Nearly 400 attend ODOT/ACEC Ohio Partnering Conference

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06/08/2016

Nearly 400 attend ODOT/ACEC Ohio Partnering Conference

Yesterday's fifth annual ODOT/ACEC Ohio Partnering Conference, held at the Ohio Union in Columbus, was another record-setter in terms of attendance.

Nearly 400 ACEC Ohio members and representatives of the Ohio Department of Transportation participated in the conference, which is designed to improve the day-to-day working relationships between ODOT personnel and their engineering consultants.

Emcee Jim Bednar Of Ms Consultants Inc Welcomes Attendees To 2016 Odot Acec Ohio Partnering Conference

Emcee Jim Bednar, of ms consultants, inc., welcomes attendees to yesterday's ODOT/ACEC Ohio Partnering Conference

During remarks at the morning general session, ODOT Director Jerry Wray said the department depends on ACEC Ohio member companies to help build and maintain the state's transportation system. "We truly are partners, and our participation in this conference demonstrates that we are committed to doing what we do better."

Also during the morning session, there was a skit that took a whimsical look back at the history and transformation of ODOT, as well as segments that explored upcoming changes in the department's DBE program and improvements to the Consultant Evaluation System. Assistant Director James Barna also provided a brief forecast of ODOT's consultant contracting program for the next two years.

Afternoon breakout sessions focused on how technology might affect highway design, ODOT's ramped-up consultant construction inspection program, and the challenges involved in producing projects through the department's Local Public Agency program.

Three ACEC Ohio member companies received project partnering awards at the conference.

ARCADIS and ODOT District 2 shared the conference's Best Structure Award for the rehabilitation of the Anthony Wayne Bridge in Toledo, the last remaining suspension bridge in ODOT's bridge inventory.

ms consultants, inc., and ODOT District 6 shared the Best Urban Project Award for the Mound Street Urban Avenue and I-70 Westbound Flyover Bridge, part of the larger program to separate I-70 and I-71 in downtown Columbus.