ROADWAY ENGINEERING
30+ YEARS
With 30 plus years of experience in the architectural and engineering services field, JPR is able to offer clients a very tailored approach to their projects.
For nearly thirty years, JPR has developed a well respected reputation as a consulting firm that is always willing to go the extra mile to exceed its’ client’s expectations. Ever changing, JPR has developed the staff and experience needed to offer a full selection of professional services to a broad spectrum of clients.
From pre-planning to project completion, we tailor our approach according to the specifics of the project at hand. This emphasis on superior client service sets us apart from our competitors and has enabled JPR to experience continuous growth during the entirety of its 30 year existence. We are also fortunate to have both the founding and second generations of leadership still actively involved in the day to day operation of the firm, and have implemented plans and strategies to ensure that JPR continues to grow and adapt along-side our clients for years and decades to come.
“We’re a service business, focused on the needs of our clients. Our goal is to be their single source for feasible solutions to what are often complex challenges.”
Kenneth Jones Sr. President/Principal Officer
WHO WE ARE
FOCUSED - DEDICATED - EXPERIENCED
The JPR team is highly experienced in all aspects of roadway engineering. Design, planning, utility infrastructure analysis, and public input meetings, our staff has the necessary experience to make your project a reality.
Our Company
Our full range of services, collaborative approach, and more than 30 years of experience allow us to deliver the innovative, sustainable solutions your project needs.
Whether it’s the construction of a new community center or the renovation of a ballpark, we believe that the work we do together has the potential to make a big impact on your community for years-or decades-to come. That’s why we believe project success goes beyond impeccable design, creative solutions, and adherence to timelines and budgets. To the team at JPR, the measure of success includes sustainability-customer satisfaction, community impact, and ongoing performance.
Provide superior client service, complete your project… on time, & on budget, exceeding your expectations. No sales staff, just experienced project managers… taking care of you.
Our dedicated staff is ready to work for you. With our extensive project experience and extremely qualified team we are able to overcome any challenge your project might have.
THE JPR APPROACH
Accredited planning, engineering and architectural development requires a unique set of knowledge, skills and experiences. At JPR our team has been honing those skills and is ready to overcome your challenges.
PLANNING
We plan at the beginning to save time later. A good plan means that we identify the challenges and all of the small details. It sets out the processes that everyone is expected to follow so it avoids a lot of headaches later.
DESIGN
You can’t find a solution until you have a clear idea of what the challenges are. We use the design process to solve these challenges. In this phase we define the steps needed to tackle each project and put your plan into operation.
IMPLEMENTATION
An idea can only become a reality once it is broken down into organized, actionable elements within a timeline. We manage this process from the beginning. This ensures that your project will stay on time and on budget.
OUR SERVICES
Each project has its own unique strengths and challenges, which often change throughout different phases. We are equipped with the knowledge and ability to deliver a broad cross-section of services to meet your changing needs.
Architecture
From franchise services, sports complexes, and institutional structures to steel buildings and historic renovations, our architectural staff is prepared to provide complete and cost effective planning and implementation.
Engineering
JPR has extensive experience in providing quality complex civil, structural, mechanical and municipal systems engineering services.
Land Surveying
From boundary surveys to topographic surveys, from mortgage surveys to right-of-way surveys, the firm’s survey history is one of the most impressive in the market.
This department offers services such as environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, and wetland habitat preservation and mitigation strategies. Environmental
Planning
The nationwide experience of our staff helps provide creative yet sound, innovative, yet realistic solutions for your community planning needs.
Landscape Architecture
From concept through details, our services are tailored to each project with a unique approach to form, function and cost.
GIS
This department can help with utility inventory, highway maintenance, transportation, survey data, parks and recreation, and much more.
Renewable Energy
From point-of-use wind solutions to bio-mass generation, JPR is continuously developing ways for our clients to benefit from the advancements.
ROADWAY ENGINEERING
The engineering professionals at JPR understand the importance of safe and efficient roadway design. We understand that roads play a very important part of connecting people and places and that these connections encourage economic development and community growth. It is for these reasons that JPR goes above and beyond to focus our attention on the things that matter:
• Pre-construction Engineering
• Utilities Identification, Coordination, and Relocation
• Right of Way Design
• Surveying and Mapping
• Construction Engineering Management
• Traffic Signal and Roadway Lighting Design
• Traffic Impact Studies
• Structural Design
• Pavement Analysis, Design, and Rehabilitation
• Environmental Studies, Permitting and Documents
• Regulatory Coordination and RequirementsLocal, State, Federal
• Grant and Other Funding Applications
We have provided services for urban, rural, primary, secondary, and interstate roadways and bridges for clients ranging from municipalities and DOTs to private developers.
