Ryan Tinsley, M.S., P.G.
Client Services Manager and Senior Engineering Geologist
Ryan leads GeoStabilization Internationals' (GSI) and Access Limited Construction’s (ALC) project development in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. Ryan specializes in the development of geotechnical design-build solutions for slope stabilization, structure rehabilitation, rock fall mitigation, landslide remediation, and other ground improvement applications. Ryan has over twenty-five years’ experience investigating, evaluating, and remediating geohazards helping clients nationally navigate the risks of geohazards and minimizing impacts to their infrastructure. Ryan’s experience also includes technical oversight during emergency response remediation construction.Ryan has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from Radford University, Virginia and a Master of Science Degree in Engineering Geology from Kent State University, Ohio. He is a Registered Professional Geologist in Virginia.
US-340 Rockfall Mitigation Project – Wedged between 3 States, the Potomac River and the Blue Ridge
Mountains
The US 340 Rockfall Mitigation project, located in Jefferson County, WV, addressed critical rockfall
challenges in the Loudoun Heights region of Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park. This high-traffic
(>24,000 VPD) 2 lane corridor serving local, commuter, and truck traffic from and through West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. The corridor faces rockfall hazards due to cut slopes from 1950s construction and natural erosion along the Shenandoah River. The existing conditions pose threats to public safety, impacting emergency response times and requiring continuous maintenance by the West Virginia
Division of Transportation (WVDOT). Additionally, the Loudon Heights includes a trail network and
overlook at the top of the slope with access from the Appalachian Trail. Agency collaboration between
WVDOT, VDOT, MDOT, FHWA, and NPS were vital to the project planning and successful construction.
The project included a 22-mile detour involving routes in WV and VA as well as impacting traffic flows
into MD. Access Limited Construction (ALC), a geohazard mitigation specialist, collaborated with Triton
Construction, WVDOT, HDR Engineering (WVDOT’s engineer of record), Ice Engineering (WVDOT’s
inspection Team) and Infinite Engineering, respectively, to implement comprehensive rockfall protection
and stabilization measures. ALC incorporated safety and maintenance scaling techniques and
constructed advanced rockfall protection systems provided by GeoBrugg North America LLC on three
slopes along US-340. Access Limited teamed with Infinite Engineering, LLC. to complete final design of
rockfall systems. Rockfall slope drape, rockfall attenuator barrier, rockfall barrier, rock overhang removal
and localized rock bolting were strategically deployed to stabilize slopes and mitigate the risk of potential
rockfalls. The integration of technology, including horizontal drain installation, added an extra layer of
protection. The ALC and Triton Construction team ensured a seamless integration of geohazard expertise and construction proficiency. ALC completed approximately ½ mile of rockfall mitigation measures up to
300 feet above the roadway complimenting Triton’s efforts to resurface the project limits, complete
sign replacements and pavement markings all in less than 90 days. ALC successfully mitigated rockfall
risks along the vital US 340 corridor on an accelerated schedule to enhance public safety.