Project FAQs

plan with confidence

Since 1993, Drexel, Barrell & Co. has delivered comprehensive transportation and traffic engineering services that help communities move safely, efficiently, and sustainably. Our team provides thoughtful planning, analysis, and design for roadway systems that balance mobility, safety, and long-term performance—supporting both public agencies and private development projects across Colorado. From early feasibility and traffic impact studies through final design and regulatory approvals, we take an integrated approach that aligns engineering solutions with real-world operational needs and evolving transportation demands.

Our capabilities span the full spectrum of transportation infrastructure, including street and highway design, intersection improvements, roundabouts, and advanced traffic signal systems. We specialize in safety-driven solutions such as Hazard Elimination Safety (HES) design, Safe Routes to School programs, and innovative pedestrian crossings including RRFB and HAWK beacons. Our experience also includes acceleration and deceleration lane design, pedestrian and bicycle trail systems, highway underpasses, and both vehicle and pedestrian bridge design—creating multimodal networks that enhance accessibility and connectivity for all users.

Drexel Barrell also provides critical support for agency coordination and permitting, including CDOT Highway Access Permits, utility tunneling and boring design, and railroad coordination. Our services are rounded out with detailed signing, striping, and pavement marking plans that ensure clarity, compliance, and safety on every project. By combining technical expertise with a practical understanding of how transportation systems function in the real world, we deliver solutions that improve traffic flow, reduce risk, and support the continued growth of the communities we serve.

Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) is a vital service that reduces risk and improves design accuracy by identifying and mapping underground utilities early in a project. At Drexel, Barrell & Co., we integrate our civil engineering expertise with advanced locating technologies, records research, and field verification to deliver reliable, survey-quality utility data. Our services include utility designation, vacuum excavation, conflict analysis, and coordination—helping clients avoid costly redesigns, minimize construction delays, and enhance overall project safety. By incorporating SUE into the planning and design process, we provide the clarity needed to make informed decisions and deliver infrastructure projects with greater confidence and efficiency.

At Drexel, Barrell & Co., our stormwater and drainage design approach is rooted in both technical expertise and a strong commitment to the communities we serve. We develop practical, cost-conscious solutions that effectively manage runoff through a combination of storm sewer systems and surface drainage improvements—always tailored to the unique conditions, constraints, and funding realities of each project. From early planning through final design, we prioritize collaboration with clients, stakeholders, and even local residents to better understand real-world drainage challenges and ensure our solutions address them. By combining detailed analysis, innovative thinking, accurate cost estimating, and seamless coordination with surveying, geotechnical, and environmental teams, we deliver resilient, constructible designs that minimize disruption, enhance safety, and provide long-term value for the communities they support.

At Drexel, Barrell & Co., our water resources services are grounded in decades of experience helping Colorado communities understand and manage the complexities of rivers, streams, and floodplains. We take a hands-on, collaborative approach—combining detailed hydraulic and hydrologic analysis with practical design solutions that protect people, property, and infrastructure. Whether supporting on-call municipal services or large-scale drainage and flood control projects, our team works closely with clients to evaluate existing conditions, identify risks, and develop resilient, cost-effective strategies that align with both regulatory requirements and real-world constraints.

From stream stabilization and floodplain mapping to drainage improvements and watershed planning, we focus on solutions that are not only technically sound, but also constructible and sustainable over the long term. Our integrated team of engineers and surveyors allows us to move seamlessly from data collection through design and implementation, reducing uncertainty and keeping projects on track. With a long history of partnering with cities and counties across Colorado, Drexel Barrell brings a responsive, client-focused mindset to every project—delivering water resource solutions that support safe, functional, and thriving communities.

At Drexel, Barrell & Co., our land surveying and GIS services are built on more than 70 years of experience supporting a wide range of clients—from private landowners and developers to financial institutions, municipalities, and state and federal agencies. We bring a deep bench of seasoned professionals, including licensed surveyors with decades of experience and skilled technicians proficient in the latest technology and software. With multiple fully equipped field crews and advanced tools such as GPS receivers, robotic instruments, and digital data collection systems, we deliver precise, reliable data for everything from boundary and topographic surveys to right-of-way, ALTA, and construction layout services. Our integrated approach—combining field expertise with in-house engineering and GIS capabilities—ensures seamless coordination, efficient project delivery, and the high level of accuracy our clients depend on at every stage of development.

At Drexel, Barrell & Co., our land development services are centered on turning ideas into well-planned, functional, and buildable projects that serve both our clients and the surrounding community. With decades of experience supporting public and private development across Colorado, we take a comprehensive, hands-on approach—guiding projects from initial site evaluation and surveying through design, permitting, and construction support. Our team integrates grading, drainage, utility infrastructure, access, and circulation planning into cohesive designs that are both practical and efficient, while aligning with local requirements and project goals. By combining engineering expertise with real-world constructability, detailed cost estimating, and close coordination between our in-house surveyors and engineers, we help clients navigate complexity, reduce risk, and confidently bring their developments to life.

At Drexel, Barrell & Co., our construction inspection, observation, and administration services are focused on carrying a project seamlessly from design into reality—ensuring that what is built in the field reflects the intent, quality, and precision of the plans. Because our team is involved from initial surveying and design through final construction, we provide a continuous level of oversight and accountability that helps minimize risk, control costs, and keep projects on schedule. Our engineers and inspectors work closely with contractors and stakeholders to monitor progress, verify compliance with plans and specifications, address issues in real time, and support bidding, documentation, and project closeout. This hands-on, start-to-finish approach allows us to deliver a higher level of quality control and coordination, giving our clients confidence that their project will be constructed accurately, efficiently, and with long-term performance in mind.

At Drexel, Barrell & Co., our construction surveying services play a critical role in bringing design plans to life with accuracy and confidence. Because our team is involved from initial surveying through engineering design, we provide precise construction staking and layout that ensures improvements are built in the correct location and at the proper elevations. Our surveyors work closely with engineers and contractors in the field, delivering real-time support and quality control throughout construction. This continuous connection—from design through staking to final as-built documentation—creates a seamless feedback loop that minimizes errors, improves efficiency, and ensures the finished project reflects the original intent. By combining advanced technology with decades of hands-on experience, we deliver construction surveying solutions that keep projects aligned, on schedule, and built right the first time.

At Drexel, Barrell & Co., we bring a deeply experienced and hands-on approach to educational projects, supporting K–12 schools and college campuses with thoughtful, well-coordinated civil engineering and surveying solutions. Our team understands that these environments require more than just functional design—they demand safe, efficient, and adaptable spaces for students, staff, and the broader community. From new school campuses and university housing to athletic facilities, site expansions, and campus infrastructure improvements, we provide comprehensive services that integrate grading, drainage, utilities, access, and circulation into cohesive, buildable designs.

We take pride in working closely with school districts, universities, and project stakeholders to address real-world challenges such as traffic flow, pedestrian safety, phasing around active campuses, and long-term growth. Our experience spans everything from detailed site design and entitlement through construction staking and administration, allowing us to maintain continuity and quality from concept to completion. Whether improving an existing campus or helping bring a new one to life, our goal is to deliver practical, cost-effective solutions that enhance the learning environment and serve students and communities for years to come.