Cold Regions Utility Systems

Alaska’s utility infrastructure, set in a harsh physical and climatic environment, faces further challenges as climate change destabilizes support systems and renders old solutions less effective. ASCE’s Cold Regions Engineering Division (CRED) is working to update the industry standard – the Cold Regions Utilities Monograph – to address these issues in Alaska and other cold regions. This talk will describe the challenges ahead for our infrastructure, and the work currently underway to align ASCE’s practice standard to the emerging realities in the north

Presenters:

Greg Kinney, PE is a Professional Civil and Mechanical Engineer who has worked at Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, supporting the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, since 1989. Prior to his career at Alyeska, Greg worked as a construction engineer, as an Assistant City Engineer for the City of Homer, and for consulting firms in Anchorage supporting transportation, site, and utility work. He currently serves on the ASCE Region 8 Board of Governors and serves on the Executive Committee of the ASCE Cold Regions Engineering Division.

Event Info:

When: Tuesday, February 18, 2025 from 12PM-1PM

Where: Moose Lodge - 4211 Arctic Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99503

Cost: $20 per person - QR code, cash, check, credit card (Students and Lifetime Members are free)

Lunch: Sandwiches & Salads

Eventbrite Link to Register:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/february-asce-anchorage-branch-luncheon-tickets-1246792522999?aff=oddtdtcreator

If Eventbrite says we are sold out, please email me at kim.bustillos@alaska.gov.

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The Alaska Railroad Corporation operates 13 miles of track between the Denali Park Entrance and Healy, Alaska in a corridor called the Healy Canyon. The route follows the Nenana River through a narrow canyon where ARRC has faced a long history of slope stability problems. Several mitigation efforts have been implemented over the years with varying degrees of success including drainage facilities, slope stabilizations, retaining walls, track realignments and just about anything else that anyone could imagine. In 2019 the Alaska Railroad began an FTA funded program to comprehensively catalog and begin working on issues in the canyon. Working with our contractors we located 42 retaining walls and multiple slide areas, which were ordered and indexed. We have begun work on innovative solutions within the corridor, despite the challenging conditions.

Presenters:

Jesse Moose, PE: Jesse Moose is a Project Manager with the Alaska Railroad, based in Anchorage Alaska. He received his degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech. His career in rail transportation has included projects across the United States with an emphasis in infrastructure. Outside of work, Jesse is a father of three and most often found as a hockey dad cheering on his children.

Noah Kimmes, PE, CEG: Noah Kimmes is a Geological Engineer with Emprise Concepts, and is based out of Anchorage, Alaska. He received a bachelor's degree in Geological Engineering from the University of Minnesota in 2014 and a master's degree in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 2016. Noah's career has focused on the evaluation and mitigation of geohazards including rockfall, landslides, debris flows, and avalanches. Outside of work, Noah is an avid backcountry skier, climber, and trail runner.

Garrett Yager, PE: Garrett Yager is a Civil Engineer with Michael Baker, and is based out of Anchorage, Alaska. He received a bachelor's and master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Garrett specializes in surface water and drainage engineering and has a strong background in hydraulic modeling, flood analysis and scour evaluations. He has managed several projects for ARRC in the Healy Canyon including landslide mitigation and retaining wall design. Outside of work, Garrett is an avid Nordic skier but these days you will usually find him on the sidelines cheering on his three kids.

ASCE Anchorage Branch monthly luncheons. Lunches are held at the Moose’s Lodge (4211 Arctic Boulevard) with doors opening at 11:45 AM. More details to come.

ASCE Anchorage Branch resumes their monthly luncheons in Sept 2024! Lunches are held at the Moose’s Lodge (4211 Arctic Boulevard) with doors opening at 11:45 AM. More details to come.