Nicholson Construction, one of GeoPrac.net’s long-time sponsors and a pillar of the geotechnical industry, recently celebrated its 70th anniversary with a two-part webinar series titled “Nicholson Legends and Iconic Projects.” The series featured six senior leaders sharing firsthand accounts of some of the company’s most technically challenging and historically significant projects. For those of us in the geotechnical community, it was a rare opportunity to hear directly from the engineers who helped shape the foundations of modern infrastructure.
Part 1: Legends from the East
Watch on Vimeo, password: webinarwednesday
Norris Cut Tunnel – Miami, FL
Presented by John Wise, Sr VP
This award-winning project involved tunneling under Biscayne Bay to upgrade Miami-Dade’s wastewater infrastructure. Nicholson used ground freezing to launch the TBM in limestone riddled with cavities, and later constructed a soil mixing retrieval shaft on Fisher Island. The project pushed the boundaries of tunneling in Florida’s difficult geology and earned accolades for design innovation.
Mandalay Bay Hotel – Las Vegas, NV
Presented by Dino Kartofilis, Sr VP Eastern Region
Before Mandalay Bay opened its doors, Nicholson was called in to address excessive settlement concerns. The solution? Installing 536 emergency micropiles to stabilize the structure. This project showcased the speed and precision of Nicholson’s deep foundation expertise and remains a textbook example of micropile remediation under pressure.
Provo Temple – Provo, UT
Presented by Rick Dechamps, Vice President of Engineering
After a devastating fire gutted the 1883 Provo Tabernacle, Nicholson was tasked with underpinning the remaining brick facade to allow for the construction of two basement levels beneath the structure. The team installed 140 temporary 12-inch micropiles to depths of 90 feet, along with a support of excavation system, groundwater cutoff wall, and dewatering system to stabilize the site’s sensitive lacustrine clays and high water table. The project demanded tight tolerances and close coordination, preserving the building’s historic character while transforming it into a modern temple.
Part 2: Legends from the Heartland and Capital
Watch on Vimeo, password: webinarwednesday
Prairie du Sac Dam – Wisconsin
Presented by Dan Thome, COO
Built on 12,000 steam-driven timber piles, the century-old dam was showing signs of deterioration due to tailwater recession. Nicholson installed 984 micropiles and 248 spin-lock anchors to reinforce the structure. The project was a masterclass in dam remediation, combining historical preservation with modern geotechnical ingenuity.
Capitol Visitor Center – Washington, DC
Presented by Luca Barison, Sr VP Major Projects
Nicholson installed a 130,000 SF reinforced diaphragm wall just two feet from the Capitol’s foundations, excavating to depths of up to 75 feet without disturbing the historic structure. The project required jet grouting and tiebacks to meet strict movement criteria, and it remains one of the most delicate and high-profile geotechnical undertakings in the country.
Central Subway – San Francisco, CA
Presented by Ryan Streets, Sr VP Major Projects
Nicholson played a key role in the 1.7-mile extension of San Francisco’s light rail system, one of the largest tunneling projects in North America. Their work involved complex geotechnical solutions in a dense urban environment, helping to connect neighborhoods and reduce congestion while navigating challenging soil conditions and logistical constraints.
If you missed the webinars, keep an eye on Nicholson’s website for future events. And here’s to another 70 years of geotechnical excellence!
