News

Like all of you, Parametrix is monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely. Our number one priority is the health and safety of our employee-owners, their families, and our clients and consultant partners. Our employee-owners are working remotely as much as possible and minimizing in-person meetings to those absolutely necessary. In 2017, Parametrix developed a business continuity plan with the intent of allowing us to quickly pivot in response to a major threat, take steps to protect our employees, and continue to deliver the same high quality service and products you are accustomed to. Over the last few weeks we have deployed that plan and have dramatically shifted how Parametrix conducts business as we respond to COVID-19. Systems are fully in place allowing our employee-owners to work from home efficiently while continuing to serve you, including virtual meetings and online collaboration, and the ability to move very large files of information amongst our project teams.  We understand and appreciate that you and your organization are facing similar challenges and adjusting how you operate. We continue to adaptively manage and adjust as the situation evolves.  Our employee-owners view it as a privilege to work with you and look forward to continuing to serve you during this challenging period, despite the challenges we are all facing.-Jeff Peacock, CEO

Portland, OR – The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Oregon Chapter announced the 2020 Engineering Excellence award winners, including three projects Parametrix played a role in. The awards are given to projects that demonstrate an exceptional degree of innovation, complexity, achievement, and value.Kemmer Road Intersection in Washington County (pictured above) received an Honor Award for improving mobility and safety with a new roundabout in an area with a rapidly growing population. Increased traffic associated with a new high school and several residential developments now travels smoothly through the intersection, reducing pollution associated with idling cars that had waited in long lines at a stop-controlled intersection. Additionally, new pedestrian and bike facilities will connect to regional trails.Steve Boice (DKS Associates), John Willis (Parametrix), Charlie Stearns (Washington County), Brian Bierwagen (Parametrix)Parametrix was the prime consultant for the project. Partners included Dave Mills Consulting Inc., DKS Associates, GeoDesign Inc., and Kerr Contractors.Pacific City Wastewater Treatment Plant, located on the Oregon Coast and managed by the Pacific City Joint Water-Sanitary Authority, received an Honor Award for increasing plant capacity and making process improvements all while keeping the plant operational. John Willis (Parametrix), Kirk Medina (Pacific City Joint Water-Sanitary Authority), Mike Pyszka (Parametrix)Parametrix, along with teaming partners Applied Archeological Research, Dave Mills Consulting Inc., GeoDesign Inc., and McClure and Sons were able complete the project while keeping the plant running by following a carefully orchestrated construction staging approach. The project meets heightened environmental requirements, improves the capacity and quality of effluent discharged to the Nestucca River, and helps position the community for continued growth and a vibrant tourist economy.Current Burnside BridgeMultnomah County’s Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge Feasibility Study received a Grand Award for its analysis of more than 100 Willamette River crossing options including tunnels, ferries, and other bridge options. The study began in 2016 to ensure that the Burnside Bridge is ready in the event of an 8-plus magnitude earthquake. Burnside Street has been designated as an emergency lifeline route for first responders.As a part of the project, a video was created simulating how the 100-year-old Burnside Bridge would react in the event of an earthquake. The study recommends four bridge alternatives for further evaluation. A preferred alternative is expected to be selected in 2021, with construction beginning in 2024.HDR was the lead firm for the study, working with critical project partners that include EnviroIssues, JLA Public Involvement, Parametrix, and Shannon & Wilson.About ParametrixParametrix is a 100-percent employee-owned firm providing inspired solutions in engineering, planning, and environmental sciences. We are comprised of over 500 employee-owners serving our clients from locations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada. Connect with Parametrix: find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @parametrix_inc. Inspired People, Inspired Solutions, Making a Difference. 

Seattle, WA – Parametrix has hired Per Johnson, PWS as a Senior Scientist. He has over 16 years of experience in natural resources consulting as a field data technician and project manager leading multi-disciplinary teams. Johnson is a certified Professional Wetland Scientist and holds a Master of Public Administration degree.  He specializes in field investigations, including wetland and stream delineations, eelgrass surveys, forage fish surveys, and macroalgae surveys.  His experience includes authoring technical studies and permit applications to comply with local, state, and federal regulations. Prior to joining Parametrix, Johnson served as a project manager, senior biologist, and permitting specialist at Shannon & Wilson. In this role, he managed the natural resources technical studies and environmental permitting for an $84 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-funded high-speed passenger rail project in Kelso, WA, as well as a $13 million levee setback and estuarine restoration project at the mouth of the Skagit River.At Parametrix, he joins the firm’s environmental science group based out of Seattle. He will be supporting and managing projects for the Washington State Department of Transportation, Sound Transit, City of Bellevue, King County, and other municipalities and local agencies throughout the Puget Sound region.About ParametrixParametrix is a 100-percent employee-owned firm providing inspired solutions in engineering, planning, and environmental sciences. We are comprised of over 500 employee-owners serving our clients from locations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada. Connect with Parametrix: find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @parametrix_inc. Inspired People, Inspired Solutions, Making a Difference.

