AS THE ASSISTANT RESIDENT ENGINEER AT ODOT, STEVE WAS ASSIGNED TO MANAGE THE SIUSLAW RIVER BRIDGE PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDED INSTALLING A NEW COATING SYSTEM ON THE BASCULE SPAN AND REPLACING THE ORIGINAL 1930's ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SYSTEMS THAT OPERATE THE LIFT SPAN.

STEVE PARTNERED WITH HAMILTON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY AND ODOT BRIDGE PRESERVATION ENGINEERS TO INCORPORATE NEW TECHNOLOGY AND FEATURES THAT IMPROVED THE SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF BRIDGE OPERATIONS. IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED NEW LIFT MOTORS, PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLERS, AND HYDRAULIC LOCK PINS.

DURING THE COATING PROCESS, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE DESIGN ENGINEER HAD NOT ANTICIPATED THE NEED TO OPEN THE BRIDGE TO ACCESS AND PREPARE SURFACES FOR COATING IN AREAS THAT WERE INACCESSIBLE WHEN THE BRIDGE WAS CLOSED. BECAUSE THE EXISTING COATING CONTAINED LEAD-BASED PAINT, THIS CREATED A COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY CHALLENGE. STEVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH HAMILTON CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS TO DEVELOP A FLEXIBLE CONTAINMENT SYSTEM THAT ALLOWED NIGHTTIME SURFACE PREPARATION AND COATING WHILE MAINTAINING REGULAR TRAFFIC FLOW DURING THE DAY.