PLENARY SESSION 4: Agency and Owner Panel - Navigating Future Industry Changes-Video

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The session brought together agency and owner representatives to discuss how the geotechnical industry can adapt to changing codes, technologies, project demands, and climate conditions.<br /><br />WSDOT described the scale of its fish-passage program—hundreds of crossings to address by 2030—and the pressure this creates alongside other major infrastructure programs. The agency is updating its geotechnical design manual, reconsidering risk allocation, and learning to use progressive design-build while strengthening partnerships with industry.<br /><br />Seattle’s permitting department highlighted review challenges involving seismic ground improvement, liquefaction, settlement, basement-wall pressures, and seismic retrofits. It uses peer review for some complex ground-improvement designs and is working with researchers and local engineers to develop guidance.<br /><br />California’s Department of Water Resources recently gained authority to use design-build, construction manager/general contractor, and progressive design-build. It is developing selection methods, procurement documents, and staff capacity while navigating a major cultural shift from in-house design.<br /><br />Federal Lands Highway shared a Denali National Park project where a bridge will span a landslide accelerated by permafrost thaw. Climate modeling and LiDAR/photogrammetry help inform design and track ground movement. The Army Corps of Engineers discussed a fast-tracked Sacramento flood-protection program, using industry days, one-on-one discussions, and value engineering to improve collaboration and manage risk.<br /><br />Panelists emphasized early, candid communication, clear and consistent contract requirements, appropriate sharing of geotechnical risk, and procurement methods suited to each project. They also discussed climate-related extremes, including drought, flooding, wildfire, and landslides, and the need to plan for uncertainty.

Keywords

geotechnical industry

WSDOT

fish-passage program

progressive design-build

seismic ground improvement

liquefaction

design-build procurement

climate change impacts

permafrost thaw

bridge landslide

flood protection

geotechnical risk allocation