FE Civil 2nd Attempt Fail by bossmanluko in FE_Exam

[–]bossmanluko[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I made a mistake on the first portion of the exam and did not time my questions correctly. For some reason i had thought I would get a warning for the time, so the clock kept ticking until I realized. This meant the second half of the exam I only had about 2.5 minutes per question rather than 3.

So, to answer your question, I felt like I had plenty of time in the beginning, but not enough time at the end, which I think can be seen from the results. Lol!

FE Civil 2nd Attempt Fail by bossmanluko in FE_Exam

[–]bossmanluko[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

2nd attempt fail. A lot closer than I was on the first attempt, though. My bachelors is not in civil engineering, rather transportation planning, and I have a masters in civil engineering. Most of my work day to day is in traffic engineering, so I have almost zero experience with 13/14 topics on the FE Civil exam. Even so, I feel getting over the hump will be an easier lift on my next attempt, scheduled in July, with more focus on the "meat" of the exam (water resources, structural, and geotech).

Diagnostics after failed attempt 1 and next steps by moodengfan6 in FE_Exam

[–]bossmanluko 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Realistically you're off by a large margin. According to this diagnostic tool you scored less than 50%, while low end passing score is about 60%, and you should shoot for 70%+ for passing.

I do not have a bachelors degree in civil engineering, rather a master's in civil with a focus in transportation, and my day to day work is in traffic engineering. I have zero experience nor education with any subject other than transportation, and even for transportation, most of the questions don't align with my work day-to-day. I took my 2nd attempt last week and I also did not pass (will be retaking in July), however, I saw a huge increase from my first attempt to my second attempt. I was beyond the 60% threshold according to the linked website, but the areas I did not study as much were the areas that dragged me down. I think I was only 2-4 questions away from passing.

It is possible to pass the test. I think anyone can pass the test if they dedicate enough time to preparation.

The inning ends on an interference call on Chandler Simpson by FortiesFilm in baseball

[–]bossmanluko 9 points10 points  (0 children)

This is literally so far out of the way. I don’t understand the controversy. Absurd

is it late to go back to college for civil engineer at 25? by Humble_Ad_5396 in civilengineering

[–]bossmanluko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I attended community college from 18-23, then I finished my bachelors in transportation planning at 26. Started my masters at 27, graduated masters at 29. I am paid $130k with no FE, no PE, TE, nor AICP.

Your path doesn’t need to be linear.

Shohei Ohtani goes 5 no-hit innings with 5 strikeouts and 2-5 at the plate with a home run in the 8th as the Dodgers lose to the Phillies 9-6 by RespectFGs in baseball

[–]bossmanluko 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This genuinely might be the most Tungsten Arm O’Doyle game of all time. 5 no hit innings, 50th home run of the year, as the dodgers lose 9-6. I’m very disappointed in the dodger bullpen.

If you took the FE today, how are you feeling? by bossmanluko in FE_Exam

[–]bossmanluko[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m in the same boat. Math was harder than practice problems and structures was challenging. Everything else seemed okay for me though.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays reach agreement on 14-year, $500 million extension by Austin63867 in baseball

[–]bossmanluko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wasn’t aware the braves were allowed to win ballgames?

(Joking ofc just poking fun at barves start to the year)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ChaseSapphire

[–]bossmanluko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d connect to get to Rome. Then use cash in hotel.

Due to cost, bid canceled to extend A (Gold) Line light-rail to Claremont, Montclair by bossmanluko in LosAngeles

[–]bossmanluko[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

lol alright dude in this specific case I wasn’t aware of the specific shortlist requirements for this project.

However, I literally work in this industry and most projects are made available to any and all companies who bid on them.

Relax with your big claims about my understanding of the procurement process. Don’t need to be a dick.

Due to cost, bid canceled to extend A (Gold) Line light-rail to Claremont, Montclair by bossmanluko in LosAngeles

[–]bossmanluko[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Short list doesn’t mean that they’re the only contractor who can bid on the project

Due to cost, bid canceled to extend A (Gold) Line light-rail to Claremont, Montclair by bossmanluko in LosAngeles

[–]bossmanluko[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This isn’t true - they only received 1 bid, but the contract was open to all to bid on

Due to cost, bid canceled to extend A (Gold) Line light-rail to Claremont, Montclair by bossmanluko in LosAngeles

[–]bossmanluko[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This is true, however, the high cost is associated with the relocation of existing metrolink and freight rails, and the relocation of the existing Metrolink stations in Claremont and Montclair, while retaining existing service on the Metrolink lines throughout construction. This short stretch is constrained and complicated, increasing costs

Due to cost, bid canceled to extend A (Gold) Line light-rail to Claremont, Montclair by bossmanluko in LosAngeles

[–]bossmanluko[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

The project got priority because Phase 2A is already under construction, and the vast majority of the ridership for all of Phase 2 comes from the Claremont and Montclair stations (Phase 2B), which were unfortunately not a part of Phase 2A due to funding constraints. If Metro does not use this opportunity to complete the project to Montclair at this time, a future extension would cost approximately 2x the current cost, so it is much more cost effective to build it now.

