NFE is providing land surveying, civil engineering and landscape design services
for Kent County Road Commission’s new headquarters in Walker, Michigan,
featuring five buildings.

A Field of Their Own – NFE Makes Assist in Developing Pontiac High School Athletic Fields

News / By quantumservices

In 2009, when Pontiac Central and Northern first merged, creating Pontiac High School, school officials dreamed they would one day have their own athletic fields. 12 years later, that dream finally came to pass.

As a result of the Pontiac School District’s 2020 Bond Program, the district received $147 million to make necessary improvements. A portion of the funds were allocated for upgrading the High School athletic fields.

The scope of the project included the construction of new football turf and drainage, a new track, softball field, baseball field and bleachers.

NFE was contracted by Barton Malow Builders, Midwest Landscaping Group, LLC and Metro Electric to provide, the following services:

Topographic survey
Boundary survey of the property line separating the Pontiac School District property, from the City of Pontiac property
Construction layout
Construction staking for athletic field dugouts, scoreboards, light poles, handholes, uplights, etc., and design services.

The project planning began in June of 2020 and construction was completed in late September of 2021. The High School debuted their new athletic field at their ribbon cutting ceremony on October 8, 2021. Later the High School football team, the Pontiac Phoenix’s, hosted a homecoming game on their new field. This was the first home game played on home turf since the merging of the two high schools, in 2009.