Dan Holzman

 Citing four years of delays, poor workmanship and quality controls and zero deliveries, SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) has terminated a $185 million contract with Chinese SOE (state-owned enterprise) CRRC (China Railway Rolling Stock Corp.) for 45 bilevel railcars for the agency’s Regional Rail lines. SEPTA so far had paid $50 million to CRRC CRRC bid $34 million below second-place Bombardier Transportation (now Alstom) and $47 million below Hyundai Rotem. ---"QA/QC is perhaps one of the strongest reasons to implement a "Buy America" provision." #infrastructure #rail #rollingstock #buyamerica

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The Federal Transportation Administration has agreed to provide the remaining $6.88 billion needed to fund the $16 billion Hudson Tunnel Project. This long-delayed and controversial infrastructure project could begin construction as early as this year, with work potentially starting in 2024. 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁:- ⏺️ Engineering News-Record (ENR): Feds Agree to Fund Final Piece of $16B Hudson Tunnel Project (https://lnkd.in/ehKecZ79) ⏺️ Gateway Program: Gateway in the News (https://lnkd.in/eQvhvzbG) These sources provide additional information about the project, the funding agreement, and the potential impact on transportation infrastructure in the region. #BuildingGreatTeamsTogether

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With almost 180,000 vehicles crossing every day, the #Kosciuszko #Bridge reconstruction needed to improve traffic flow and alleviate congestion. The original bridge was opened 77 years ago when the population and landscape of #NewYork was dramatically different.    WSP worked with the @New York State Department of Transportation throughout the design and construction of the new bridge, serving as engineer of record and owner’s engineer during two critical phases. The Phase 1 contract was #NYSDOT's largest ever and one of its first design-build contracts.   Two new state-of-the-art, cable-stayed bridges went up to service Queens and Brooklyn-bound traffic separately. The reconstruction also enhanced access for bikes and pedestrians with 20-feet-wide bikeways and walkways. The second span of the bridge opened for traffic in 2019 a full four years ahead of schedule.    Check out more of WSP’s impactful U.S bridge work https://lnkd.in/e6Fyva5d #transportation #bridges #bridgeengineering #innovation #engineering #design WSP in the U.S. #WeAreWSP

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one of the most interesting drilled shafts foundations I ever worked on.

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South Norwalk, Connecticut - Norwalk River/WALK Bridge under construction Inspection Train To New Haven. Full YouTube Video: https://lnkd.in/ebwcWzWR On Wednesday, June 12, 2024, MTA Metro-North Railroad operated an Inspection Train with wrapped heritage unit MNCW 217 (Penn Central/40th Ann), MNCW 5010 (Laser Train), and its 3 office cars. The cars are in fact old, one former New York Central and the other two former Lackawanna Railroad. The locomotives are contemporary models, but "wrapped" in the paint scheme of predecessor railroads. The train headed up the New Haven Line to New Haven, Connecticut, where the train then went around the loop for the return trip to Grand Central Terminal, giving railroad executives and management the opportunity to inspect many ongoing, completed, and needed improvements on the line. The Laser Train car (MNCW 5010) is one of two Comet IIIs (5009 is the other) purchased by the MTA for West-Of-Hudson service. After retirement, they came to the east side of the river. This car was equipped with The LaserTrain works by vaporizing ("laser ablation" of) leaf residue off of the rails throughout the system. The task of leaf removal had previously been done by MNR's "Water World" trains spraying water, which will still supplement for this task. During the autumn season, leaves falling on the tracks can cause "slip-slide" conditions when run over by trains, and are especially a problem for braking. Poor rail adhesion causes flat spots on train wheels, which requires the trains to be withdrawn from service for maintenance. The LaserTrain does this traveling at 60 miles per hour, while trains that spray water must travel much more slowly to be effective. Metro-North states that during the pilot test last in 2022, this car cleaned over 12,000 miles of track, which resulted in "the lowest wheel-true cost season on record". This colorful wrap was recently applied by MNR, with a leaf design decorating the car. More on the Laser Train at: https://lnkd.in/epHaDGyD Full resolution pics and prints: https://lnkd.in/e9TdPy8N Metro-North YouTube Playlist: https://lnkd.in/e_z5emMp Check out my website at: https://lnkd.in/e7Zan38Y Facebook post: https://lnkd.in/eefF5S-x Like and follow on - Facebook: https://lnkd.in/eM3NaUCt Instagram: https://lnkd.in/eUgC8qbn Flickr: https://lnkd.in/eMnXqm6U

