Celebrating 10 Years of ICE Teams!

As Bil Keane, creator of The Family Circus, famously said: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift from God, which is why we call it the present." The moral is to be present and attentive. Although on anniversary milestones, a little nostalgia is hard to avoid.

Founded in October 2016, ICE Teams is officially celebrating our 10-year anniversary. Looking back, it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come.

Humble Beginnings

We started in 2016 as a team of just four: Abdi Fatimi (an experienced, bold cost estimator), Tom Gott (the most knowledgeable construction scheduler I’ve met), Chris Wilson (a courageous and innovative estimator), and myself.

Our first major projects that year included the SR-28 FLAP Project and the Virginia Street RAPID Extension. While both brought memorable moments, SR-28 truly defined our trajectory.

SR-28 is a 2-lane road that circles Lake Tahoe. The project was being delivered via CMAR by the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT). The CMAR contractor used traditional construction methods, which meant staging equipment on the road to build the parallel trail. This approach would have severely blocked summer traffic and caused endless complaints. Chris Wilson came up with an innovative solution: build the project using barges on the lake and reach upward to build the trail. We hired a marine contractor to test the concept, and it worked brilliantly. It eliminated user disruptions, cut an entire season of construction time, and saved millions.

Differentiating Ourselves and Expanding

That kind of innovative thinking sets us apart. We weren't just producing independent cost estimates; we were consulting, bringing cost and time saving innovations to the table, and diving deep into project negotiations.

Our early clients included NDOT, Washoe County RTC, the City of Las Vegas, and the Utah Department of Transportation. They noticed the extra mile we went. Every single one of them used us on multiple projects, and all of them are still clients 10 years later!

2018: We made our first administrative hire, Sarah Chairez. She immediately revamped our website, helped craft our mission statement, and streamlined marketing so we could focus on clients.
2019: We added three more team members, including Kyle Norseth. Kyle's exceptional estimating and negotiation skills elevated our game, and today he serves as our President and CEO.
National Growth: That same year, we won our first project outside Nevada and Utah—a large freeway widening for the Colorado Department of Transportation. Word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients quickly fueled nationwide expansion. To date, we have provided ICE services across 26 states.

Looking Ahead

Why do our clients speak so highly of us? Because we are deeply committed to improving alternative delivery methods and putting their project goals first. Whether that means saving money, cutting time, or minimizing public impact.

The last 10 years have been a heck of a ride. I am profoundly grateful to our incredible employees and loyal clients. Here’s to another 10 years, and many more after that!

The Trolley Modernization Project is a transformative investment in Philadelphia’s light rail network. As part of SEPTA’s 12-year capital program, this initiative is designed to deliver safer, faster, and more reliable transit service while improving accessibility and expanding connections across the region.

With a projected program-wide value of approximately $1.8 billion, this multi-package effort touches every aspect of the trolley system, from maintenance facilities and track infrastructure to advanced train control systems.

Modernizing the Backbone of the System

The program includes three major components currently advancing through design:

Heavy Maintenance Facility (HMF): A new 19-acre facility at 5100 Grays Avenue will serve as the central hub for SEPTA’s incoming ADA-accessible light rail fleet. The facility will include inspection and overhaul shops, a train wash, traction power systems, test tracks, and supporting yard infrastructure. The HMF will be built in phases to maintain operations. After completion, it will ensure the new fleet is properly maintained for decades to come.

Green Line Tunnel – CBTC System Replacement: In the heart of Center City, SEPTA is replacing legacy signal infrastructure in the Green Line tunnel (15th to 40th Street) with a modern Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) system. This upgrade introduces advanced train control technology that improves safety, increases operational flexibility, and prepares the system for higher-capacity service. By modernizing the tunnel’s core systems, SEPTA is laying the groundwork for a more resilient and efficient transit network.

T5 – Elmwood & Eastwick Corridor Modernization: Spanning from the 40th Street Portal to the Eastwick Loop, the T5 package focuses on replacing aging track, platforms, power, and communications infrastructure. When complete, Southwest Philadelphia riders will experience upgraded stations, improved reliability, and infrastructure designed to support the new low-floor, accessible fleet.

ICE Teams’ Role

Innovative Contracting & Engineering (ICE Teams) is providing constructability reviews at the 30%, 60%, and 90% design stages for each package.

Our team is working alongside designers and project partners to ensure that what is drawn on paper can be efficiently and safely built in the field. This includes:

Reviewing phasing and sequencing strategies,

Identifying coordination gaps between disciplines,

Evaluating access, staging, and installation feasibility,

Supporting comment resolution and bid readiness.

