truck hook-ups with floor isolation valving and a spigot in each floor’s mop room to supply water for toilet flushing. Climate hazards also led the discussion during multiple design deci- sions on sanitary sewer discharge, wind loadings and fuel storage for operational systems. Examples of such options discussed were onsite sanitary sewer treatment, higher wind loadings and 14-day onsite fuel supply storage. While these options are suitable options for some proj - ects, the cost vs reward did not warranty inclusion. Designed to Last By accounting for the projected climate hazards Baptist’s new hospi - tal campus will be vulnerable to during its lifespan, Gresham Smith is providing Baptist Health Care with the best available information and equipping them to make smart fiscal decisions. The information has enabled the design team to develop a program and strategies that will decrease the campus’ vulnerability during hazardous conditions, ultimately helping create a strong community asset that will be able to weather the storm when it opens to the public in 2023.
reuse, water storage, and water supply redundancy. Ultimately, the de - sign team decided on an approach of stormwater reuse and onsite water supply wells with generator backup for operational water usage and onsite storage of bottled water for potable usage. The hospital has also designed contingencies for gray water supply, including water tanker
LEVI SCIARA, P.E. is Senior Civil Engineer at Gresham Smith.
are only 1,000 wildlife crossings in America’s 4 million mile roadway network, or about one crossing every 4,000 miles. Animals’ lives and species survival are altered by the infrastructure that we rely on for our daily commutes. While it is encouraging to see high-profile projects like the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing achieving global recognition, we recognize the necessity of establish- ing a better understanding of the needs across all regions of the US that are affected by human transportation infrastructure. Engineering efforts are already underway in small towns across the Midwest; while we may not host larger animals like bears and bobcats, racoons and frogs among a myriad of other species deserve our attention and pro- tection as well. A Mutually Beneficial Solution The impact of infrastructure on wildlife is undeniable: our footprint has eliminated habitats, disrupted migratory patterns, and isolated animal subsets from larger breeding pools with genetic implications. However, the impact isn’t confined to the animal world. The Federal Highway Administration has estimated that between 1 and 2 million vehicle-animal strikes occur every year, causing over $8.3 billion in cost associated with damage, injuries, and fatalities.
Wildlife Crossings Bridge the Gap Opportunities exist to use crossings as learning tools and bipartisan healing By Kevin Hetrick, PE
Earlier this year, construction began on the world’s largest wildlife crossing . The $87 million Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Agoura Hills, California will eventually be a superhighway for ani- mals residing and migrating in Southern California. The crossing will span 10 lanes of Highway 101 and allow animals safe passage into important migratory habitats for mountain lions, coyotes, deer, snakes, and other species. The project is hailed as an endeavor that will create a new era of environmentalism and conservation, which will establish an interconnectedness of human and animal infrastructure. Further, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal has established $350 million in federal funding for wildlife infrastructure, an unprecedented invest- ment in wildlife crossings across the country. It’s estimated that there
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November 2022 csengineermag.com
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