Empire Corridor Transportation Improvements. Parametrix’s Bend office is providing design services for the project.Bend, OR – Parametrix established a presence in Central Oregon in February 2015. Since then, the firm’s Bend office has provided general civil engineering and surveying services for numerous projects throughout the region, including the Powell Butte Highway Roundabout, Crooked River Ranch Water System Upgrades, Farewell Bend Pedestrian Bridge, Empire Corridor Transportation Improvements, and the Plant Interceptor Sewer Pipe Rehabilitation.The office includes 29 staff specializing in transportation, water and wastewater systems, and site development. They primarily serve local cities, counties, and private developers.“We’re so grateful for the trust our clients have placed in us to be a part of so many meaningful projects over the last five years. We’re looking forward to serving the Central Oregon region for years to come,” stated office leader Barry Johnson, PE.In addition to serving communities through their project work, staff regularly volunteer with local organizations. In 2019, the group cleaned up a roundabout in town through the “Beautifying Bend” program. They also play an active role in the In4All STEM education program. About ParametrixParametrix is a 100-percent employee-owned firm providing inspired solutions in engineering, planning, and environmental sciences. We are comprised of over 500 employee-owners serving our clients from locations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada. Parametrix has been named one of Washington and Oregon’s 100 Best Companies to Work for.Connect with Parametrix: find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @parametrix_inc. Inspired People, Inspired Solutions, Making a Difference.

Portland, OR – Parametrix has hired Jennifer John as a Senior Consultant in the firm’s Portland office. She brings over 27 years of experience in transportation planning and multimodal travel demand model application. She has played a key role in securing federal funding for critical light rail, streetcar, and bus rapid transit projects throughout the Pacific Northwest.John comes to Parametrix from Jacobs. Previously, she was a co-owner of John Parker Consulting and has also worked at TriMet and Metro.She has provided transit forecasting for nearly every major capital investment project that TriMet has received federal funding for over the past 17 years, including the Southwest Corridor Light Rail and Red Line Extension.She has also worked on projects in the Puget Sound region, providing travel demand and ridership forecasting for Sound Transit’s West Seattle, Ballard, and Federal Way Link Extensions.In addition, her experience includes streetcar and bus rapid transit projects with Sound Transit, King County Metro, Seattle Department of Transportation, and Lane Transit District.At Parametrix, John joins the firm’s transportation planning group, bringing travel demand and ridership forecasting expertise to clients throughout all stages of the planning and project development process. She will be working with transit clients throughout the West and support growth of the firm’s transit practice and travel demand modeling capabilities.About ParametrixParametrix is a 100-percent employee-owned firm providing inspired solutions in engineering, planning, and environmental sciences. We are comprised of 500 employee-owners serving our clients from locations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada. Parametrix has been named one of Washington and Oregon’s 100 Best Companies to Work for.Connect with Parametrix: find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @parametrix_inc.Inspired People, Inspired Solutions, Making a Difference.

Albuquerque, NM – Parametrix has hired Joseph Lujan as a Senior Scientist. He has nearly 30 years of experience in natural resources management with four federal agencies throughout the Western United States.Lujan comes to Parametrix most recently from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He served as a Natural Resource Planner and Wildlife Biologist, leading long-term conservation efforts fore the refuge system in a four state region with multiple partners. He previously worked for the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. National Park Service.He joins Parametrix’s environmental planning and compliance division based out of Albuquerque, providing cultural and natural resource services to clients throughout New Mexico and the Southwest United States.About ParametrixParametrix is a 100-percent employee-owned firm providing inspired solutions in engineering, planning, and environmental sciences. We are comprised of 500 employee-owners serving our clients from locations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada.Connect with Parametrix: find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @parametrix_inc.Inspired People, Inspired Solutions, Making a Difference.

