Sample Projects

Water Resources

Lambert Creek Water Quality Improvement – Vadnais Heights, MN

Project Challenge

Lambert Creek (old County Ditch 14) flows southwest from Goose Lake in White Bear Lake and ends in Vadnais Lake. This project was the final phase to prepare for and install a 500-foot weir with 46 adjustable weir plates, excavate two retention ponds and install associated piping. The intent of the project was to restore wetland function, provide greater flood protection and improve water quality. Water that previous had drained all the way down Lambert Creek in three hours now may take three months to wind through the wetlands, reducing erosion and the deposition of unwanted nutrients in the St. Paul water supply.

Rani Engineering Solution

Preparing easement and construction limits
Revising previously submitted watershed modeling to reflect
the new location for the pond and ditch
Modifying the access road alignment
Designing sheet pile design based on soil recommendation
Construction management

Bridge Replacement - Lyndale Avenue Over Minnehaha Creek

Project Challenge

County State Aid Highway 22 ( Lyndale Avenue South) bridge over Minnehaha Creek in Minneapolis required replacement. The structure, located between
east- and west-bound Minnehaha Parkway, did not meet the demands of the traveling public. Portions of the sidewalk were closed due to accelerated deterioration of steel beams supporting it, and the trail below had to be
closed due to the potential for falling debris.

Rani Engineering Solution

Establishing topographic control points near the project
on the Hennepin County Coordinate System
Utility surveying
Field surveying accurate horizontal and vertical positions of all
surface and subsurface improvements in the construction limits
Hydrographic surveying of Minnehaha Creek
Hydrologic and hydraulic modeling
Waterway analysis report
Floodplain review
Streambank protection

Environmental Services

ConAgra Elevator Facility Demolition – University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Project Challenge

Prior to construction of the new Gopher Football TCF Bank Stadium the site
of the stadium had to change radically, with several structures being demolished
to make way for the new arena. Demolition of the unused ConAgra Elevator Facility enabled the University to construct replacement surface parking; long-term plans include construction of research facilities on-site. The goals of this project were to meet the deadline for the substantial demolition, maximize beneficial reuse of demolition debris, and to carefully dispose of hazardous materials.
To maintain a near-zero vibration in the vicinity of the demolition, the elevator was taken down by crane. Virtually all of the 56,000 tons of debris was recycled into the base for parking lots and roadways.

Rani Engineering Solution

Mapping public and university-owned utilities
Coordinating cleanup criteria for on-site and off-site disposal
and demolition phasing with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency;
with the City of Minneapolis on hours of work, noise and air quality
constraints, and neighborhood notification
Preparing project manual, construction schedule and estimate, Storm Water Pollution and Prevention and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Plans,
and construction phasing drawings
Project and Construction Management and Observation

TH 55 Environmental Assessment (EA) – from Plymouth to Rockford, MN

Project Challenge

The project involved hydraulically analyzing seven waterway crossings
to determine preliminary culvert sizes required to match existing
culvert hydraulic capabilities.

Rani Engineering Solution

Delineating waterway crossing drainage areas using minor
watershed boundaries and USGS 10-foot contours.
Determining curve numbers for individual drainage areas by
analyzing county soils surveys and aerial photos.
Modeling drainage areas to determine design flow rates
Sizing lengthened culverts in HY-8 or HEC-RAS so that the culvert rating
curve remains the same from the existing to the proposed condition
Writing a report detailing the design process and results

Transportation

Hiawatha Line, Light Rail Transit

Project Challenge

The Hiawatha Line is the first light rail transit line in Minnesota, running from downtown Minneapolis to both the Lindbergh and Humphrey airport terminals, ending at the Mall of America. The Hiawatha Line has 17 stations, with timed connections to 46 bus routes. Each station presented unique challenges in a crowded urban environment that parallels arterial route Highway 55 through southwest Minneapolis.

Rani Engineering Solution

Designing parking lot re-configurations and street re-alignments
Pavement selection
Utility modification, abandonment and repairs
Site grading plans for stations and Park & Ride lots
Storm sewer design and structural analysis
Designing drainage system for LRT and adjacent properties,
including detention pond design, culvert design
Water resources report

Bridges of Mower County Design-Build (I-90)

Project Challenge

Due to deterioration and obsolescent design, five bridges in Mower County on Interstate 90 near Austin, Minnesota, are required to be replaced. Some bridges required larger waterway openings and others required higher elevations to meet bridge clearance. Four bridges span waterways (Turtle Creek and Dobbins Creek), and one flyover bridge crosses a roadway. The project, started in July 2009, is required to be completed by fall of 2010 using the Design-Build delivery method.

