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Market

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure is vital to public safety and a strong economy, enabling efficient movement of people and goods and supporting millions of jobs.

Overview

SWCA has developed a transportation consulting practice with highly skilled project managers supported by teams of scientists, planners, and local experts. From environmental planning to permitting and compliance, SWCA has the experience and resources to be our clients’ one-stop environmental consulting firm to help move transportation projects forward, no matter how complex.

Since 1981, SWCA has supported numerous State Departments of Transportation, regional transportation authorities, municipal public works departments, marine port and airport authorities, and engineering firms throughout the country. In every case, wherever the project and however large or small, our single focus is to provide meaningful environmental consulting, constructive ideas, and active project management to support our clients’ transportation projects through completion, efficiently and successfully.

Biological and Ecological Services

SWCA is dedicated to preserving ecological integrity while advancing transportation projects in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Our qualified biologists, scientists, and local experts have a thorough knowledge of the natural environment and local conditions. We specialize in performing assessments for protected species, aquatic features, and other sensitive environmental resources for transportation-related projects across the country. We routinely coordinate complex biological issues with project engineers and regulatory agencies to avoid or mitigate potential impacts to these resources and satisfy compliance for projects.

Relevant Services

  • Airport Wildlife Hazard Assessments
  • Aquatic Resources Delineations
  • Freshwater Mussel Surveys
  • Protected Species Surveys
  • Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Assessments
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Permitting
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Section 7/10 Consultations
  • Wetland and Stream Mitigation Banking
  • Wildlife Habitat Connectivity and Crossing Assessments

Construction Environmental Compliance

SWCA ensures that transportation projects meet environmental regulations and NEPA-driven requirements during the construction phase. Our transportation environmental compliance teams have experience from bid-build to complex alternative delivery projects, understanding our role in the bigger picture. SWCA develops integrated compliance management plans working with project owners, designers and contractors to meet the project goals of compliance and schedule. SWCA is uniquely set up with a strong bench of experienced environmental inspectors, as well as a wide range of environmental resource experts to meet the project’s compliance requirements ranging from simple to complex preconstruction resource studies, to compliance effort tracking and reporting. Our restoration design plans and post construction monitoring services guarantee effective and efficient post construction recovery, promoting sustainable project outcomes and fast project closeout.

Relevant Services

  • Construction Compliance Team Management Leads, Inspection, and Resource Monitoring
  • Development of Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs)
  • Environmental Change Management for Alternative Delivery Projects
  • Integrated Environmental Compliance Management Plan Development
  • Invasive Species Surveys and Integrated Management Plans

Cultural Resources

Cultural resources, both below and above ground, can be critical issues in the development of transportation projects. Our cultural resources practitioners are experts in navigating the often complex regulatory and community matters involving transportation planning. Our services include a wide range of archaeological and historic resource studies and documentation, ensuring appropriate preservation and that projects move forward without delay. We engage respectfully with Indigenous communities through informed relations and ethnography, honoring cultural heritage. Our expertise in National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) compliance ensures that historic properties are protected in accordance with federal regulations, maintaining the integrity of cultural landscapes.

Relevant Services

  • Archaeological Studies, Documentation, and Reports
  • Historic Resource Identification
  • Indigenous Services
  • Mitigative and Preservation Planning
  • National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Compliance

Environmental Planning and Permitting

With a focus on the natural, cultural, and human environments, SWCA ensures that projects align with community needs while protecting environmental resources through comprehensive transportation planning and thorough environmental assessments. Our teams excel in developing strategic permit compliance frameworks and managing regulatory processes, ensuring projects adhere to environmental standards effectively and efficiently. Through detailed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses and collaborative agency interactions, we streamline environmental reviews, addressing constraints and feasibility through detailed GIS mapping and in-depth alternatives analyses. Acting as the client’s environmental representative, our expertise extends to securing environmental compliance and facilitating smooth project approvals.

Relevant Services

  • Comprehensive National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Analyses (Categorical Exclusions, Environmental Assessments, and Environmental Impact Statements)
  • Environmental Constraints and Feasibility Studies
  • Environmental Permitting and Compliance
  • GIS Mapping and Alternatives Analyses
  • Mitigation Plans
  • Stakeholder Engagement and Public Outreach
  • Regulatory Agency Collaboration and Coordination
  • Section 4(f)/6(f) Evaluations

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