We did it! It has officially been one year since we started our civil division! We thought it best to ask our civil production manager, Levi Nyberg, to respond to our questions about Highline’s first year doing civil work. Though we’ve all been a part of the journey, Levi has been in the thick of it, and we’re extremely grateful for all he has done, and all he continues to do, to make Highline successful in our commitment to our clients, our employees, and the community. Here’s what Levi had to say…

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Q: Which projects have been some of the highlights so far?

Levi: The culvert project we did for Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group was a fun and unique one. It combined multiple trade skills all completed by our team on one project. Also, the Redi-Rock retaining walls we did on and near Lake Whatcom ended up looking very cool. So much of our work happens underground and ends up out of sight. It’s nice to have projects where the finished products are so visible.  

Our team installing a large culvert in Rockport, WA in partnership with Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group

Q: What have been some of the biggest challenges?

Levi: Finding the balance of adding the right amount of work, equipment, and new crew members in the first year has been a bit of a challenge, but I'm very happy with where we have ended up. From a project standpoint, there is a particular residential project that has been challenging. The combination of a site with limited space, previous contractors having done unknown and questionable work on site before us, poor soil conditions, and being on Lake Whatcom all added up to a site that was less than ideal. It will feel good to have that one done. We’re almost there.

Q: Our civil team has tripled in size from its inception. How would you describe the crew we have and what has been your strategy in terms of finding the right fits for the team?

Levi: Our crew has come to Highline with a well-rounded set of skills running the full range of civil construction, including: mass excavation, utility work, concrete, trucking, environmental restoration, and more. Having such a variety of experience on our crew allows us to take on multiple different types of projects. In finding the right people to add to our crew, I think it's important to look at more than just their skill set and hire employees that will help, support, and uplift their teammates. 

“In finding the right people to add to our crew, I think it's important to look at more than just their skill set and hire employees that will help, support, and uplift their teammates.”

Q: We haven't just grown in people, but also in equipment. Tell our readers about some of our coolest toys.

Levi: This spring we added a John Deere 85G excavator with Engcon Tiltrotator. This machine and its attachments allow us to grade virtually any slope from one spot without having to constantly move the excavator. It's equipped with multiple buckets for digging, a grapple for demolition work or handling rocks or logs, and even a set of forklift forks, making it an all terrain tracked forklift!

Left: Breaking in our new John Deere 85G excavator with Engcon Tiltrotator to install a Redi-Rock retaining wall

Right: view of the wall from a distance

Q: What's next for our civil team? Where do you hope we will be a year from now and are there any particular projects or milestones on the horizon you are excited about?

Levi: Over the next year, I hope for us to possibly add another crew member, and update and add several pieces of equipment. I want to avoid growing too rapidly and instead focus on doing quality work on each and every project for our clients. If we do that, the growth will come naturally. 

Q: Is there anything you feel sets our civil team apart? Why are people choosing to go with Highline for their projects? What makes us special?

Levi: I feel that attitude is one of our strongest selling points. Nobody wants a grumpy crew working at their home or jobsite. Providing a quality product and doing it with a smile might seem like a simple idea, but it's one that there is far too little of. 

“Nobody wants a grumpy crew working at their home or jobsite. Providing a quality product and doing it with a smile might seem like a simple idea, but it's one that there is far too little of.”

Q: If you were to summarize our civil division's first year in three words, what would they be?

Levi: What. Just. Happened? Really, it's more like: Strength, Skills, Attitude. I believe we came through the first year with the strength to take on the jobs we did, the skills to do them well, and the attitude to do them right.  

Q: Anything else you'd like to share?

Levi: I'm looking forward to what the next year will bring, and the next after that. I think that by continuing to offer quality services with a good crew, it will be hard to go wrong.