Rani Engineering Solution

Topographic surveying of in-place features
Digitally modeling terrain for design
Analyzing waterway for bridge opening
Preparing risk assessment and best management practices (BMPs)
Preparing erosion & sedimentation control plan
Contributing to Design-Build delivery method

I-494 Reconstruction - Stage 2

Project Challenge

A key section of I-494 from I-394 to Trunk Highway 5 in Minnetonka and
Eden Prairie has been expanded to add one travel lane in each direction for approximately eight miles. Interchanges at Highway 62 and Highway 7
were rebuilt to ease traffic flow, and 14 bridges were widened to
accommodate the new road configuration. In addition to roadway
reconstruction, the project included four miles of soundwall/noisewall construction and the creation of new storm water drainage ponds.

Rani Engineering Solution

Creating signage using SignCAD
Mapping drainage area
Developing storm drain profiles
Designing guardraft, culverts, storm water treatment
and wetland ponds, and special ditch details
Preparing erosion and sedimentation control plan
Contributing to Design/Build delivery method

Trunk Highway 212 Expansion – Design-Build

Project Challenge

This unique Design-Build project incorporated urban and rural highway design in the Twin Cities metro area along a previously undeveloped highway corridor. The project included seven interchanges, 29 bridges and multiple waterway crossings. The need to provide efficient transportation for a rapidly growing population, meant that a new alignment for TH 212 was essential to meet the needs of the
southwestern suburbs as Hennepin and Carver Counties continue to grow.

Rani Engineering Solution

Engineering roads and designing drainage system with GEOPAK XP-SWMM
Designing stormwater treatment and wetland pond, special ditch design
and culvert system
Preparing drainage plan, profile, tab and detail sheets
Coordinating five miles of urban drainage design, 12 ponds and outfall structures

Site Development

Weisman Art Museum Expansion – Minneapolis, MN

Project Challenge

The Weisman Art Museum on the campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis is a recognized signature building designed by Frank Gehry.
It is home to many highly valued or priceless, oversized, original works of art
gifted to the University of Minnesota from the Weisman Family Foundation. Constructed in 1994, the University and the Weisman Foundation decided
to add 11,000 square feet exhibit space to display newly acquired textile arts
and to accommodate traveling exhibits. All additional exhibit floor space is cantilevered, columns rising more than 16 feet above the ground. Exterior improvement included highly visible exterior signage and lighting. This project used “construction management at risk” method of project delivery.

Rani Engineering Solution

Code and statutory traveling speed and vertical clearance review
Traffic study including line of sight
Water main, sanitary sewer and stormwater sewer modification
Erosion and sedimentation control plan
Coordinating with Central Corridor Light Rail Transit project office
on project features and schedule of construction
Coordinating with JE Dunn, General Contractor
Preparing plan drawings and specifications

Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Parking Lot 43 – Minneapolis, MN

Project Challenge

The VA needed to increase its on-site parking capacity by about 370 parking spaces. An Environmental Assessment, construction documents, and cost estimate were completed to prepare for construction of the new parking lot.

Rani Engineering Solution

Preparing an Environmental Assessment
Designing parking lot using conceptual parking lot layout provided by the VA
Working with consultants to produce lighting design, including miscellaneous electrical modifications
Preparing construction drawings, specifications, and cost estimates
Permitting support
Providing landscape design, tree preservation and demolition plans for the site

Surveying / Right-of-Way

St. Anthony Falls I-35W Bridge Reconstruction Project – Minneapolis, MN

Project Challenge

The new I-35W Bridge replaced the bridge that collapsed on August 1st, 2007.
The previous bridge carried more than 140,000 vehicles a day and the loss of the bridge is costing $400,000 per day in lost revenue, increased commuter expenses and burden on surrounding roads. The new bridge is one of the most highly
visible, fast-paced construction projects in recent years. Rani Engineering joined the project team in February 2008 as construction staking began. The intense
Design-Build schedule for the project required Rani Engineering to have
surveyors on site around the clock. Our six field technicians logged more
than 9,000 man-hours in their first five months on the project.