Photo Courtesy of TriMetPortland, OR – TriMet has selected Parametrix to complete the final design of “A Better Red,” which will increase on-time performance of the MAX light rail system by double-tracking the existing Red Line from Gateway Transit Center to Portland International Airport. In addition to increasing reliability, the project aims to improve ridership by extending the Red Line further west from Beaverton Transit Center to Fair Complex Station. Work on the west side will include replacing track and powering existing switches as well as placing an operator break facility at the Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport MAX Station. On the east side, a new Red Line inbound station will be constructed at Gateway/Northeast 99th Avenue Transit Center. A new structure will span over I-84, servicing passengers on a new second track between Gateway and the airport.Parametrix led preliminary design of the project and will serve as prime consultant for the final design. The project team includes David Evans & Associates, Emerio Design, LTK, Shannon & Wilson, and Perkins + Will, among several other subconsultants. Final design will be delivered in 2021 with construction from 2021–2023. About ParametrixParametrix is a 100-percent employee-owned firm providing inspired solutions in engineering, planning, and environmental sciences. We are comprised of 500 employee-owners serving our clients from locations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada. Parametrix has been named one of Washington and Oregon’s 100 Best Companies to Work for.Connect with Parametrix: find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @parametrix_inc. Inspired People, Inspired Solutions, Making a Difference.

Peabody Creek Culvert at high tide after the snow earlier this month.Bremerton, WA – Peabody Creek Culvert, located within the City of Port Angeles, needs repairs after over a century in use. Parametrix will perform hydraulic analysis and preliminary design for the project.The 1,070-foot-long culvert runs along South Lincoln Street and crosses under East 1st Street and East Front Street, which are designated as SR 101.In addition to being structurally deficient, the culvert blocks fish passage because of its slope. This project will consider alternatives to create a fish-passable culvert or to mitigate elsewhere. The Peabody Creek Culvert is on a state fish passage injunction list but is considered a low priority because of limited habitat upstream.The project team, led by Parametrix, includes Shannon & Wilson and Willamette Cultural Resource Associates.Parametrix was also recently selected as the prime consultant supporting the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Olympic Region fish barrier removal program that will replace 22 fish barrier culverts. The Peabody Creek Culvert is not a part of that program.About ParametrixParametrix is a 100-percent employee-owned firm providing inspired solutions in engineering, planning, and environmental sciences. We are comprised of 500 employee-owners serving our clients from locations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada. Parametrix has been named one of Washington and Oregon’s 100 Best Companies to Work for.Connect with Parametrix: find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @parametrix_inc. Inspired People, Inspired Solutions, Making a Difference. 

Puyallup, WA – Parametrix has hired Scotty Ireland, PE as a Senior Consultant. Ireland joins the firm’s Puget Sound region construction and project management group. He brings over 23 years of experience in project development, construction management and administration, and policy development.Ireland comes to Parametrix from Guy F. Atkinson Construction, LLC where he served as the Design-Build Project and Construction Quality Assurance Manager for the I-5 Dupont-Steilacoom Corridor Improvement project. Previously, he was with the Washington State Department of Transportation for 19 years. He served in state and regional roles in the delivery of various transportation projects throughout the region, including the I-405 program, Washington State Ferries terminal construction, SR 520 Program, Olympic Region program, Hood Canal Bridge replacement, and Tacoma Narrows Bridge replacement.At Parametrix, Ireland will provide project and construction management services to public agencies throughout the Olympic peninsula and Puget Sound regions with traditional and alternative project delivery methods.About ParametrixParametrix is a 100-percent employee-owned firm providing inspired solutions in engineering, planning, and environmental sciences. We are comprised of 500 employee-owners serving our clients from locations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada. Parametrix has been named one of Washington and Oregon’s 100 Best Companies to Work for.Connect with Parametrix: find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @parametrix_inc. Inspired People, Inspired Solutions, Making a Difference.

Salt Lake City, UT – Parametrix has hired George Benford as a Principal Consultant to lead the firm’s Salt Lake office. He has over 40 years of experience in the engineering industry, both in the private and public sector.His expertise is in transportation, traffic, utilities, and environmental studies, as well as public involvement. He has participated in all phases of projects from planning to design and construction.Benford comes to Parametrix from Horrocks Engineers where he served as Principal Engineer for ten years. Prior to that, he was Public Services Director for Ogden City, overseeing seven divisions, several hundred employees, and a multi-million dollar yearly operating budget. At Parametrix, Benford will be responsible for the firm’s Utah operations which includes approximately 15 staff providing services in transportation and environmental planning, urban design, and traffic engineering.About ParametrixParametrix is a 100-percent employee-owned firm providing inspired solutions in engineering, planning, and environmental sciences. We are comprised of 500 employee-owners serving our clients from locations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada. Connect with Parametrix: find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @parametrix_inc. Inspired People, Inspired Solutions, Making a Difference.