The Ferrum Water and Sewage Authority is currently nearing completion of its water system improvements. The work includes replacing three old welded steel water tanks with two new glass lined, bolted steel tanks, installing approximately 11,000 linear feet of water main, and installing or replacing 8 fire hydrants on the system. The system upgrades, in planning for several years, will be operational this winter. The improvements will provide increased fire flow to the community and allow for stabilized system pressures through waterline construction and the separation of the storage tanks.

The Authority is also preparing for the anticipated residential and commercial growth in the community. Ferrum College has recently completed the construction of a new dormitory, equipped with a sprinkler system for fire protection. The College also revealed its new master plan which includes new residential housing units and commercial facilities.

The construction cost of the project was approximately $1.5 million and was largely funded by USDA Rural Development loans and grants and also through a Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission grant.

Carrie Wolter began considering engineering as a career in her freshman year of college and in very little time, began pursuing a career in transportation engineering. Carrie joined Anderson & Associates in June 2005, as a project engineer after working for the City of Roanoke, Virginia following her graduation from the University of Louisville, Kentucky.

"Transportation affects everyone, from a trip to the grocery store to traveling across the country," she says. "My work affords me the opportunity to have an impact on people’s lives by helping make their travels safer and easier."

There is no typical day at work for Carrie. Since joining A&A, she has worked hands-on with traffic studies, traffic analyses, signal designs, and roadway designs. She says, "I’ve enjoyed having such a variety of projects to work on in such a short time."