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
The single largest asset for most municipalities is their road network. When it comes to tackling roadway issues, most agencies often need to rely on an outside firm with a wealth of knowledge and expertise. JPR is that firm. Our team of civil and structural engineers are always looking for long-term, cost effective and sustainable solutions in roadway design. Understanding the limitations and constraints these projects face means that we have the expertise to think
beyond the normal confines of a project and are able to develop innovative solutions that address the challenges at the core. We provide designs and plans that you can count on and your contractors can understand. We work as an extension of your staff, designing roadways your way, within budget and on time. And when the inevitable surprises pop up, we bring you economical solutions, fast.
Our ability to overcome challenges and successfully complete projects on time and on budget is illustrated on the following project pages.
SOUTH LINK ROAD (WATERFORD MILLS PARKWAY)
Indiana
This project is the second phase for providing a high volume traffic capacity alternative route which would effectively reduce the traffic congestion at the Goshen central business district. Following the successful design by JPR of the first phase, the City of Goshen hired JPR to design this phase between SR 15 and Regent Street under FHWA/LPA funding.
The project includes reconstruction of approximately one-half mile of SR 15 to provide an added lane to the existing two-lane SR 15 for designated left turns, and a new traffic signal at the new intersection.
Due to two existing schools just north of the project, a sidewalk was included in the design through the SR 15 limits on the east side to provide safer pedestrian traffic.
Through coordination with the railroad, the bridge length was increased to allow for possible future additional tracks to the west of the existing tracks.
Waterford Mills Parkway is envisioned to eventually be a four-lane roadway with a fifth lane for designated left turns at SR 15 and Regent Street. The design includes a two-lane roadway with a third lane for designated left turns, and the roadway and bridge are designed to be readily widened to four lanes in the future.
The New Waterford Mills Parkway design includes shoulders and retention ponds. SR 15 reconstruction includes curb and gutter construction with storm sewer outfalling to a retention pond. The sandy soils encountered at the retention pond areas will be used to provide all of the project’s embankment construction.
Goshen,
NORTHPOINTE BLVD., PHASES I AND II
Elkhart, Indiana
JPR had teamed with an Indianapolis area land planner, the City of Elkhart’s Redevelopment Commission (RDC), the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City’s Department of Public Works. Beginning in 2008, a detailed planning exercise resulted in the selection of the initiating project. JPR provided cost estimates, funding models, the partnering framework, construction sequence and timelines.
Sharing a signalized intersection with State Highway 19 and the Elkhart Toll Road Interchange, this project required careful design approach. Providing additional traffic capacity and improved safety, the project design also incorporated new lighting, landscaping, pedestrian features, and improved access to businesses. The services
provided by JPR included public liaison, public meetings, traffic studies, survey, geotechnical engineering, design engineering, and right-of-way acquisition.
Final design began in 2010 and the project was constructed in two phases over two years and was completed in 2012.
PROJECT MANAGER: Kenneth Jones, PLS
Joshua Weaver, PE
Nick LaCroix, PE, PTOE
CHALLENGES
Congestion had plagued the intersection at SR 19 and numerous driveways caused speed conflicts and accidents along the length of the road.
Undersized road side swales had been used for storm water conveyance and became problematic resulting in ponding and continuous pavement deterioration.
This important gateway on the City’s north side was unattractive and in significant disrepair, and there were no pedestrian features within the right-of-way. The roadway provides access to several businesses that depend upon convenience and visibility to attract patrons.
At JPR we look for long-term, cost effective and sustainable solutions in roadway design. Below you see the challenges that were overcome on the Northpointe Blouvard project and the solutions our team provided.
SOLUTIONS
A signal upgrade and a change in a conflicting approach point solved the intersection congestion and a center turn lane, made possible by adding curb and storm sewer, resolved the speed conflicts.
JPR negotiated a public private partnership with the adjacent shopping center that welcomed a partnership with the City for the care and maintenance of their oversized retention area.
The design provided new lighting, irrigated landscaping, and walkways on both sides of the road allowing for access by foot from hotels to restaurants along the street. The design team recognized this concern early and scheduled input sessions conducted at the ECVB. These sessions allowed the team to understand what conflicts needed to be covered by the contract documents, and property owner comments drove the design of the maintenance of traffic plan and project schedule.