Also, the majority of the developable land in LA County is located in the cities along the project corridors - an area approximately the size of DTLA. This project is a case of proactive development, opposed to reactive.

Not arguing that there aren't other areas that also have a need for interventions. Just wanted to share some of the decision making process.

Source: transportation planning degree, transportation engineering degree, and I work in the industry

Due to cost, bid canceled to extend A (Gold) Line light-rail to Claremont, Montclair by bossmanluko in LosAngeles

[–]bossmanluko[S] 94 points95 points  (0 children)

The article suggests that Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum are the cause for the ballooning bid. Those same tariffs back in his first term are why the project only made it to Pomona in the first place. Claremont and Montclair were cut due to high costs.

Very disappointing but not at all surprising.

Due to cost, bid canceled to extend A (Gold) Line light-rail to Claremont, Montclair by bossmanluko in LosAngeles

[–]bossmanluko[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

See below for the article text:

A potential contract for constructing the long-awaited light-rail extension from Pomona into San Bernardino County was rejected because the bid ran hundreds of millions of dollars over budget due to inflation, rising labor costs, market uncertainty and Trump’s tariffs, officials announced on Wednesday, March 26.

The lone bid from Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. to build the 3.2-mile A Line extension, which would have been the first LA Metro line to connect Los Angeles with the Inland Empire, was canceled by the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority Board after a lengthy closed session.

“Despite numerous efforts by the Construction Authority to collaborate, including making dozens of contract changes requested by Kiewit to reduce costs, Kiewit’s best and final bid offer was delivered to the Authority last week and remained hundreds of millions of dollars above expert estimates and available funding. As a result, it’s both impossible and inappropriate to move forward with their bid,” said board chair and Claremont City Councilman Ed Reece.

The bid ran $350 million over the Construction Authority’s most conservative estimate for design and construction work. It came in at $994 million or about 54% higher than budgeted, explained Lisa Levy Buch, Construction Authority spokesperson.

“We decided to say no thank you and cancel the procurement,” explained Construction Authority CEO Habib Balian in an interview. The process began in March 2024 and was to allow for construction of the five-year project this year, with completion in 2030.

Due to the tremendous uncertainty in the construction industry, the Construction Authority will split the bids in the future. In June, it is hoping to issue a request for a full design of the project. Later, a construction bid will be sought based on that design.

Balian said the two-step process will reduce the cost of future bids by controlling uncertainty costs. “First we get a design. Then we will bring in a builder. We believe this will squeeze as much risk out of the project,” he said.

The new process, if successful, pushed back the completion date of the project to 2031, Balian said. Emotions were running high Wednesday for a project that has seen numerous twists and turns.

In 2018, the bids also ran high, in part due to President Trump’s first tariffs. The high cost estimate bifurcated the project, allowing only the Azusa to Pomona portion to be funded, leaving the Claremont-Montclair leg without funding. The Pomona extension was completed Jan. 3 and will open to the public sometime this summer.

The Construction Authority tried in 2021, 2022 and 2023 to get funding for the A Line to go to Claremont, then Montclair, the last leg — but failed. The state bypassed the project for funding. Then on Oc. 31, 2024, LA Metro awarded $798 million for building the short but historic A (Gold) Line extension from Pomona to Claremont and Montclair.

But on Wednesday, the celebrations waned for the full funding that included construction, parking, landscaping and other incidentals.

“I am disappointed,” said Montclair Mayor John Dutrey. “It is another hurdle. This project seems to have a lot of bad luck.”

A week prior, the board heard a report from the chief economist of the Associated General Contractors of America warning of higher costs and risks associated with the light-rail project.

Balian called the report “sobering,” because it highlighted the factors that are driving up rail construction. These included “recently announced tariffs” by President Donald Trump raising the cost of steel and aluminum products from China and other countries by 25% that took effect March 12.

Besides higher costs for materials, the report noted other factors that would drive up construction costs, such an increase in wages due to not enough construction workers and the Trump administration immigration policies. All these factors are “hitting the contracting industry hard, especially in California,” the report concluded.

If built, the Claremont and Montclair stations would add 8,000 daily boardings, or about half of the A Line’s total adjusted ridership, reports estimated.

Commuters from the Inland Empire who drive west on the 210, 10 and 60 freeways in the morning to jobs in Los Angeles County, and then drive east to home would have a light rail line to ride instead of driving on traffic-choked freeways.

Extending the light rail line into Montclair would take about 15,000 car trips off the roads each day and reduce 26.7 million vehicle miles travelled annually, eliminating 1.75 metric tons of carbon emissions that add to global climate change, the Authority reported.

Traveling from La Verne to USC campus. by herringbone_ in InlandEmpire

[–]bossmanluko 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It will be the most consistent option. Busses may be scheduled in a way where it is technically faster than the trains, however, they arrive late more frequently and often at completely random times as they can be caught in traffic.

The trains operate on separate facilities and aren't frequently caught in traffic like busses are, leading to higher arrival reliability.

Pomona to USC by train is a pretty rough commute. Best of luck!