American Engineering Testing

550 Cleveland Avenue North

Saint Paul, Minnesota 55114-1804

Telephone: (651) 659-9001 Fax: (651) 659-1379

www.amengtest.com

October 30, 2008 For immediate release

For more information, call Libbie Krussow, 651-659-1327

American Engineering Testing, Inc. (AET) announces Trunk Highway 212/County Road 110 Bridge Foundation Study and Monitoring.

Saint Paul, Minnesota – AET worked together with HDR, Inc., Zumbro River Constructors (ZRC) and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) on the Trunk Highway 212 Design Build project in the southwest Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area, and more specifically, the bridge where TH 212 crosses Carver County Road 110 and Chaska Creek. Based on soil borings performed for planning of the project, the proposed bridge was originally to be supported on driven piling foundations. Analysis performed by AET showed that this design would be subject to significant downdrag forces acting on the abutment piles.

AET performed supplemental seismic cone penetration tests (SCPTu), a high quality technique for subsurface exploration. This investigation allowed analysis that provided data on soil strength and thickness to support the use of spread footing foundations as an efficient and economical solution for the bridge.

AET’s innovative geotechnical analyses prevented a $1 million construction overrun. Over 17,000 lineal feet of steel piling was eliminated, conserving valuable resources and promoting sustainability. In addition, sensors installed on the bridge have provided invaluable data, which promises to enhance future bridge designs. The project provides a new benchmark in what is possible and proven for bridge support in Minnesota.

AET is an employee-owned corporation, providing professional services to public and private sector clients since 1971. AET's 300 engineers, geologists, scientists and certified technicians assist owners, developers, municipalities, consultants and contractors with their design, construction and restoration projects.

AET office/laboratories are located in the following cities - Florida: Bonita Springs (Fort Myers), Palatka - Minnesota: Chanhassen, Crosby, Duluth, International Falls, Mankato, Marshall, Rochester, Rogers, Saint Paul - Louisiana: Baton Rouge - South Dakota: Beresford (Sioux Falls), Pierre, Rapid City - Wisconsin: Eau Claire, Hudson, Menomonie, Schofield (Wausau).

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For high resolution photos, please call Libbie Krussow or e-mail to .