BRISTOL BUSINESS ROUTE PHASE II
Town
The Town of Bristol hired JPR for the planning and design of the Bristol Business Route Phase II project to create a bypass from the east end to the southeast of downtown to relieve the downtown area from the severe traffic congestion due to State Highways 15 and 120. The bypass route also connected to areas of potential industrial growth to the southeast and southwest of downtown.
JPR performed planning, traffic study, land acquisition management, right-of-way engineering, topographic survey, environmental permitting, utility coordination, INDOT permitting and coordination, railroad coordination, geotechnical investigation, road design, storm sewer design, traffic signal design, route wayfinding signage design, bidding assistance, construction administration, and roadway lighting design.
Key features of the project included: coordination with multiple railroad entities and INDOT railroad division to close two existing at-grade railroad crossings in exchange for the construction of a new at-grade crossing on the Business Route; intersection re-alignment and traffic signal, pedestrian actuation and roadway lighting design as coordinated with INDOT; new roadway construction, added turn lane construction, ADA ramps and sidewalks; Community Crossings matching grant coordination, design and construction administration for a 0.5 mile portion of the project.
PROJECT COST: $2.72 Million
CLIENT CONTACT: Jeff Beachy - Town Councilman 574.646.7007
PROJECT MANAGER: Kenneth Jones, PLS Mark Wilson, PE
of Bristol, Indiana
BARTLETT STREET RECONSTRUCTION
South Bend, Indiana
The City of South Bend Board of Public Works commissioned Jones Petrie Rafinski to assist them in the development of the Bartlett Street Roundabout and Reconstruction project. This project is one of the first projects for the city wide 2-way street conversion planning initiative.
This project involved a multitude of stakeholders including, but not limited to, the City of South Bend, Memorial Hospital (Beacon Healthcare), the Indiana Department of Transportation, South Bend Medical Foundation, South Bend Community School Corporation, the St. Joseph County Historic Preservations Commission, and Downtown South Bend, Inc. During the Design Development Phase, JPR spearheaded the necessary coordination with the City and stakeholders to obtain comments and buy-in in order to fully develop the final design from which to develop Construction Documents and Specifications.
Due to alternative funding sources this project has been split into two phases. The first phase involved the realignment of Bartlett Street and the redesign and construction of the entry drive and parking area in front of the main entrance to Memorial Hospital. Detailed Maintenance of
Traffic plans were developed and studied in length since the pedestrian access into the hospital must remain. The improvements within this portion of the project include new LED lighting, improved storm drainage, a revised and more efficient vehicular circulation and pedestrian drop off area, additional parking and landscaping.
The second phase of the project includes the development of a new two-lane modified turbo roundabout to be constructed at the intersection of Bartlett and Michigan Street (SR 933). Careful attention to the proposed roadway speeds, the inclusion of the largest legal semi-truck, and pedestrian and bicycle crossing points were required to design a successful, safe and efficient roundabout design.
The aesthetic aspects integrated into the overall project were critically important since these improvements are considered the main entrance to Downtown South Bend as well as the entrance to the Memorial Hospital Campus. This project set the standards for the future downtown two-way street conversion projects.
PROJECT COST: $3.5 Million
CLIENT CONTACT: Roger Nawrot, City Engineer 574-235-5932
PROJECT MANAGER: Dave Rafinski, Vice-President Chris Chockley, PLA, AICP
MORRIS PERFORMING ARTS
When the City of South Bend initially looked at updating the plaza and public street outside the Morris Performing Arts Theater, one of South Bend’s most iconic downtown spaces and setting for many outdoor events, the City was looking for ways the space could be better utilized by the patrons as well as visitors to the plaza during outdoor holiday events.
JPR’s design transformed the street in front of the Morris Performing Arts into a curb-less pedestrian and vehicular corridor that highlights the historic buildings facade. Vehicular traffic was transformed into a one way lane with decorative bollards lining both sides of the street allowing for clear delineation of the roadway. A decorative pavement pattern was incorporated into the design that
accents the architecture of the building and a permanent network of infrastructure improvements provides event-appropriate utilities.
All of these improvements have made this environment a distinct city destination during event and non-event times and has brought about a continued effort to make Downtown South Bend a unique destination for the City’s residents and out of town visitors.