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Incredibly #supportive of the effort by the State of #Maryland, #MDOT and #MdTA to #expedite the #procurement of the Francis Scott #Key #Bridge, and happy that there is interest in re-rebuilding the bridge including a pro bono offer from a contractor. The ENR states that the reconstructed Francis Scott Key Bridge will be “#cable_stayed bridge” and cites similarities between the Key Bridge and the new #Genoa Bridge (aka #Ponte #Mirandi) in Genoa, Italy, which was re-reconstructed in 15 months. While reconstruction can be similar, the two bridges are quite different in the following main characteristics: (1) The new Key Bridge will be #cable-stayed bridge vs the Genoa bridge reconstructed with #steel #box girders on #precast #piers, but still using the #existing #foundations. (2) The Key Bridge is over the Patapesco River while the Genoa Bridge is over land. (3) The maximum #span of the Genoa Bridge is 305 ft while the failed span of the Key Bridge is 1,200 ft. (4) The Old Genoa Bridge was demolished by explosives. This is hard to do over the Patuxent River. (5) There is great competition for materials and resources along the #Northeast #Corridor. This is not the case in Genoa, Italy. The new Genoa Bridge reconstruction benefited from “#accelerated #processes and #permitting,” which emphasizes that #collaboration is a key for the successful delivery of projects procured by #Alternative_Delivery. On a positive note, the contractor who submitted a pro bono offer, had the right mix concrete design that meet the 100-year service life on the Riyadh Metro project. Here is a link detailing the reconstruction of the Genoa Bridge: (Link: New Genoa bridge built in a record time of only 15 months after the fatal collapse in 2018 (structuresinsider.com) #keybridge #francis_scott_key_bridge #dali #baltimore #impact #crashprotection #vessel #impact #servicelife

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"This video shows how the Baltimore Bridge could have been saved. The video also shows that modern bridge code equations would have predicted that the collapse would have happened. Details are given about why the collapse happened and what could have been done to prevent it. A responsibility framework is also presented that can be used to prevent future collapses." https://lnkd.in/dRe3jaJt #structuralengineering #byggnadskonstruktion #structuralsafety #bärverkssäkerhet #byggteknik #bygg #byggbranschen #construction #samhällsbyggnad #civilengineering

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Concerned about the safety of local bridges? Don't be, say local engineering experts, including ATLSS Structural Engineering Research Center's Richard Sause. Read more about bridge safety and inspections here: https://lnkd.in/ei4mfeg5

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We are also encouraged that new tax guidance from the federal government will complement these environmental and economic benefits by lowering developer construction costs and ultimately reducing ratepayer impacts. We are encouraged by the new federal tax guidance that will ensure lower offshore wind project costs complement the environmental and economic benefits these projects can deliver to New England. New federal tax guidance supports cost-effective offshore wind projects in New England, benefiting both the environment and the economy. #offshorewind #offshorewindpower #offshorewindenergy #climate #climatechange #climateaction #ne4osw #environment #environmentaljustice

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#NYC #construction site deaths hit a decade low in 2023, but #injuries rose 25%. #DOB will enhance #safety campaigns and education https://lnkd.in/ePW6rN6 #Construction #ConstructionSafety #WorkplaceSafety #BuildingSafety #NYCConstruction #SafetyFirst #JobSiteSafety #InjuryPrevention #WorkerProtection #OSHACompliance https://lnkd.in/dkGHZTk8

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Huge sinkhole just occurred in along the Snew subway line No.13 under construction in the City of Chengdu, China.

