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Feb 16

2023 UCLS Conference – the gathering of Utah’s all-star surveyors.

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This year’s annual Utah Council of Land Surveyors (UCLS) Conference, was held February 8-10, 2023 at the Dixie Center in St. George Utah. The conference theme was “Being an All-Star Surveyor” which was widely attended and included several professionals from Meridian Engineering. The conference is organized for Survey professionals to stay current with best practices, the latest laws, and preview the newest technology for the profession.

Meridian’s right of way and survey teams were happy to be involved throughout the conference, comprised of break-out sessions of key industry topics such as standards and ethics, eminent domain, business practices for surveyors, understanding utility easements, public roads and private lands legal discussion, and discussion on the future of surveying and mentoring the next generation.

Some of the big highlights and accolades that occurred at the conference impacting our firm:

Brad Mortensen awarded UCLS Lifetime Achievement 2022

Meridian’s QA/QC Manager Brad Mortensen, PE, PLS was honored with the 2022 UCLS Lifetime Achievement award. Brad received the award based on his volume of service to the Land Surveying Profession over his lifetime in the profession, including past-chairman of the Utah Council of Land Surveyors, current UCLS ad hoc Committee Chairman, developing the 2022 State Plane Coordinate System into existence for Utah with the NGS, was instrumental in developing the 2015 and the 2017 update of the UDOT Surveying and Geomatics Standards Manual, and is the current Treasurer to the Executive Board of the Utah Council of Land Surveyors. Brad is also an adjunct instructor in the Salt Lake Community College Surveying Program where he teaches Control Surveys to the future generation of surveyors.

A new remote-controlled survey robot called Anymal made an appearance. Check out this little drone doggy from Switzerland. https://photos.app.goo.gl/4rQyKnB3BRXmz9fL9 

That is a photograph of the presentation titled “Business Aspects of Land Surveying” 

Presented by keynote speaker, Jay Seymour.

After the conference, a small group from Meridian, including spouses, was able to gather for dinner at the Anasazi Steakhouse with long-time Meridian colleague, Bryan Westover of HDR and his wife Jennifer at the rear, Darryl and Wendy Fenn, Tyler and Cass Baron, and Mike and Sheri Nadeau to the front. It was a unique experience. You order your entree including swordfish, steak, or salmon and it is brought out on a hot stone to finish cooking to your liking along with your separately plated meal. 
The volcanic rock is heated up to 600 degrees in a special oven for 6-8 hours and then placed onto special design stoneware plates that withstand the heat. Entrees were followed by a chocolate fondue including toppings like marshmallows, apples, pineapple, pretzels, cheesecake, strawberries, grapes, rice krispy treats, creme puffs to “dip” in the melted chocolate!
Five crowns game with Chuck from ESI and his wife at the Edge Grand Desert Resort. In the middle are Bryan Westover of HDR and his wife Jennifer.
Another group outing including Meridian’s Travis Daley, the Baron’s, the Westover’s and the Fenn’s playing Bingo.  The gals found a really old bingo set at an antique store in St. George along with some booby prizes for the winners like Slim, a barbie potty, a whoopie cushion, a magic towel, and a crossword puzzle book. It was another fun night at the resort lobby. 

Jennifer Westover and Wendy Fenn

The last day Friday, Jennifer and Wendy hike in Snow Canyon and enjoy the sunshine while the boys finish the conference.  They said it was wonderful!

Overall, our team looks forward to this annual event for receiving professional development credits, gaining extra knowledge regarding the profession, and networking with like-minded surveyors from Utah. Recharging in the St George sun is always an added benefit!

Jan 25

Meridian participates in the Engineering Fair at West Valley Elementary School

By Events, News and Updates
Above: Tyler and Nick

This year’s Engineering Fair Competition welcomed Meridian’s Tyler Baron, PLS, Vice President & Right of Way Department Manager, and Nick Baron, Civil EIT, as judges for the event. Held at the gym of West Valley Elementary on January 18th, 2023, our judges were able to review student participants from the 4th Grade as they showcased their accomplishments.

Meridian’s team was happy to be involved and admire great design ideas for the industry.

Meridian was also part of the original design team providing survey and civil design services for the new build of West Valley Elementary while working with TPH and Granite District back in 2000.

Nov 01

A big thank you to our UDOT clients and teaming partners for connecting with us at the 2022 UDOT Annual Conference.

By Conference, Events, News and Updates
Above: Meridian’s Exhibitor Booth #2001 From Left-Randall Vickers, PE, Steve Johnson, PE, Tyler Baron, PLS, and Michael Nadeau, PLS, CFeds

This year’s annual UDOT Conference was held from October 25 – 27, 2022, at the Mountain America Exposition Center in Sandy, Utah with over 2200 attendees including several professionals from Meridian Engineering. The conference is organized for UDOT employees, students, and partner agencies to connect and participate together in various activities.

Shown above break area in the central hall.

Meridian’s right of way and survey teams were happy to be involved throughout the conference as exhibitors and various break-out sessions of key industry topics such as right of way, stormwater, safety, leadership, and drones revolutionizing UDOT. Did you know there are now flying cars that resemble a large drone? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcdPyzCgkZk

Shown above Matt Hirst, CRS Engineers and Darryl Fenn, Meridian Engineers

Overall, our team looks forward to this event for receiving professional development credits, gaining extra knowledge regarding the profession, and networking with like-minded teaming partners.

Sep 19

Meridian scores 2 wins at the 20th annual IRWA Education Conference Survey and Engineering Plat Competition!

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Above: This year’s winning maps.

This year’s annual International Right of Way (IRWA) Competition announced the winners at the Education Conference, June 5-8, 2022 at the Marriot River Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

The IRWA is an international organization including countries from the U.S. to Canada, England, and some in Africa. It organizes the conference for professionals to stay current with best practices, the latest laws, reviews, and the newest technology for the Right of Way industry.

Meridian’s Civil Engineering and Survey CADD team was happy to be involved in showcasing some great design ideas for the Industry General and Engineering categories. Out of the 4 categories entered, we won 2 of them! Check out these designs from our winners: Survey Division for East High School and Civil Division for Rock Cliff Campground. 

Shown above is the topographic survey of East High – winner of the Industry General Category.

East High School has had years of flooding issues due to the steep grades coming off 800 South Street. The purpose of this survey plat was to provide a design topographic survey for a drainage study to determine the cause of the flooding issue so our civil design team could correct the flooding problems.

Some fun facts on this project, this is the principal photographic location of the well-known High School Musical show and when our field crew was on site LiDAR scanning the high school the famous gymnast Simone Biles was on location at the same time.

Shown above is the topographic survey and civil design overlay of Rock Cliff Campground – winner of the Engineering Category. 

Rock Cliff Campground is a primitive campground east of the Jordanelle reservoir off SR-32 that is enlarging its current capacity offering vehicle access to a total of 51 sites, 9 tent sites, 16 van sites, and  26 RV sites dispersed into three loops—Riverbed, Aspen Grove, and Upland Meadow. Nearby are the Rock Cliff Nature Center, the boardwalk system, and the Provo River. This expanded area is anticipated to enhance recreational activities at the reservoir for years to come while meeting local public demand for camping and day-use activities. Construction is slated for completion fall of 2023.