I had passed by the granite building at the corner of 4th Avenue North and 17th Street North countless times, never giving it more than a glance. Like many older buildings in downtown Birmingham, it appeared worn and forgotten, blending into the streetscape. I had never noticed the fluorescent metal signage or the Masonic symbols…
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When the City of Anniston set out to build a new pump track near the Chief Ladiga Trail, their goal was more than just creating a recreational amenity — they envisioned a space that would bring families and young riders together while enhancing the city’s identity as a cycling-friendly destination. Sain Associates was honored to…
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When you drive on the interstate, you may not think twice about the entrance and exit ramps, overpasses, or flyovers that guide your route. However, behind every one of these features is a carefully engineered interchange – a vital structure that connects roadways, keeps traffic flowing, and promotes safety. Interchange design is a critical part…
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When I first joined what is now the Geographic Information Systems Association of Alabama (GISAA) in the mid-2000s, the organization was known as the Alabama Chapter of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA). I started as a passive participant, but my involvement deepened in 2014 when I served as the Central Region representative….
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If you are a civil engineer, you have probably heard the classic joke: “What are the three most important elements of a civil design and construction project?” The answer? “Drainage, drainage, and drainage.” Drainage design is critical to the success of any project and is a major component of civil engineering. Drainage considerations weave into…
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We are proud to announce that Veronica Ramirez, P.E., RSP1, Project Manager and Auburn-Opelika Office Lead, has been selected as one of the 2025 Young Leaders to Follow by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)! The 2025 Young Leaders to Follow class is comprised of 20 transportation professionals under 35-years-old who have demonstrated leadership and…
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June is National Safety Month hosted by the National Safety Council. This month spotlights the importance of protecting workers, especially those in high-risk environments like construction zones and active civil engineering sites. At Sain Associates, safety is both a corporate policy and an important part of our culture. Whether we’re conducting a roadway design survey,…
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Turbo roundabouts are an innovative intersection design developed in the Netherlands in the late 1990s. Unlike traditional multi-lane roundabouts, where vehicles can change between lanes within the roundabout, turbo roundabouts use raised lane dividers and lane markings to guide vehicles into specific paths before entering the roundabout. This eliminates lane changing within the roundabout itself,…
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Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to attend ULI Alabama’s project tour highlighting Navigate Communities’ efforts on housing and community revitalization and reimagining the construction process. Navigate Communities, a nonprofit affordable housing consultant, is currently building housing in the Goldwater Estates area of the Titusville community in Birmingham, Alabama. Located along 6th Avenue South…
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As a senior project manager at Sain Associates, I’ve had the privilege of working on projects that will make a difference in a community. One recent example is the Irondale Civic Center in Irondale, Alabama. The building itself has quite a backstory. Originally constructed in the mid-1980s by the Shriners as a meeting space, the…
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