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A torrential downpour on even the most well-planned site can quickly cause significant damage. At one of our projects, a contractor chose not to install a temporary pipe to divert water while installing the new drainage system. When a storm hit, the site flooded, and they struggled to keep sediment from leaving the site. Had they followed the sequencing in the plans, they would’ve been better prepared. Deviating from the plan without understanding the risks can lead to unnecessary setbacks. However, if you do need to deviate from the design in the field, here are a few tips to consider: Get a different perspective. Erosion control is another area where field conditions rarely match textbook expectations. On paper, a silt fence might look like the perfect solution; but we’ve also seen silt fences fail. That’s why it’s worth putting those contingencies in place (such as additional BMPs, for example), to make sure your site stays buttoned up. You also can’t rely on sunny-day inspections alone. Don’t be afraid to get wet. Go out during a rain event and see how your erosion controls perform. This gives you a completely different perspective than a plan set ever could. Adaptability is key. Field conditions change, and designs don’t always perform as intended. We experienced this scenario on our team’s downtown greenspace improvements project in the city of Smyrna, Georgia – we installed a sediment curtain in the pond to control runoff, but it ended up preventing the pond from properly flushing, exacerbating its containment issue. Sediment built up, and the water quality suffered. Similarly, at our Mulberry Rock Park project in nearby Dallas, Georgia, retrofits designed to manage sediment became clogged. In both cases, the fix wasn’t on the original plan. Sometimes, you must be able to acknowledge a design isn’t performing how intended, adapt, and make a change to get the desired result. ■ I’m watching you. Residents (especially those angry about a project) often look for a reason to raise concerns during construction. If sediment from your site ends up in someone’s pond, they’ll go upstream to figure out where it came from. And if it’s your project, you could find yourself in hot water with legal battles. So, how do you avoid this? Establish a public engagement strategy. Residents want to know how a project affects their property. If you don’t provide a clear narrative, they’ll create one. This is why communication is key. Hosting a public information open house (PIOH) gives you a chance to present the project’s goals, address concerns, and build trust with the community. Keep your information clear and consistent. Whether it’s a spokesperson or your project team, make sure everyone is delivering the same message. Before any public meeting, hold a pre-meeting to walk through the project and align talking points. This strategy was critical for our Croy team while working on the high- profile Windy Hill Boulevard widening project, also in
the city of Smyrna. We held internal prep sessions to ensure we were on the same page before engaging with the public. Consistency builds credibility. ■ Spend to save. Cutting costs upfront leads to bigger expenses down the road. If you don’t have money to build it right the first time, you don’t have money to build it right the second time. It’s our job to serve as trusted advisors, helping clients invest wisely in long-term solutions. Take a lift station, for example. Choosing cheaper mechanical equipment may save money in the short-term, but it could require annual maintenance increasing the cost in the long-term. I recommend identifying where the breakpoint is that helps guide your client to the best long- term product. Since they own these projects for decades, smart investments on routine maintenance can preserve a project’s lifespan. “What looks good on paper doesn’t always translate well on a construction site. Your staff need a practical understanding of how their designs come to life, which is why spending time in the field is so important.” ■ Timing is everything. Proper sequencing can make or break a project, from design through construction. Successful projects are well planned, and that means spending time upfront to nail down the schedule. In construction, it’s critical to do tasks in the right order. For example, if you don’t lay conduit before installing the hardscape, you’ll have to bore underneath it later instead of being able to open cut for the installation. It’s our responsibility to work closely with contractors to keep the schedule on track and ensure the timing of work is properly coordinated. ■ Google Maps causes mishaps. While Google Maps Street View can be a helpful tool that saves time, an actual site visit pays dividends. For example, walking the site could reveal a manhole covered in pine straw that you didn’t know was there. If you’d relied solely on aerial or street view, you might’ve planned to lay something in that exact spot that would’ve impacted it. That’s why our firm hosts lunch and learns for all staff members that includes site visits to active projects. Seeing a project in-person gives them a clearer understanding rather than only viewing it on a screen or in an office. Google Maps is a great resource, but nothing replaces boots on the ground. Designing a project is only half the battle. Getting your staff field-ready makes all the difference. When they understand not just what is being built, but how and why it’s being built a certain way, they’re better equipped to adapt and solve problems ahead of time. Tom Robinson, PE serves as the construction engineering and inspection division manager at Croy. He can be reached at trobinson@croyeng.com.
THE ZWEIG LETTER AUGUST 18, 2025, ISSUE 1598
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