Strength Below the Surface
Every successful project starts below the surface. By understanding ground conditions at the earliest stages, our geotechnical team helps clients avoid costly surprises and built with confidence. From foundation design to construction materials testing, we provide the data and insight needed to deliver safe, efficient, and lasting solutions.
Since its launch in 2020, our Geotechnical Division has grown into a trusted partner for municipalities, private developers, architects, and contractors alike. With our in-house testing lab, we provide faster turnaround times, reliable results, and hands-on guidance every step of the way.
In just five years, MBA Geotechnical has:
+ Supported hundred of projects across Alabama and the Southeast
+ Expanded our laboratory capabilities to provide comprehensive soil and materials testing
+ Grown our regional presence by adding field staff in Auburn and Huntsville, Alabama
+ Built a team of professionals dedicated to precision, care, and problem-solving
Projects in Action
From transportation corridors and municipal facilities to healthcare campuses and private developments, our geotechnical expertise is shaping communities large and small. Notable projects have included:
New CCRO Water Treatment Facility - Bruce Hamler Water Treatment Facility
MBA provided the geotechnical evaluation services for the new Bruce Hamler Water Treatment Facility in Rome, Georgia. The new state-of-the-art facility will be specifically engineered and constructed to remove a per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from the source water. The new facility is located in a flood plain and on an older dump side that will require a combination of deep and intermediate foundations for support. Construction is expected in 2026 or 2027 and overall cost is expected to exceed $200 Million.
Atlantic Aviation Expansion at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
MBA provided geotechnical and CMT services for the new hangar and terminal expansion for Atlantic Aviation on the north side of the Birmingham Airport. In addition to new building construction, the expansion will require a new aircraft and anew fuel farm. Due to the presence of soft compressible soils associated with local carbonate rock, the terminal building required drilled shaft deep foundations for support. Construction completion is expected in 2026.
These projects illustrate the critical role geotechnical services play in ensuring stability, safety, and sustainability from the ground up.
In Their Words
Joining MBA was the best decision of my professional career. The level of professionalism within all employees, from administration to the engineers, cannot be overstated. We have built the geotechnical division to match the reputation, the work ethic, and professionalism that MBA has provided the general community over the past 95 years, and we are looking forward to serving the community for the foreseeable future. --Drew Thornbury, P.E., Principal Director of Geotechnical Engineering
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate this five-year milestone, we are already preparing for what's to come. MBA remains committed to advancing our lab capabilities, deepening client relationships, and expanding our reach across the Southeast. With integrity and innovation at the core of everything we do, our team is prepared to continue building strong foundations - both literally and figuratively - for the next five years and beyond.
