A design-bid-build project, the I-25/Paseo del Norte Interchange construction began in October. At the time, only a smattering of design packages had been completed. Thomas says more than 53 separate and integrated design packages were needed to finish the design of the project.

Thomas says almost four years have passed since the firm targeted the project. The official contract selection took place late last year. Work is planned to be completed in December.

Growth Flows in Many Directions

On a regional scale, the 175-person firm served on several notable projects, including the $18-million Chinle Judicial and Safety Complex in the Navajo Nation and renovations of Las Lunas High School in Albuquerque.

The firm also shared recognition in the ENR Southwest Best Projects contest for the Albuquerque Public Schools Westside Sports Stadium, for which Bohannan Huston provided civil engineering services. The general contractor was Shumate Constructors Inc., and Albuquerque-based SMPC Architects handled lead design responsibilities.

The first high school football stadium to be built in the city in more than 45 years, the complex includes a 7,000-seat stadium, a 2,600-seat track and field facility, parking for about 1,450 vehicles as well as a shared field house with team rooms, a conference area, officials area and maintenance storage.

The majority of the concrete used on this project was a self-compacting concrete mix that required no vibrating after placement and achieved 75% designed strength after 24 hours. The set time allowed vertical formwork panels to be quickly cycled to the next vertical wall placement.

Looking ahead, Thomas says the time will soon arrive when the current senior management team will relinquish control over the firm. However, the next generation will take the company to new levels, he says.

"We have a young group that wants to continue to provide these services," he says.