As National Public Works Week (NPWW) comes to an end, Knox County wants to conclude the celebration with a story on Capital Projects and outstanding employee Chris Sivyer.
“Capital Projects is an important public works function that doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves,” said Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett. “By thinking ahead, preparing for new projects and closely monitoring the work that is done, our capital projects staff makes sure we get full value for the public.”
Chris Sivyer has worked at Knox County Engineering & Public Works for 14 years. He spent 9 years working in Highway Maintenance before moving over to the Capital Projects division as an inspector. Prior to his work at the county, Sivyer was a United States Navy plane captain on the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
Capital project inspectors’ duties include inspecting job sites where contractors are doing work on behalf of Knox County Engineering and Public Works, or where new roads and right-of-ways, which will eventually be turned over to Knox County, are being built on private property.
“We work on all kinds of projects,” explained Sivyer. “From new roads, bridges and intersection improvements to stormwater projects, convenience center upgrades and guardrail installation.”
Sivyer also works with contractors to minimize costly change orders and ensure that road work being done meets federal, state and local standards.
“Last year, my project manager Ben White, our director Jim Snowden and I, saved the county over half a million dollars on under budget capital projects,” said Siyver.
To be exact, the capital projects team was $560,309.32 under budget in fiscal year 2011. They oversaw eight projects that were successfully completed with less money than budgeted.
Projects that came in under budget included Mascot Bridge, Nubbin Ridge Road, Gallaher Road at Gleason, Dutchtown Road, National Drive, the Washington Pike Bridge, Parkside Drive at Hayfield and new sidewalks along Carter School Road.
For all the men and women who work diligently to manage capital projects, act as good stewards of taxpayers’ dollars,maintain infrastructure and all the other countless aspects of public works, Knox County thanks you.
More information on National Public Works Week can be found at www.apwa.net/discover/National-Public-Works-Week
Knox County Celebrates National Public Works Week
