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| Atkins upgrades vital tram link for remote villages in south western Alaska  Atkins has completed the upgrading of the Tevyar'aq Railway Tram in remote south western Alaska, a vital boat portage that has connected villages and other coastal communities in the tundra of the Johnson River area for more than 50 years.The villagers of Atmautluak, Kasigluk, and Nunapitchuk rely heavily on the bridge-like wooden tram to transport their boats between Takslesluk Lake and Kavlgualik Lake for waterway travel, hunting, fishing, and other subsistence activities. After more than 50 years of operation, the former structure had fallen into serious disrepair and low lake levels forced travelers to trudge through thick mud—with boats in tow—in order to use the tram. "This project involved collaboration on multiple fronts, namely between the federal government and residents of the three Johnson River villages who use these waterways for their livelihood, " said Becky Rude, Atkins' environmental compliance task manager. "We assembled Atkins specialists from California, Colorado, Montana, and Texas, all of whom collaborated closely to complete the project." The tram's age and location required Atkins' archaeology, architectural history, ecology, wildlife biology, and engineering and design experts to provide extensive environmental and cultural resources services over a 16-month period. The Western Federal Lands Highway Division (WFLHD) of the US Federal Highway Administration, in cooperation with the federally funded Denali Commission, tasked Atkins with upgrading the tram as part of an existing multidisciplinary contract. The project scope included devising a more efficient transfer system for boats from the water to the tram, improving the functionality of the existing tram structure, and developing a safer surface for people to walk alongside the tram while pushing their boats down the rails. Reducing adverse impacts to the tundra was also a major environmental focus for the team, so research and field surveys were conducted and a categorical exclusion was prepared to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act to demonstrate that no significant environmental impacts would occur as a result of making tram improvements. "Upgrading the tram was extremely satisfying because we contributed to continuing a way of life that has existed in this remote area for hundreds of years, " said Becky. Atkins is nearing the end of its second five-year contract with WFLHD, and since 2005 has executed a total of 47 task orders—all in remote areas. write your comments about the article :: © 2014 Construction News :: home page |