ASK THE DIRT

You can't see what's under the ground, but your project is going to pay for it if you ignore it.

In this episode of The Dirt, we dig into geotechnical reports and why understanding the soil before the excavator starts digging can save serious time, money, and headaches. Soil conditions can impact the overall project schedule.

A geotechnical report isn't just another box to check. It's information you can use to make better decisions in the planning process and the design of a project. So, before you break ground, stop and ask: Do I actually know what's underneath this site? If the answer is no, it's time to get the dirt.

Let's dig in!

ASK THE DIRT

We're back in the dirt with Josh Drummond for Part 2 of the conversation, and this time, we're digging into some of the differences between civil construction in America and New Zealand.

From HDPE pipe and fire hydrants to construction management and project delivery, Josh brings a different perspective to the way we build infrastructure, manage projects, and get work done.

And then we tackle the question everyone in construction has asked at some point: Why do projects take so damn long?

We get into the good, the bad, and the downright frustrating realities of civil construction and why sometimes getting something out of the ground is harder than it should be. It's another honest conversation about the dirt, the people, and the decisions behind the projects we build.

The boots are dirty. The opinions are honest. Let's get in The Dirt with Alpine Civil Consulting.

ASK THE DIRT

It's pipe. It's not that difficult. But when you're talking about aging infrastructure, a changing workforce, rising costs, and the need to get more done with less, there's a lot more to pipe installation than digging a trench.

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Shane, Neil, and Stephanie sit down with Josh Drummond, Operations Manager at King County Water District #90, to talk about what it really takes to build, replace, and maintain our water infrastructure.

Josh shares his journey from growing up in the field to rebuilding infrastructure in Christchurch, New Zealand, and eventually working in the water industry here in Washington. The conversation gets into aging water mains, the true cost of replacement, efficiency in the field, accountability, ownership, and where the next generation of construction workers is coming from.

What happens when we start looking at infrastructure differently? Can we replace aging systems faster, with less disruption and at a lower cost? And where are the people who are going to do the work?

ASK THE DIRT

Neil and Shane talk about what's broken in the low bid process and some of the ways a contractor who wins the low bid can survive the project financially.

ASK THE DIRT

Looking beyond the drawings to identify site constraints, constructability issues, additions, and other opportunities before they become field problems is always a good idea.

In this episode, Neil and Shane dig into a Site Analysis report and what happens next probably won't surprise you.

ASK THE DIRT

Neil and Shane explore why a project may not be constructible, where the extra costs come from, and when to get a consultant involved.

ASK THE DIRT

Welcome to The Dirt with Alpine Civil Consulting—the podcast where civil construction gets real. Hosted by Neil Tastad and Shane Crosby, we dig beneath the surface of the projects that shape our communities, sharing stories from the field, lessons learned the hard way, and conversations about everything from utilities and earthwork to design-build, leadership, and the unknowns that can make or break a job.

In this trailer episode, meet your hosts and get a preview of what’s ahead. Whether you’re a contractor, engineer, developer, municipality, or simply curious about what really happens before the buildings go up, this podcast is for you.

Because every great project starts in the dirt.