Converse Highlight - Hoover Dam Bypass

The construction of the landmark Mike O'Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge (also known as the Hoover Dam bypass),  is an internationally recognized engineering marvel.  It is the first concrete-steel composite arch bridge built in the United States, the longest concrete arch in the Western Hemisphere, and the second-highest bridge in the U.S. (890 feet above the Colorado River). The project has received many awards:

• 2014 - Special Mention, Awards for Outstanding Concrete Structures, The International Federation for Structural Concrete (fib)
• 2013 - Award of Excellence, Major Civil Engineering Projects, Centenary Awards, International Federation of Consulting Engineers
• 2012 - Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award, American Society of Civil Engineers
• 2011 - Grand Conceptor Award, Engineering Excellence Awards, American Council of Engineering Companies
• 2011 - Grand Award, Engineering Excellence Awards, American Council of Engineering Companies of Nevada
• 2011 - Eugene C. Figg, Jr. Medal, International Bridge Conference
• 2011 - First Place, Bridges (Projects > $100 Million) Category, Globe Awards, American Road & Transportation Builders Association
• 2011 - Excellence in Structural Engineering Award, Bridges and Transportation Structures Category, Structural Engineers Association of Arizona
• 2011 - Be Inspired Award Winner, Innovation in Bridges Category, Bentley Be Inspired Awards
• 2011 - Public Works Project of the Year, Transportation | Cost Greater Than $75 Million Category, American Public Works Association
• 2011 - Bridge Award of Excellence, American Segmental Bridge Institute
• 2011 - Outstanding Project, Bridges and Transportation Structures Category, Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards, National Council of Structural Engineers Associations

The bridge consists of a 2,000 foot-long composite concrete deck arch, requiring over 6000 cubic yards of concrete and 8 million pounds of steel to build at an estimated cost of $120 million. The Nevada Approach portion of the project consisted of over one million cubic yards of embankment, six concrete bridge structures and approximately 2.5 miles of asphalt concrete pavement, including traffic interchanges, drainage improvements, wildlife crossings and pedestrian and visitor improvements.

Converse is proud to have participated in this project. Our scope of services included materials testing and inspection on soils, concrete and asphalt, as well as the development and implementation of the QA/QC plan. 

 

Converse Consultants is an industry leader in geotechnical engineering, and environmental, groundwater and materials sciences. We are celebrating our 70th year of service.

For more information about Converse please contact Beth George at bgeorge@converseconsultants.com

 

The Las Vegas Veterans Memorial-Honoring Those Who Serve

The Las Vegas Veterans Memorial project is a community effort to recognize and honor our veterans and their service to the country. The sacrifice made by those who serve in our nation's military affect not just those in Las Vegas, or the United States, but many parts of the world.

The public recognition of the importance of this sacrifice is what led the Las Vegas Veterans Memorial Board of Directors to move forward with the monument.  Their motto is "To show appreciation and bring recognition to the commitment and sacrifices our Veteran’s and their Families have endured throughout our country’s history by establishing a Veterans Memorial".

 After an intense competition the Board selected Douwe Blumberg from a field of 200 artists to create the Memorial.  Blumberg has completed more than 200 projects, including the “America’s Response” Special Operations Monument placed by Ground Zero in New York City. Within the last 18 months alone, he has installed five large outdoor pieces for cities across the country.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held in November, 2015. The memorial is on a two-acre park setting on the grounds of the Grant Sawyer State Building and will  feature 18 statues, each around 7-8 feet tall, surrounded by granite memorial walls with explanatory narrative.  The pathways in the park include commemorative bricks honoring a veteran by name, branch and dates of service.

Three soldiers rescuing an injured warrior and a family group will face the soldier vignette. This is the central focus of the Memorial. Ten historical background figures represent veterans of America’s past wars.

Dedication for the Memorial is scheduled for May 27, 2016.  This world-class Memorial will inspire many generations in the Las Vegas area and honor those who put their lives on the line to gain and preserve our freedom.

Converse Consultants is proud to be part of this important project.  We donated the geotechnical design reports for the memorial and park.  Converse actively seeks out ways to honor our veteran and active duty military personnel.

For more information about the Las Vegas Veterans Memorial visit their website at http://lasvegasveteransmemorial.org/.

Converse Consultants is an industry leader in geotechnical, environmental, groundwater and materials sciences. We are celebrating our 70th year of service.
For more information about Converse please contact Beth George at bgeorge@converseconsultants.com

Celebrating 70 Years



In 1946, Professor Frederick J. Converse established Converse Consultants (Converse) in Pasadena, California to provide the construction industry with soils mechanics. Converse is an employee-owned corporation, with 9 offices and 100 employees throughout the United States – California (Monrovia, Redlands, Costa Mesa and Palm Desert), Nevada (Las Vegas, Reno, and Elko), Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.




St. Louis Arch

We provide professional services in the fields of geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, groundwater sciences, environmental sciences, and soils and materials testing and inspection. Our mission is to work together with our clients to provide them with responsive and quality services, resulting in the development of long-term relationships.



BART Transbay Tube

 Over the last 70 years we've had the privilege of working on some outstanding projects. These include foundation recommendations for the BART Transbay Tube, the St. Louis Arch and the Castaic Forebay Dam and Powerplant. 

Other projects of note are the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge (concrete testing), Jersey Gardens Mall (foundation settlement design) and environmental studies for 125-miles of transportation corridor in Southern California.



Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge

Looking at our history is great fun and quite inspiring.  Peering into our future, however, is even more exciting!  We see opportunities for responsible growth, and the opening of new markets, all while maintaining our steadfast attention on providing quality service.



Castaic Powerplant

We'll be announcing some fun events to celebrate our 70th anniversary soon.  Until then, follow us on social media to keep up to date with our amazing company!



For more information about Converse Consultants please contact Beth George at bgeorge@converseconsultants.com