Palmer Engineering provides comprehensive surveying services to support roadway and bridge projects across Kentucky. Our survey teams deliver precise, dependable data—often under tight timeframes—to help the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and local partners restore and improve critical transportation infrastructure.

Using advanced technology and field expertise, Palmer’s surveyors work closely with roadway, hydraulic, and bridge design teams to ensure every project begins with accurate and reliable information.

Projects

Emergency Bridge Replacements – Districts 10 and 12 (2022)

Following the devastating July 2022 flooding across Eastern Kentucky, Palmer Engineering was assigned 11 emergency bridge replacement projects in Breathitt, Knott, Letcher, and Perry Counties.

Palmer provided complete surveying and design support to accelerate recovery and restore access for affected communities.

Services included:

• Field surveys for bridge and roadway design

• Environmental coordination and approvals

• Right-of-way and property mapping

• Maintenance of traffic and diversion design

• Stream hydraulics and drainage analysis

• Utility coordination

• Final roadway and bridge design

To meet urgent needs, Palmer delivered two full plan sets within 7 days of notification—an exceptional turnaround that allowed KYTC to meet letting deadlines. Construction plans have been completed, and 9 of the 11 bridges are now built, under construction, or let for construction.

KY 79 Bridge over Elk Fork – Todd County, KY

Palmer Engineering performed a fast-track bridge survey in support of a BUILD grant project for KYTC District 3.

Key survey features:

• 1,500 feet of full digital terrain model (DTM) in OpenRoads Designer (ORD) using KYTC feature codes

• Utility and property line location

• Floodplain cross sections for HEC-RAS modeling

• Low beam and beam seat elevations for hydraulic analysis

• Scans of upstream and downstream bridge faces

The complete survey—including ORD deliverables—was provided within four weeks, ahead of schedule, ensuring the bridge replacement remained on its accelerated construction timeline.

District 8 Bridge Replacements – Rockcastle County, KY

Palmer Engineering was selected to provide Preliminary Engineering, Final Roadway Design, and Structure Design for three bridge replacements:

• KY 1787 over David Branch (8-1053)

• CR 1071 – Wildie Road over Clear Creek (8-1057 and 8-1058)

Field surveys were conducted for all three sites, supporting an expedited design process. Both Clear Creek bridges were advanced under a fast-track schedule, ensuring project delivery without delays to District 8’s bridge program.

From emergency response to planned infrastructure upgrades, Palmer Engineering’s surveying team demonstrates precision, adaptability, and commitment to project delivery. Whether meeting tight deadlines or coordinating across disciplines, our surveyors provide the data foundation that drives every successful roadway and bridge project.