Page 24 - Sept-Oct 2025 Vol 43 No 4

TENNESSEE PUBLIC WORKS INSTITUTE By John Chlarson, P.E., C.P.M.
Construction Inspection in PW

The 2025 Construction Inspection to expediently check soils for proper
in Public Works Class of the Tennessee compaction and safety concerns.
Public Works Institute (TPWI) was Class instructors were Bryon Fortner,
held July 8-11, 2025, at the Tennessee Blaylock Construction; Shane Snoderly,
Association of Utility District’s (TAUD’s) City of Alcoa; John Eskew, the University
Training Station in Murfreesboro. of Tennessee Municipal Technical
Twenty-eight students attended the class, Advisory Service (UT-MTAS); Brad
representing municipalities and utilities Peters, UT-MTAS; John Chlarson,
from Memphis to Mountain City and UT-MTAS; Kenny Wiggins, UT-MTAS;
from Kingsport to Chattanooga. Chester Darden, Public Entity Partners
Class modules were: Basic Surveying; (PEP); Marcus Bartholomew, TN811;
Construction Inspection Overview; and Alan Sparkman, Tennessee Concrete
Project Preparation; Communication Association. This group of instructors very important for my job.”
and Documentation; Risk Management reflected a conscious effort by TPWI to “Instructors made the content
and Legal Review; TN811 for reach out and include a wide group of interesting. Instructors were
Construction Inspection; Earthwork subject matter experts, all of whom gave knowledgeable, friendly, and professional.
Soil Characteristics; Earthwork excellent presentations that were very well I learned a lot from this class.”
General Construction; Street and received. “Enjoyed attending the class. Learned
Surface Improvements; Excavation and The next TPWI class, Leadership and so many different things that I haven’t
Trenching Safety; Traffic Work Zone Administration in Public Works, is in encountered before, but feel it is going to
Safety; Confined Space Safety; Project November 2025. be very helpful in the future.”
Closeout; Water, Sewer, and Stormsewer The attendees are asked to complete
Construction, and Concrete Construction. evaluations at the end of the session. TPWI is a program of the Tennessee
Field exercises entailed using We appreciate the feedback (and the Chapter of APWA. You do not have to
instrumentation to run a leveling loop, compliments.) be a member to attend a class. You also
checking elevations, and learning about “Time well spent and eager to attend do not have to be a member to become
accurately measuring distances and other offerings by TPWI.” an instructor. Please reach out to John
methods for estimating distances. “Wonderful class full of important Chlarson or Klair Kimmey if you would
Other field exercises included learning information.” like to become more involved with TPWI.
the use of penetrometers and probes “I learned a lot of things that can be Email: info@tnpublicworks.com
24 TPW September/October 2025