WW Turns Out PDB is Good for the Fish Too!

Turns Out PDB is Good for the Fish Too!

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM PST

Bell Harbor Conference Center
2323 Elliott Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

Pricing: $90 Non-Member | $65 Member | $20 Owner/YP

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WSDOT is in the process of implementing Progressive Design Build (PDB) on a couple of complicated Fish Passage projects. The agency has collected lessons learned from its first effort and is actively applying them to its second, continuing to successfully leverage the PDB delivery method. Recent legislative action gave WSDOT the ability to utilize Progressive Design-Build on its projects without needing prior approval. Join us in welcoming WSDOT leaders and learn about the complex circumstances they have tackled and their plans for PDB fish passages in the future.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about the significance and impact of Washington State’s Fish Passage repair/creation project.
• Learn about how WSDOT was successfully able to implement the Progressive Design-Build delivery method into the agency as an additional tool to address complex project challenges with budget and schedule limitations.
• Learn how WSDOT is leveraging its lessons learned from its first PDB projects and implementing best practices to pursue further success on future phases of this large, complex program

Speakers:

Kyler Kokenge, P.E., Assoc. DBIA, WSDOT Assistant Region Construction Engineer – Fish Passage

Kyler has spent the past four years managing WSDOT’s first and second Progressive Design-Build (PDB) projects focused on the removal of 58 fish passage barriers in the Olympic Region. Over nearly 15 years in state service, he has held a variety of leadership roles in design, construction, and hydraulic engineering management, gaining experience in both traditional and alternative delivery methods. In recent years, Kyler has focused on advancing WSDOT’s fish passage program through collaborative project delivery and innovative design approaches. He holds Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Forest Engineering and Civil Engineering from Oregon State University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Washington State.

Kim Rydholm P.E., WSDOT Fish Passage Delivery Manager

A 29-year veteran of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Kim is currently the agency’s Fish Passage Delivery Manager.  Kim has held positions and developed expertise in numerous disciplines, including environmental permitting and documentation, highway and bridge construction, and transportation project design.  She has spent the majority of her career focused on delivering WSDOT projects in both the design and construction phases as a Project Engineer.  For the past 9 years, Kim has been working exclusively on delivering WSDOT’s large fish passage program.  She has a bachelor’s degree in civil & environmental engineering from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN and she grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia, PA.