PROJECT COST: $1.5 million
CLIENT CONTACT: Kara Boyles, Director of Engineering, City of South Bend
PROJECT MANAGER: Chris Chockley PLA, AICP
South Bend, Indiana
BRIDGE REPAIR DESIGN
Starke, LaPorte and Lagrange County Indiana
With over 30 years of experience in the civil and structural engineering fields, JPR has become a key partner in the development and execution of many bridge repair projects. Our knowledge of these projects enables the JPR team to go beyond the standard scope of design and engineering of bridges and bridge repairs. We offer topographic survey, utility coordination, bridge deck overlay, guardrail upgrades, traffic detour, advertisements, bidding assistance, part-time and full-time inspection, post-design construction administration, pedestrian and traffic flow studies and analysis, and Community Crossings coordination and funding procurement.
JPR has designed various types of county bridge repairs under local and Community Crossings funding and continues to work closely with County Supervisors to ensure cost effective, timely, efficient, and most importantly safe roadways and infrastructure.
In Lagrange County, IN, JPR was able to complete two deck overlays and guardrail updates to local bridges as part of a contract that also included the design of a “Slabtop” bridge utilizing Community Crossings funding. Because the contract for multiple bridge repairs were under the same design agreement the County was able to save time and design cost. The design cost per bridge was around $30,000, and the construction cost per bridge was around $130,000.
For LaPorte County, IN, JPR designed six bridge repair projects involving the removal and replacement of selected bridge beams which were damaged or deteriorated while leaving existing beams which were in good condition to remain. The design also included concrete patching and crack sealing of concrete bridge abutments, replacement of bridge deck and approach slabs, replacement of expansion joints, upgrading of substandard guardrail to current standard, addition of
PROJECT COST: $5,000 - $30,000
CLIENT CONTACT: Stephen “Rik” Ritzler -Starke County, IN
Mike Yacullo, PE, LaPorte County, IN
Larry Miller, Lagrange County, IN
PROJECT MANAGER: Mark Wilson, PE
bank stabilization rip rap, and detour route. The design cost per bridge was around $10,000, and the construction cost per bridge was around $150,000.
In Starke County, IN, JPR designed bridge repairs and adjustments for a 5-Span timber bridge over the Yellow River. The timber decking with asphalt pavement overlay was showing separation and drifting. The repairs involved the adding of steel I-Beam stiffeners below the timber decking as well as general tightening of the steel bolts of the timber assembly, which corrected the observed separation and drifting of the timber deck members. The asphalt deck overlay was removed and replaced. The design cost was $5,000 and the construction cost was $70,000 under local funding.
Also in Starke County, IN, JPR designed emergency repairs for two bridges where abrupt cracking found in existing timber end bent pilings were discovered. Emergency repairs were found to be warranted as a temporary fix before the repair could be replaced for the long term at CR 25 N where traffic between US 35 and SR 23 is relatively heavy. The designed repairs involved using lag bolts to attach short H-Pile segments to the existing timber piles, setting an I-Beam to support the H-Pile segments with welded shims and the concrete end bents, thus arresting the detrimental settlement. Also sheet piling was designed to avoid existing buried utilities around the problem end bent areas. The area between the sheet piling and the bridge was excavated and backfilled with flowable fill to stabilize the surrounding shoulder areas from settlement. Temporary concrete approach pavement patching and removal and replacement of guardrail portions was necessary. JPR performed the emergency coordination between the County and the contractor, and utility coordination. The design cost was $4,500 and the construction cost was around $20,000 per bridge.
3RD STREET EXPANSION
Third Street in downtown Goshen was once a narrow, one-way, two lane route with curb side parking. This project involved converting it to a two-way, four lane boulevard section with a fifth lane for designated left turns at key intersections. This created a smooth curve connection between key intersections of high volume traffic routes thus allowing for relief from traffic congestion in the downtown area.
The project also included major improvements to infrastructure, ornate lighting, landscape islands, brick accents, pedestrian amenities, sidewalks on both sides, irrigation systems, brick stamped and colored concrete for crosswalks, tree plantings, and other landscape features. Safety components included traffic signals, a new signal preemption system for the Goshen Fire Department, and fully actuated pedestrian crossing signals.
In addition to both the design and inspection of this project, JPR also made several public presentations, facilitated numerous public input sessions, performed the topographic survey, completed the right-of-way engineering for related land acquisition, acquired numerous permits, and designed adjacent parking areas.
Goshen, Indiana
IT’S ABOUT MORE THAN JUST THE PROJECT. WE WANT TO SEE OUR COMMUNITIES THRIVE.
