One Water. Solved. Rethinking Water Resource Management in Texas
Texas can’t manage its water future with fragmented solutions. Rapid population growth, aging infrastructure, prolonged drought, extreme flooding, declining aquifers, and rising demand across municipal, agricultural, and industrial sectors are converging into a statewide systems challenge. For decades, Texas approached water resource management as a series of independent problems. That model is no longer sustainable. […]
Why Certified Floodplain Managers Are Essential to FEMA’s Mission
Flooding isn’t just a coastal or riverine issue anymore; it’s a national one. Across the U.S., more frequent extreme rainfall, aging infrastructure, and continued development are reshaping flood risk in ways that are increasingly difficult to predict and manage. Communities that were once considered “low risk” are now experiencing recurring flooding. That shift is changing […]
Civil Engineering History and the Baltimore Beltway
More than 44 years ago the Francis Scott Key Bridge was officially completed and became an engineering marvel. This famous bridge was the finishing touch to a nearly 20-year project to build Maryland Interstate 695, also called the Baltimore Beltway. Construction on the Francis Scott Key Bridge began in 1972, was then completed, and opened […]
Effects of COVID on the Civil Engineering Industry
We are now more than one year into the coronavirus pandemic, and engineers are feeling the effects on their industry and their ability to work. Understanding How Engineers Had to Cope Civil engineers provide essential services to municipalities by building and maintaining infrastructure. During pandemic lockdowns and constantly shifting health and safety recommendations, civil engineering […]
ASCE Texas Section Infrastructure Report Card
Every four years the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) evaluates the infrastructure of Texas. Their findings are shared in a report card format using letter grades to show the condition and performance of various pieces of infrastructure and environmental design projects. The state receives a grade for each type and an overall “GPA.” The […]
5 Core Foundations
O’Brien Engineering, Inc. (OEI) is committed to five core foundations that define our reputation and our future. We strive as individuals and a united OEI company to embody these foundations. This ensures we provide high-quality and consistent services for our clients. Ownership We achieve success by being accountable for everything we say and do. OEI […]
New Product will Improve Environmental Engineering Material Options
The ASCE Innovation Contest recently recognized three childhood friends for their development of a cement substitute. Jacob Kumpon, Jack Lamuraglia, and Tanner Wallis formed KLAW Industries to showcase their new concrete pozzolan. This product is named Pantheon. It is made from recycled glass and could replace cement in the concrete industry. KLAW Industries began working […]
Fort Worth Corp of Engineers Seeks New Options in Sustainability Mission
The Fort Worth Corp of Engineers works with the greater U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to increase sustainability and innovation through new approaches to environmental engineering. Seeking a balance between human developments and natural systems is a goal of the Fort Worth Corp of Engineers missions, facilities, and operations. Being aware of this balanced helps […]
Construction Administration Ensures Pay-as-you-go Plan Success
The Build Houston Forward Initiative is a voter approved pay-as-you-go plan focused on rebuilding drainage systems and street infrastructure in the Midtown/Montrose area just outside of downtown Houston. The unique structure of this plan allowed improvements and repairs to be made with incurring new debt. The aging public works of Hoston needed to be upgraded. […]