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“Wow. That doesn’t look quite right. Or safe....” Those are the last words you want to hear from your engineer.  We came across the photo below on a recent job at Atlas. When evaluating a decades old building for a client, this stopped us in our tracks.  Our priority shifted quickly from evaluation to life-safety.  Since our specialty is in existing infrastructure, our work sometimes goes above and beyond simple engineering or repair design.  In our eyes, we are providing a service to the surrounding community by safeguarding the integrity of our built surroundings, no matter how intricate or demanding.  Fortunately, things are not always this bad. In fact, this is a rare event. But it does happen. Thankfully, I work with a team of professionals that can tackle the stickiest of problems and develop some truly creative solutions. We love what we do and are fulfilled by the impact that we have in our community. As for the situation below, the project now includes some immediate shoring and will ultimately move towards some much-needed repairs. What brings you a sense of purpose in your work? 

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A summary of the most telling testimony from the recent ENR committee hearing on #FERC Commissioner noms ⬇ Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-WY), asked Chang if she would support additional #naturalgas #pipeline infrastructure in New England. Chang affirmed she would, emphasizing the importance of reliable and affordable energy services. Barrasso also pressed for assurance of prompt action on LNG project approvals, and all three nominees expressed readiness to work on the topic, with See drawing a distinction between DOE’s LNG pause and FERC’s statutory responsibilities. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) also questioned Chang and Rosner about FERC’s authority to consider greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in its reviews. Chang clarified that her understanding of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) was that it “does not designate #GHG emissions as criteria for denying gas projects.” When asked if this means they wouldn't vote to deny a project based on emissions, both Chang and Rosner emphasized adhering to existing law. (An easier answer would have been “no.” 🤔 ) While they are both correct that the NGA does not include GHG emissions as criteria for project denial, what was left unsaid was that the public interest analysis baked into FERC’s certificate policy statement — under which the Commission outlines its analytical approach for approving pipelines — involves balancing a number of factors including a proposal's: market support economic benefits operational benefits competitive benefits, and *environmental impact* So while not specifically enumerated, Chang and Rosner could still technically weigh GHG emissions as a part of the environmental impacts and economic analysis by using the Social Cost of GHG tool, which monetizes GHG emissions. While Republican senators would have undoubtedly preferred more concrete assurances with respect to GHG analysis, they likely did not expect to get them. And considering the cost of delaying projects due to lack of quorum, the responses given are not likely to rise to the level of voting against these two candidates.

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Note: The comment period has ended for the draft connects2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the draft 2025-2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and the Air Quality Conformity Analysis (AQCA) Report. We will not be recording any further replies. Thanks to all who participated! When it comes to highway and road safety, we are not working alone! In our upcoming connects2050 transportation plan, we outline how we will work with PennDOT to use their existing safety tools. The Highway Network Screening Tool tells us what intersections and stretches of road have the most crashes. It also provides recommended changes for these areas. We can use this information when making decisions about where to direct our transportation funds. During the implementation of the plan, we will continue to work closely with PennDOT to make the best use of our shared resources.     Give us your thoughts about working with PennDOT in the comments below - we will record it as part of the official review. You can also Read the full plan and comment here: https://lnkd.in/eZcnY6qz  

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#MeetMBAMonday Introducing Principal Civil Engineer, Charles Lewis, Jr.! Charles has been involved in engineering and construction since the mid 1990s. His background includes heavy industrial related programs and projects ranging from power plants to military bases. Over his career, Mr. Lewis has varied experience throughout the design continuum, with leadership positions as a general contractor, program manager, and lead design professional prior to joining MBA in 2022. His experience ranges from commercial, industrial, institutional, heavy civil, municipal, water/wastewater, healthcare and various private clients in civil design and consulting. We asked Charles a series of questions to help you get to know him a little more. Check out his responses (and his favorite thing about MBA) below!: 1. If you could have lunch with any public figure who would it be? CL: Martin Luther King, Jr. 2. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? CL: Europe, to see the medieval castles. 3. What is something that most people don't know about you? CL: I took two years of Japanese in high school. 4. What is your favorite type of music to listen to while you work? CL: Anything Stevie Wonder. 5. What is your favorite thing about working at MBA? CL: The people & familial atmosphere. #MeetMBA #MBAInnovates #MBAEngineeredExcellence

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