Across more than 330 constructability comments on the T5 package alone, our team has improved clarity, reduced construction risk, and strengthened alignment between design, cost, and schedule.

Why It Matters

Public transit systems are more than infrastructure, they are economic lifelines. The SEPTA Trolley Modernization Program supports:

Improved accessibility with ADA-compliant vehicles and platforms,

Increased safety and reliability through modern control systems,

Expanded service capacity to meet future demand,

Long-term resilience through upgraded facilities and infrastructure.

By addressing constructability early in design, ICE Teams helps position this multi-billion-dollar program for smoother delivery, fewer surprises during construction, and stronger cost and schedule certainty.

As SEPTA redefines the future of light rail in Philadelphia, we are proud to support a program that enhances mobility, strengthens communities, and prepares the system for the next generation of riders.

ICE Teams is made up of individuals who bring unique experiences, dedication, and a passion for their work. One of those individuals is Addison Halverson, whose background in engineering, construction management, and project scheduling brings valuable expertise to the team.

Addison grew up in Southern California before moving to Colorado during high school. He later attended the Colorado School of Mines, where he studied civil engineering while working full-time to help put himself through college. After graduating during a challenging job market, he began his professional career in accounting before eventually pursuing his interest in construction.

Addison began his construction career at SEMA Construction, gaining hands-on experience as a project engineer and project manager. Working alongside experienced superintendents and foremen helped him develop a strong understanding of field operations, while his accounting background provided valuable experience in project finances and contract management.

As his career progressed, Addison was offered the opportunity to transition into project scheduling. Initially hesitant to specialize in one area, he agreed to a six-month trial period and quickly discovered a passion for the work. He went on to manage scheduling and contract responsibilities for projects across Colorado, Texas, and Florida.

Since joining ICE Teams, Addison has focused on strengthening the company's scheduling practices, improving review processes, and incorporating constructability considerations earlier in project planning. He works closely with the estimating team to align project schedules with construction sequencing, milestones, and overall project goals.

Looking ahead, Addison is excited to help expand ICE Teams' capabilities in project controls, risk management, and alternative delivery methods, contributing to the company's continued growth.

Outside of work, Addison enjoys spending time with his wife, Norma, and their two daughters. He is an avid Formula 1 fan and enjoys driving his Corvette, attending car shows, and gaming. Family is an important part of his life, whether they're traveling together or spending weekends cheering on his youngest daughter at softball games.

Addison's diverse experience, collaborative mindset, and commitment to growth make him a valuable part of ICE Teams, and we're excited to see his continued contributions to the team.

Alternative Delivery Consulting Services (PDB, CMGC, CMAR, DB, P3)
Alternative Delivery Processes Training
Independent Cost Estimating (Production-Based Cost Estimating)
Critical Path Scheduling Using Primavera P6
Constructability Reviews
Risk Management/Mitigation
Innovation in Construction Techniques
Negotiation
Change Order Reviews

We love what we do! We have a passion for finding creative approaches to construction. We are constantly looking for innovative construction techniques to add value to the projects we are working on. Our team has found ways to reduce schedule and/or construction costs on every project we have worked on to date!

Innovative Contracting & Engineering (ICE) is a team comprised of former contractors and professional engineers who have a thorough understanding of market fluctuations, pricing trends, construction strategies, and innovations. Our experience working on alternative delivery projects across the United States has provided our team with a tool bag full of industry best practices. Construction cost estimating and scheduling is our primary focus. This focus is how we stay current on construction trends and price changes, and that helps us produce more accurate estimates than our competition. We have a passion for finding creative approaches to construction. We are constantly looking for innovative construction techniques to add value to the projects we are working on. Our team has found a way to reduce schedule and/or construction costs on every project we have worked on to date! ICE works closely with our clients to improve the quality of their most challenging projects.

Past Newsletters:

Quantity Reconciliation: Best Practices for Alternative Delivery Success

NO MORE! Death by a Thousand Cuts: Managing Redundancy in Estimates

Save Money with Smart Equipment Choices on Long Projects

Alternative Delivery Offramp

How AI Can Help Make Construction Projects Run Smoother

Innovations are NOT “Negative Risks.”

CMGC or PD-B: Choosing the Right Delivery Method

Are Blue Book Equipment Rates Appropriate for use on Alternative Delivery Projects?

Free Tools! - Innovations Tracking

Pareto’s Principle and Concept Cost Estimates

Meeting Project Risks & Challenges