Mel Mathews

Mel Mathews, Engineering Director (949) 453-1748 mmathews@aei-casc.com

According to Mel Mathews, task force field engineer, "Drainage flow patterns diverted runoff generally in two directions.Roughly half the project site drained directly to the bay, the other half into a tidal lagoon within the endangered species habitat.A focused effort was needed to prevent construction-site pollutants and sediment from impacting either body of water."Case 2 consisted of a new multilevel freeway interchange bordered on one side by the San Francisco Bay and on the other side by an off-limits habitat for the endangered San Francisco red garter snake.According to Mel Mathews, task force field engineer, "Drainage flow patterns diverted runoff generally in two directions.

Mike Chase was elected to a second term as Administrative Vice President and Mel Mathews was elected as Technical Vice President.
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Mel Mathews,CPESC, Western Chapter Board Member AEI-CASC Engineering, Ph# 949-453-1748

Mel Mathews, C.P.E.S.C., Western Chapter Board Member AEI-CASC Engineering, Ph# 949-453-1748

Also serving on the committee are Board Members Mel Mathews and Julie Etra.
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Currently, Board Member Mel Mathews is chairing the committee.
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Mel Mathews, C.P.E.S.C.

By Mel Mathews, CPESC

SWTF engineer Mel Mathews explains: "Drainage flow patterns diverted runoff generally in two directions.Roughly half the project site drained directly to the bay, the other half into a tidal lagoon within the endangered species habitat.A focused effort was needed to prevent construction-site pollutants and sediment from degrading either body of water."Designing and implementing a plan to minimize the impact of storm water on the receiving waters while allowing the construction to proceed posed quite a challenge.

A three-phase plan was devised to divert storm water to a central collection area, from which it would be treated and then discharged into the bay and the lagoon.To divert the storm water from adjacent work zones into a central collecting area, certain pipes were plugged while others were enlarged.
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SWTF engineer Mel Mathews explains: "In order to move heavy equipment in under the bridge, the contractor cut benches into the slopes.What this did was strip the native vegetation and create huge pads of disturbed soil.When the rains came, the contractor was working in a huge mud pit.And although many contractors are used to working in extreme conditions, it created a huge tracking problem when the large construction vehicles would leave the site.There was also the potential problem of sediment eventually being carried into the bay during the next rain.When I got to the site, it didn't take long to realize that addressing the disturbed soil from all of these work platforms was one of the key issues to bringing the job into compliance."

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"It may seem insignificant, but this mitigated a big problem for the people of Crockett," says Mathews."And it prevented unwanted soils and contaminants from flowing into the water in future storms.But it also had the added benefit of increasing productivity.Earlier, the contractor had been slogging about in heavy mud.After the change, the dry conditions allowed the work to proceed faster and probably more safely.

Sediment Trap

Mel Mathews, CPESC

Mel Mathews Director & Technical Vice President

AEI-CASC Engineering18 Technology, Suite 135Irvine, CA 92618

(714) 758-0101 Main office(949) 453-1748 Direct line