Atlas has partnered with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to improve mobility and manage traffic congestion in Austin. Our latest endeavor will help ease congestion along .

On October 28, TxDOT crews on the $58.5 million project, and Atlas was there to help turn the dirt. The project includes a new overpass bridge on SH 71 over the existing signalized intersection at Tucker Hill Lane, new one-way frontage roads, and improved and expanded pedestrian and bicycle lanes. This work is among several projects to enhance travel from Bastrop to Austin as part of TxDOT’s more extensive Hwy. 71 East Corridor plan—a plan that will eliminate all traffic signals on SH 71 between Austin and Houston.

Providing construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services for the Tucker Hill Lane intersection project, Atlas is helping improve the intersection, which serves as a major corridor for motorists traveling to and from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the city of Bastrop and other central Texas communities. With more than 50,000 vehicles traversing these roads daily, this project will enhance safety and better manage congestion on one of the city’s busiest roadways.

“With growing communities comes a need to improve mobility and make communities more accessible to pedestrians and motorists,” said Joe Fiello, Atlas Central Texas Sector Lead, Infrastructure. “Atlas’ work with TxDOT is helping enhance safety not only for kids walking to school and people biking to work but is also improving mobility and reducing congestion on highly traveled roads.”

The project is expected to wrap up in the fall of 2028.

Large projects — especially those using alternative delivery methods — are becoming increasingly complex and more demanding. In this article, , Atlas’ Northwest Business Leader, discusses how advancements in quality management technology can make a project run smoothly and improve outcomes.

One of our clients needed help managing a complex fish passage program with many variables. Highway culverts, designed to carry water under roads, often obstruct fish passage due to their height, insufficient depth or excessive water flow. Adding more layers of intricacy, each fish passage project is unique and requires evaluating existing conditions and collaborating with many stakeholders, in this case, Native Americans, state fish and wildlife departments and nearby property owners.

With so many moving parts, technology can help. And although technological advancement in construction has trailed other sectors, it’s gaining momentum. For this program, I recommended a tool called Smartsheet, a quality management platform Atlas uses that offers real-time, actionable insights, enhancing transparency for all stakeholders by giving everyone access to all project-related documents.

One of Smartsheet’s standout features is its customizable, project-specific dashboard that provides clients and owners with view-only access, ensuring data integrity. This feature is especially beneficial for managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, allowing us to maintain control over data inputs while providing transparent access to project progress and documentation.

A peek at Smartsheet’s Quality Management Dashboard.

That transparency is paramount to our success. From the outset, we establish a robust quality management system, adapting to evolving needs during construction, making necessary updates and ensuring compliance with all standards. This positions the project or program as “audit ready.” By not missing any testing for statistical analysis, accepting all materials on site and maintaining all applicable documentation, we consistently pass audits with flying colors, reducing rework.

Digital tools such as Smartsheet allow us to execute progressive design-build projects efficiently, meeting accelerated timelines with precision. The tool has been invaluable on large alternative delivery projects where a standard quality management approach would surely fail. The potential for scaling Smartsheet across other projects and markets is immense. By establishing a standard platform, our quality management processes remain consistent, regardless of the project or client. This approach not only boosts efficiency but also strengthens our reputation for delivering high-quality, transparent and audit-ready projects.

The integration of Smartsheet into our project management processes at Atlas has been transformative. By fostering transparency, enhancing efficiency and ensuring consistent quality, Smartsheet has helped position us as an industry leader. As we continue to innovate and refine our processes, the lessons learned from integrating Smartsheet will guide our future projects, ensuring that we consistently deliver exceptional results.

Don’t just keep pace with industry evolution — take charge! Contact us today to learn more about our industry-leading quality management program.