Meet the Team
UIG’s project leadership brings a strong foundation of experience and operational excellence to South Carolina’s transportation infrastructure. Michael Gantt, Engineering Controls Officer, has dedicated 16 years to heavy civil construction, developing deep expertise in engineering oversight and construction workflows. Working alongside him is JB Fangous, a seasoned project manager who is currently leading the SC-160/I-77 interchange—a high-stakes, multi-bridge project located in the growing hub of Fort Mill, SC. Together, they represent UIG’s commitment to precision, efficiency, and innovation in the field.
What UIG Builds—and How
UIG (United Infrastructure Group, Inc.) is a self-performing civil contractor that handles every stage of complex DOT projects across the Southeastern U.S. The company’s in-house teams take on everything from heavy grading to bridge construction and traffic control, giving them full control over schedules, safety, and quality. With a focus on state and municipal roadway work, UIG is often tapped for high-impact infrastructure projects where coordination, accountability, and risk mitigation are critical.
Why DatuBIM Became Essential
Before turning to digital construction intelligence, UIG relied on conventional tools and labor-intensive workflows. The team manually performed cross-section takeoffs for quantity tracking—an approach that slowed down billing cycles and left room for discrepancies. Traffic phase overlays were handled through Bluebeam, which, while useful, lacked the spatial intelligence needed to visualize field conditions at scale. Additionally, survey cycles were lagging behind field progress, making it difficult to validate work in time for pay applications or keep pace with real-time decision-making.
These bottlenecks became especially painful on complex, phased projects like SC-160/I-77, where multiple structures, shifting traffic routes, and tight right-of-way constraints left no room for error.
A Turning Point: Finding the Right Fit
The breakthrough came when UIG was introduced to DatuBIM through a joint venture partner already using the platform on another heavy civil project. What caught UIG’s attention was the solution’s ability to offer volumetric calculations and photogrammetric documentation in a format tailored for construction—not just survey.
Unlike traditional GIS or CAD software, DatuBIM offered field-aligned functionality, including automated cut-and-fill calculations, phase tracking, and a visual timeline of progress. For UIG, the platform represented more than a tech upgrade—it was a way to move from reactive verification to proactive oversight.
Today, DatuBIM is a critical part of UIG’s digital workflow. From early earthwork operations to bridge deck pours, the platform gives project managers, engineers, and executives a shared, measurable view of the jobsite—enabling faster billing, fewer disputes, and tighter alignment with DOT expectations.
Implementation on the SC-160/I-77 Interchange: From Flights to Financial Wins
The SC-160/I-77 Interchange in Fort Mill, SC, is no ordinary job. With multiple bridge structures, evolving traffic patterns, and high visibility from the DOT, this project demanded more than just boots on the ground—it required eyes in the sky and intelligence on the screen.
UIG made DatuBIM a core part of their workflow early on, using the platform to digitize progress tracking, validate work, and drive smarter, faster decisions.
Turning Drones Into Daily Insights
Every week, UAVs fly the project, capturing high-resolution data that DatuBIM transforms into measurable 3D models. These aren’t just pretty visuals—they’re working tools. UIG overlays upcoming phases in DatuBIM to proactively check constructability issues, especially in constrained traffic zones. It’s become a digital rehearsal room for what comes next.
That foresight has proven critical. “We use DatuBIM to plan work before committing resources,” said JB. “In traffic control, if you’re off by a foot, it can blow the whole phase. This helps us see problems before they’re problems.”
Clearing Doubt—and Earning Revenue
One of the most impactful use cases came when JB used drone data to verify initial site clearing. The DOT estimated 21.6 acres of grubbing, but DatuBIM’s area analysis showed 42 acres had actually been cleared. That difference translated into over $210,000 in billable work—revenue UIG would’ve otherwise missed.
“there was no back and forth,” JB recalled. “We showed them the imagery and the acreage report. There was no debate.”
Verifying Work, Avoiding Disputes
Today, UIG uses DatuBIM as a truth layer for subcontractor oversight. Drone data validates crushed concrete quantities, borrow pit volumes, and even helps catch over- or under-delivery in real time.
“We don’t have to walk the site with a clipboard to know what work was performed,” said Michael Gantt. “If a sub claims 3,000 tons, we check the model. If it’s off, we have proof—not just an opinion.”
A Collaborative Relationship That Actually Works
From the start, UIG treated Datumate not as a vendor but as a development partner. “We want to give feedback that doesn’t disappear into a black hole,” said Michael. “And with Datumate, it doesn’t. We see changes based on what we ask for.”
“It’s not just about fixing bugs,” he said. “They’re building tools for how we actually work.”
This engineering-first approach set Datumate apart. “Other vendors make you feel like one in a thousand,” JB added. “With Datumate, you feel like a core user.”
Real ROI: Faster Billing, Bigger Revenue, Smoother Projects
The results speak volumes. UIG reduced billing cycles from weeks to days. By generating precise, visual data, they eliminated back-and-forth on pay apps and cut disputes at the source. “Now we bill with confidence,” said Michael. “There’s no more rounding or estimating—it’s just the facts.”
The clearing & grubbing discovery became a company-wide case study, showing the real dollar value of visual verification. And it didn’t stop there—drone-based monitoring replaced manual audits, saving labor hours and removing guesswork from subcontractor oversight.
Earning DOT Confidence—One Report at a Time
Perhaps one of the most subtle yet powerful benefits has been DOT trust. “We present the report, they see the images, and they sign off,” said JB. “It’s hard to argue with visual truth.” That credibility helps UIG stay aligned with agency expectations and reduces the friction that often comes with misunderstandings between the contractor and owner’s representatives.
Tech as a Differentiator in Competitive Markets
Beyond the project site, DatuBIM is giving UIG a strategic edge. The ability to share time-stamped, progress-verified visuals in proposals and meetings signals something clear: this is a contractor that leads with precision and transparency.
Conclusion: Building Smarter, Not Just Faster
UIG’s journey with DatuBIM isn’t just a tech success story—it’s a model for what modern infrastructure delivery can look like. By pairing drone data with construction intelligence, they’ve created a system where every yard is measured, every phase is visualized, and every dollar is backed by digital proof.
It’s not about replacing experience—it’s about enhancing it.
For contractors juggling complex phases, subcontractor alignment, and DOT accountability, DatuBIM offers more than 3D views. It delivers clarity. It earns trust. And it gives teams the control they need to deliver flawlessly.
Because when the right technology is paired with the right people, the job doesn’t just get done—it gets done smarter.