As we welcome a new year, I am excited for the Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) and other services DRMP is offering in South Carolina.

Upon joining DRMP in August 2022 as its CEI South Carolina Area Leader, my primary objective has been to showcase our services and establish a presence for the firm in South Carolina. Building upon our already strong presence in North Carolina, DRMP aimed to expand its services into the neighboring state. Today, I’m proud to say our efforts have been successful, and I am thrilled DRMP will be able to provide enhanced services to our existing and new clients in South Carolina.

DRMP is now a subconsultant to RK&K for CEI work on the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s (SCDOT) I-26 Midlands Connection Project in Columbia. This project encompasses widening I-26 from four to six lanes for approximately 12 miles in Calhoun and Lexington counties, with almost four additional miles of reconstruction of secondary roadways. It is anticipated to entail a construction cost exceeding $375 million. The project scope further includes two interchange reconfigurations, seven bridge replacements (two replacing box culverts), major earthwork and grade improvements, new storm drainage and multiple box culverts, overhead sign structures, utility relocation, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), and many other significant safety and ancillary improvements.

This is a critical opportunity for DRMP to make a good first impression and demonstrate our CEI prowess on this project, paving the way for the firm to earn future work in South Carolina.

Laying the Foundation

The Midlands Connection Project is DRMP’s first major CEI project in South Carolina. Work on this project is expected to begin in the spring, and my main emphasis now is hiring qualified experts to join our South Carolina CEI team. This project alone will provide approximately four years of CEI work for the DRMP project team.

DRMP’s recent strategic merger with Ramey Kemp Associates (RKA) has integrated our operations, affording us the advantage of co-locating in Columbia. This places DRMP in proximity with key stakeholders within the state, laying a solid foundation for building relationships and collaboration.

The Midlands Connection Project holds immense potential and presents a unique opportunity for me to engage directly with influential decision-makers at SCDOT. This project is poised to not only elevate DRMP’s profile but also establish a significant presence and favorable environment for future consideration as a subconsultant or even prime consultant in South Carolina.

Introducing Mobile LiDAR   

Another area of DRMP’s expertise I have drawn exposure and attention to in South Carolina is our Mobile LiDAR capability. As a member of the American Council of Engineering Companies of South Carolina (ACEC-SC), I had the recent opportunity of serving on the planning committee for its annual joint conference with SCDOT.

We invited DRMP Geospatial Services Division Manager Brent Bass, PE, PSM, to attend the conference and give a presentation on “Mobile LiDAR for Engineers” this past December. The goal of Brent’s presentation was to introduce engineers to the multifaceted advantages of leveraging Mobile LiDAR and how increases in efficiency and effectiveness are realized in their engineering roles.

Mobile LiDAR technology offers a safer and more efficient way of collecting a massive amount of data than traditional survey methods. Unlike Static LiDAR, Mobile LiDAR does not require crews to stop or set up equipment in the middle of traffic and can reduce the risk of dangerous situations. With just one or two people in a truck, the technology can be set up in a secure location while being more protected inside the moving vehicle while performing the LiDAR survey work.

In addition to the safety advantages, Mobile LiDAR provides a wealth of data, often exceeding the initial requested information. This surplus data becomes a valuable asset for engineers as clients frequently find the additional information useful. The technology allows DRMP to address clients’ follow-up requests for more extensive or specific data, while commonly eliminating the need for extra return trips to the site. This often results in considerable time and labor reduction and cost savings for all involved while still addressing the client’s needs and providing top-quality professional service.

DRMP, as a provider of Mobile LiDAR services, uses both truck-mounted equipment and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), offering flexibility in data collection. Mobile LiDAR is considered a more effective and efficient technology and oftentimes results in a cost savings for clients, making it a preferable choice for clients and owners in need of survey data over large or multiple-site locations.

It is an exciting start to 2024 for DRMP in The Palmetto State. I want to truly thank everyone who has been instrumental in launching initiatives and further supporting me week in and week out. It has taken considerable time and effort, but we have now built positive momentum that will soon pay dividends on our investments. We will continue to push forward, and the future is looking brighter for us here in South Carolina.