Rani Engineering Solution

Stake bridge superstructure elements 24/7 as needed for construction
Set accurate (to 0.001 ft) project control
Check forms for build accuracy before major concrete pours
Coordinate with superintendents for all the different aspects of construction
Collect topographic/as-built survey information when needed

Central Corridor Light Rail Transit

Topographic Surveying and Right of Way

Project Challenge

As the second light rail transit to the Hiawatha Line in Minnesota, the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit (CC LRT) is being planned for FTA Full Funding Agreement by Metro Transit. Once constructed, CC LRT, together with both Hiawatha Line and The Northstar Commuter Line will provide enhanced and connected transit choices for those living in the Twin Cities area. The 11-mile, 16 transit station Central Corridor Line will travel through many diverse and densely populated urban neighborhoods of the Twin Cities and will connect the downtowns of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The line will include destination stops at the University of
Minnesota and the Minnesota Capitol Complex area in St. Paul.

Rani Engineering Solution

Topographic Survey & Drawings comprised of more than 150,000 survey points collected
ROW base map created in MicroStation to Mn/DOT level standards while concurrently
converted to AutoCAD for design team use
Reviewing 400 subdivisions plats and 300 detailed legal descriptions and easements
to determine the public ROW and document encumbrances that may limit corridor construction
Survey of underground utility markings for Utility impact studies and planned relocation
and abandonment in accordance with Federal Highway Administration Subsurface Utility Engineering
(SUE) quality level standards for data certainty and tolerance
Assisted in the preparation of over 6,000 Mn/DOT UIS (Utility Information System) data sheets
for each utility in the corridor – left in place, abandoned or relocated

Sustainable Design

Willow Reserve Phase II - Conceptual Design – St. Paul,MN

Project Challenge

SPARC is a St. Paul-based organization that works as a catalyst to
help cities,neighborhoods and investors identify new construction
and renovation opportunities that benefit neighborhoods.
It began exploring a townhouse development opportunity called Willow Reserve Phase II in 2005. The project was created to convert a property near Marydale Park, Loeb Lake and the Willow Reserve wetlands near Maryland and Dale for development as 36 units of owner-occupied townhouses. The three acre, townhouse
development project is on the border of the wetland and required
special analysis and design for environmentally sound stormwater
run-off, and building support on peaty soils found at the site.

Rani Engineering Solution

Geotechnical oversight and coordination
Exploring innovative stormwater management techniques
such as rain gardens and pervious pavement
Designing a drainage system that mitigates impacts on adjacent wetlands
Establishing pre-negotiated permit conditions and
coordinating with local, state and federal agencies
Outlining ponding and permit requirements
Documented standards for final design
Preparing preliminary water resources report

Expansion to Communications Facility Building 761 – 934th Airlift Wing

Project Challenge

This project involved repairing and altering the existing communications building at the 934th Airlift Wing in Minneapolis and adding a new building addition
(approx. 6315 and 6305 SF, respectively). The project met the requirements of the 2000 International Building Code (including Minnesota State Building Code amendments) as modified by United Facilities Criteria 1-200-01, General Building Requirements. This project received LEED Certification.

Rani Engineering Solution

Providing a new addition to the existing building for additional Network Communications
Center offices, telephone system operators and accessible toilets. New design included telecommunication and data requirements.
Designing a reception area for customers, including space for receiving equipment
brought into the building for maintenance.
Removing the raised floor in the existing building to improve usablity of the space,
and refinished walls, ceilings and floors.
Increasing the existing server room size and relocating the existing
uninterruptible power supply to the utility room.
Upgrading/replacing existing electrical, ventilation and plumbing systems
Altering the existing roof to match new metal standing roof and
renovated exterior building finishes
Construction administration support
LEED Certification from goal setting through final award.

University of Minnesota – Morris Wind Survey

Project Challenge

The University of Minnesota, in a continuing effort to be more “green,” built its first utility scale wind turbine on the Morris campus around 2005. Building upon the success of that project, the U of M worked with Hammel, Green and Abrahamson on constructing two additional turbines. Rani Engineering performed the boundary and topographic surveys in advance of the design and construction of the turbines.

Rani Engineering Solution

Determine client needs for survey
Contact Gopher State One Call (GSOC) for utility maps and
field locates of existing utilities
Perform field topographic survey, including locating all visible utilities and GSOC marks
Search for and survey property monuments for the two prospective properties
Tie survey to established horizontal and vertical control networks
Provide electronic drawings and signed surveys to the U of MN and HGA.