Photo By Leon Roberts | Dewayne Ponds, project geologist for the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project on the...... read more read more
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 24, 2017) – Dewayne Ponds, project geologist at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District’s Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project in Chattanooga, Tenn., is the employee of the month for November 2017.
Ponds is being recognized for his integral technical expertise in support of the Chickamauga Lock excavation contract and his work with the contractor to ensure critical work is completed on schedule.
“He reviewed 17 pre-shot blast plans within 24 hours of submission and completed 10 post-shot reports and field results to help move the contractor into the production blasting phase,” said Lt. Col. Cullen Jones, Nashville District commander.
Jones said Ponds also reviewed 31 stability anchor submittals and analyzed two stability anchors, which indicated that the anchors were properly installed.
“Without Dewayne’s analysis, the contractor would not have had support anchors correctly installed, which would have impacted the progression of the test blasting program and led to schedule slippages,” Jones added.
The Nashville District is excavating and removing rock inside the coffer dam to prepare for future concrete placements in constructing a new 110-foot by 600-foot navigation lock for the Tennessee Valley Authority project located at Tennessee River mile 471.
The Corps of Engineers awarded a $33.5 million contract in September 2016 to excavate approximately 100,000 cubic yards of rock to Heeter Geotechnical Construction. The contractor is also installing 44 rock anchors along the river wall of the cofferdam and secant pile retaining wall along a portion of the landward lock wall.
Adam Walker, project manager, said Ponds conducts a first-line review for the critical geologic work that is being executed through the lock excavation contract.
“Dewayne is very conscientious in terms of his commitment to review and respond to contractor submittals in a timely fashion so that work can proceed on time, while always keeping the government’s best interest in the forefront,” Walker said. “He is a consummate professional and his expertise in design and evaluation of geologic features is a tremendous benefit to the Chickamauga Lock Resident Engineer Office.”
Ponds ensures the resident engineer office is always aware of safety, both in the office and on the construction site in the coffer dam. He performs exploratory drilling reviews, blasting pre-shot plans, post-shot report reviews, excavation foundation inspections and assessments, geologic mapping and other support to coworkers.
“The reviews and assessments often require technical adjustments, which makes the job that even more interesting,” Ponds said. “I have been associated with this project for a long time starting with the early exploration and design through the current construction. It is a rare opportunity that any professional gets to be a part of almost every aspect of a project from design through construction, and for that I am very thankful.”
Ponds said the recognition caught him off guard, but he is appreciative. He added that the project provides learning and training opportunities, and he enjoys a great working environment with coworkers, Tennessee Valley Authority professionals, and the contractor. He said it’s a joy to mentor young professionals.
In his off time, Ponds is married and has four children with ages ranging from 6 to 20. He loves spending time with his wife listening to music at home or going out for dinner and live music when the rare opportunity presents itself. As a family, he said they enjoy the outdoors hiking, canoeing and gardening.
Jones lauded Ponds’ dedication, professionalism and superior performance in support of the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project.
“Dewayne’s accomplishments are instrumental to the enduring success of the Nashville District, Jones said.
For more news, updates and information please follow the Nashville District on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps.
| Date Taken: | 01.24.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 01.24.2018 09:34 |
| Story ID: | 263064 |
| Location: | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, US |
| Web Views: | 76 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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