Collins Engineers, Inc.

Building Tomorrow's Infrastructure, Today

Website

About the firm

Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Chicago, Collins Engineers is a multi-discipline civil and structural engineering practice specializing in transportation, marine, civil, and industrial projects. It pioneered the use of in-house certified engineer-divers to perform underwater structural inspections and marine project delivery from concept through construction. Collins Engineers serves state and local governments, federal agencies, railroads, transit systems, port authorities, and commercial clients across North America.

Established
1979
Firm type
Civil Engineering · Structural Engineering · Transportation Engineering · Marine Engineering

Credentials

IRATA Certification (rope access) · Certified Engineer-Divers · Certified Underwater Welders · Nondestructive Testing (NDT) Specialists

People

Chris ThriftProgram Manager, Regional Bridge Inspections

Capabilities

Civil Engineering

Service website

Transforms complex site challenges into functional, sustainable spaces with technical precision. Services support commercial, residential, institutional, and municipal developments across the country, managing projects from initial land-use analysis through final construction management.

  • Site Planning
  • Utility Design
  • Stormwater Management
  • Permitting
  • ADA Design
  • Consultant Coordination
  • Construction Administration

Waterfront Engineering

Service website

Provides underwater engineering, shipyard, marina, and fueling structure solutions. Specialist teams work above and below the waterline to inspect, evaluate, and design projects ranging from shoreline rehabilitation to new coastal facilities, managing every phase from underwater inspection to structural design.

  • Port Facilities Engineering
  • Marina Design and Engineering
  • Shipyards and Dry Dock Facilities
  • Fueling Structures
  • Dams
  • Underwater Structural Evaluations
  • Construction Engineering
  • Shoreline Rehabilitation
  • Specialized Inspection Services

Transportation Engineering

Service website

Supports design, inspection, and construction for transportation projects across all phases. Services help move people and goods safely by providing bridge, roadway, rail, and transit expertise to government and railroad clients.

  • Bridge Engineering and Design
  • Roadway Engineering
  • Rail and Transit Engineering
  • Structural Assessments
  • Construction Management and Inspection
  • UAS Inspection Services

Energy Facilities

Service website

Delivers comprehensive structural and civil engineering for offshore structures and inland renewable energy projects. Capabilities include inspections, refinery and renewable energy facility design, and waterfront and coastal structure asset management.

  • Offshore Structure Engineering
  • Refinery Design and Inspection
  • Renewable Energy Facility Design
  • Nondestructive Testing (NDT)
  • Confined Space Procedures
  • Rope Access Structural Inspections

Contractor Services

Service website

Partners with contractors to deliver construction-ready solutions that match the pace of the field. Services focus on speed, efficiency, and engineering excellence for temporary and permanent works.

  • Formwork and Shoring Design
  • Temporary Support Structures
  • Bridge Lift Engineering
  • Erection and Demolition Engineering
  • Alternative Delivery Support

Asset Management

Service website

Offers a proprietary, cloud-based infrastructure asset management platform. The software streamlines workflows, cuts costs, and extends asset life by managing assets, equipment, and maintenance schedules.

  • Cloud-Based Infrastructure Asset Management
  • Capital Improvement Plan Planning
  • Equipment and Maintenance Management
  • Data Analytics

Industries

Commercial · Retail · Healthcare · Parks & Open Space · Residential · Education · Government · Rail · Transit · Marine · Ports & Harbors · Renewable Energy · Oil & Gas · Power Generation · Research Facilities

Projects

The 606 - Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL · Parks & Open Space · 2015

Project details

Transformed an abandoned 2.67-mile Chicago railroad corridor into an elevated urban trail system connecting six neighborhood parks, creating a vital community resource since opening in 2015.

MBTA Bridge Inspections

Massachusetts · Transit · Client: MBTA

Project details

Provides bridge inspections and safety assessments across transit system corridors.

North Dakota DOT Bridge Inspections

North Dakota · Government · Client: North Dakota DOT

Project details

Delivers comprehensive bridge inspection and assessment services for state highway structures.

Port of Portland Inspections

Portland, OR · Ports & Harbors · Client: Port of Portland

Project details

Performs structural inspections and engineering assessments for port and energy facilities.