Maurer-Stutz, Inc. is a proud Gold Sponsor of the 2020 Illinois Association of Drainage Districts Annual Conference. The 2020 conference will be held January 16-17 in Bloomington, Illinois.

This years conference features breakout sessions on drainage considerations with the installation of farm productivity and water quality, climate change and water supply, bridges and roads permitting, using drones for the drainage district, and regulatory and engineer/attorney discussion panels.

This year, George Merkle will be presenting a session titled “Bridges, Roads and Drainage Districts: What You Need to Know…”.

The presentation will cover: type and size of a waterway structure, classification of the roadway, drainage area and funding all affect the process needed for the replacement or addition of a bridge or culvert. Projects can be divided into three phases: planning phase, design phase, and construction phase. Another phase could be labeled as inspection/maintenance. The discussion will include topics such as IDOT requirements, working with the Townships, County and IDOT, what is required during the different phases including required reports, clearances, Right-of-Way and permitting, IDOT general terminology and common inspection/maintenance requirements.

George Merkle is a Senior Project Engineer for Maurer-Stutz. He has extensive experience in a variety of projects including hydraulic engineering and hydrologic modeling, local and state roadway projects, Phase I structure development, permitting and drainage studies. Previous to his employment with Maurer-Stutz, George worked over 25 years with the Illinois Department of Transportation in District 4 – Peoria. During this time, he spent 12 years as the District Bridge and Hydraulics Engineer.

Maurer-Stutz, Inc. can provide drainage system design, NRCS wetland determination assistance, conservation and nutrient drainage practices design. Contact Gayle Baker, PE in the Agricultural Services Department.