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ALS, Inc. Completes Rail Extension in 100-Year Flood Plain

Andrew Lonnie Sikes, Inc. (ALS, Inc.) recently completed a rail line extension for a private speciality chemical company in Bayport, Texas. This unique project is entirely within the 100-Year Flood Plain which provides specific challenges. With the high price of gasoline, commercial transportation has shifted towards increased use of rail. Due to this increased traffic on rail lines, the main line rail carriers have encouraged the end users to develop their own side rails and rail storage facilities. ALS, Inc.'s private client has maintained their own rail storage for several years, but contacted ALS, Inc. when those facilities required some significant upgrades.

The project included one main rail line which split into four different side rails closer to the facilities. ALS, Inc. professionals conducted the preliminary studies including survey, civil engineering and flood plain studies to be filed with Harris County. By the end of the project, close to a mile of new rail had been designed.

Andrew Lonnie Sikes, Inc. has been serving Harris, Fort Bend and the surrounding counties for more than 30 years. The professionals at ALS, Inc. have faithfully served a broad range of clients such as the Harris County Flood Control District, the Federal Emergency Management Administration, Dow chemical Corporation, ExxonMobil and a variety of developers and land owners.

Founder, Andrew "Andy" Sikes, PE, RPLS has also reached for new technology staying on the forefront of surveying and engineering for the past 30 years. He encourages his employees to continue seeking higher education and to serve the community. Andy himself has served three Texas Governors on the Texas Board of Professional Surveyors from 1987 thru 1999. He was also elected to the Board of directors of the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCEES). Recently, Mr. Sikes served the University of Houston as an adjunct professor of survey.

As a Fort Bend County resident, Mr. Sikes personally supports numerous community activities. ALS, Inc. is in the fourth year of providing survey services for Bike the Bend, an event that supports the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County. He and business partner and son, A. "Lonnie" Sikes II, PE, are active members of the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council and the Fort Bend County Chamber of Commerce.