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ITD hosts 44th Annual Northwest Geotech Workshop

More than 90 people from 10 states, including more than 25 ITD staffers, took part in the 44th Annual Northwest Geotech Workshop (NWGW) in McCall in early September. The very first NWGW was held in Idaho in 1975. This event, like the ones before, offered many opportunities to learn, exchange ideas and expand geotechnical skills.

ITD’s Chief Operations Officer (and former geotech), Travis McGrath opened the conference as keynote speaker. He stressed that ITD values the opportunity to participate in the NWGW because there are many common interests that northwest states share, such as ground conditions, construction methods and similar risks to≠ the resilience of our transportation systems like geohazards and changing climates.

Most of all, he said he was happy to open the conference because “…geotech is cool.”

John Ingram, Dave Richards, Shawn Enright and Sonna Lynn Fernandez made up the host committee for this event. More than 20 workshop topics ranged from learning about Diabolic Diatomaceous Silts to understanding how to implement Geotechnical Asset Management. ITD staff presented three sessions:

- US-95 Elephant Butte Swelling Clay (Michael Van Lydegraf)
- The Application of SUAV and ArcGIS for the Inventory and Asset Management of MSE Walls (John Ingram)
- Case Histories of Geotechnical Site Investigations in SW Idaho Aided by Geophysical Techniques (Tyler Coy)

Two field trips were offered, highlighting Idaho’s geotechnical innovations and construction projects — a trip to see the Stibnite Gold Project and a Warren Wagon/Manning Crevice tour.

The highlight of the event was the annual awards banquet. ITD's State Geotechnical Engineer John Ingram was awarded the coveted “Mr. Geotech Award.” This award is presented to someone who has made sustained contributions to the Northwest Geotech Workshop. The winner is selected by the NWGW Steering Committee (which is made up of representative from the 10 states). Past ITD recipients include Bill Capaul (2001), Shawn Enright (2011) and Tri Buu (2015).

“Of course, ITD knows John’s geotechnical expertise and his value to the department, but it’s an honor for anyone to be recognized by a group of their peers and this is just another example of how ITD employees stand out as leaders in their respective fields,” said State Construction and Materials Engineer John Bilderback.