News Summary
Volkert Engineering, based in Mobile, Alabama, proudly celebrates its 100-year anniversary, marking a century of excellence in infrastructure. Originally founded in 1925, the company has significantly contributed to landmark projects across the Southeast, evolving from 14 employees to 1,500 professionals across the U.S. Now, as it embarks on its next chapter, Volkert continues to lead ambitious infrastructure initiatives, demonstrating commitment to innovation and community enhancement.
Mobile Engineering Firm Volkert Celebrates 100 Years of Infrastructure Excellence!
Mobile, Alabama, is buzzing with excitement as Volkert Engineering proudly marks a century of innovation and service in the infrastructure sector. Established in 1925 under the name Doullut & Ewin in New Orleans, this remarkable firm has been pivotal in shaping the Southeast’s highway and bridge landscape, and their journey is nothing short of inspiring!
A Historic Journey
With just 14 employees in the 1950s, Volkert has blossomed into a bustling team of approximately 1,500 skilled professionals, operating across a whopping 60 offices in 25 states. This remarkable growth was sparked in 1926 when the company opened its first office in Alabama, and it later moved its headquarters to Mobile in the mid-1940s. The turning point came in 1954 when David G. Volkert took the helm, leading to the dynamic company we see today, now under the guidance of CEO Thomas Hand since 2022.
Pioneering Infrastructure Projects
Volkert’s impact on infrastructure is undeniable, having contributed to numerous projects that have become landmarks in their own right. Some of the standout initiatives include:
- Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
- U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
- Gulf State Park
- I-10 Bayway bridge in Mobile
- I-565 in Huntsville
- APM Container Terminal at Choctaw Point
- I-20/59 in Birmingham
Moreover, a fascinating discovery during their centennial research revealed that Volkert played a crucial role in the development of the Mobile Causeway back in the 1920s—a tidbit that even surprised many of its employees!
Current and Future Endeavors
As Volkert steps into its second century, the company continues to tackle bold engineering projects. Currently, they are in charge of designing the ambitious $3-4 billion I-35 rerouting project in Austin, Texas. Closer to home, Volkert is also working on the I-10 Mobile River Bridge project, which is projected to cost an eye-popping $3.5 billion, making it one of the most expensive road construction projects in Alabama’s history!
In a further testament to their capabilities, Volkert has recently been selected for the Calera State Road 25 Railway-Highway Grade Separation Project, which is set to receive federal funding. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is partnering with them for noteworthy projects like the anticipated I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway, benefiting from a historic $550 million federal grant.
Looking Ahead
To celebrate this magnificent milestone, Volkert is gearing up for an exciting company-wide party on February 5 and the release of a special book titled “A Century of Integrity in Infrastructure.” In addition, the firm plans to donate monetary gifts to engineering programs at the University of South Alabama. They truly believe in giving back to the community that has fostered their growth!
The I-10 Bayway project will also adopt a $2.50 toll per one-way trip as part of the framework established by local planning organizations, while they have formed joint ventures with Kiewit, Massman, and Traylor for the I-10 cable-stayed bridge, as well as with Flatiron and Lane for the Bayway project.
A Century of Excellence
With a legacy that spans 100 years, Volkert has shown remarkable adaptability to the evolving engineering challenges and continues to make significant strides in infrastructure development. As the firm celebrates this milestone, it stands as a testament to the power of vision, hard work, and dedication in building a better tomorrow for generations to come!
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Additional Resources
- Business Alabama: Volkert’s 100 Years of Transformative Construction
- AL.com: Latest Update on the $3.5 Billion I-10 Project
- Shelby County Reporter: Calera Hires Volkert for Overpass Project
- Yellowhammer News: George Talbot Moves to Volkert Engineering
- GlobeNewsWire: Volkert Names Thomas Hand New CEO
- Wikipedia: Infrastructure
- Google Search: Volkert Engineering
- Google Scholar: Volkert Engineering
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Infrastructure
- Google News: Volkert Engineering
