TYLin News + Views Issue Two 2023

News + Views

IN THIS ISSUE: ADVANCING MOBILITY INNOVATION + DELIVERY

TO News + Views!

News + Views is the official newsletter of TYLin Group. TYLin Group is a globally recognized, full-service infrastructure consulting firm committed to providing innovative, cost-effective, constructible designs for the global infrastructure market. With 3,000+ employees working in 60+ offices throughout the Americas, Asia, and Europe, we provide support on projects of varying size and complexity.

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Advancing Mobility Innovation + Delivery

As communities face a generational shift in mobility use, technology, and infrastructure, emerging and sustainable solutions are needed for moving people and goods.

Cities are envisioning a more sustainable and equitable future where communities experience a higher quality of life. To achieve this vision, motorized vehicles need to be reduced or replaced with cleaner, more efficient public transport and alternative transportation systems. Mobility planning is central to this transformation – especially as urban populations grow worldwide.

When TYLin Group launched OneMobility, we committed to helping clients develop smarter cities with more connected solutions for urban infrastructure. Building on our expertise in transportation, this practice includes all modes of transport and how these modes are planned, constructed, and expanded in new or existing built environments.

“We deliver leading-edge thinking and real-world implementation across all aspects of the physical, environmental, and digital mobility networks,” says Megan Huff, PfMP, TYLin Vice President Mobility Systems.

For example, transit agencies across the U.S. are looking to transition their fleets from fuel-powered to battery-operated vehicles. We are currently leading the switch to battery electric bus (BEB) and hydrogen fuel cell electric bus (FCEB) service for the RTC-SNV Facilities Master Plan and Zero Emission Fleet Project , working closely with the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada. The strategy will provide air quality, health, and economic benefits.

Meet OneMobility

OneMobility is an alliance of transportation experts from TYLin, Sam Schwartz , A TYLin Company, and GPO Group, A TYLin Company, and Introba, leaders in living systems for the built environment.

Our combined experience in conceiving and delivering complex mobility projects is grounded in a common goal: making a difference in our local communities.

“Our mobility planners, designers, and engineers are thought leaders with a passion for enhancing the places where people live, work, and play,” says Huff. OneMobility’s end-to-end solutions fall under the following categories.

Integrated Mobility Rendering (Image credit: TYLin’s AVGroup)

Bangor Area Comprehensive Transportation System (BACTS) Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation Planning

We are working with BACTS to document and provide a shared vision for developing a safe and functional active transportation network of pedestrian and bicycle facilities and amenities. These plans will guide policy for short, medium, and long-term system improvements that benefit local communities in and around Bangor, Maine.

INTEGRATED MOBILITY

We plan and deliver a wide array of multimodal urban mobility integration projects, including Comprehensive Corridor Improvements, Active Transportation, Public Transit, Shared Transport, Vision Zero/Safe Systems, and Congestion Management/Tolling. Projects include:

King County Metro Microtransit Service Microtransit involves small-scale, ondemand public transit services that use vans and buses. We partnered with Ford Smart Mobility on a micro-transit pilot project in Washington that included developing a performance monitoring dashboard to track and visualize dozens of performance metrics and facilitate project learning and service evolution.

Dubai Airport UTM System

We are evaluating Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV) Management (UTM) technology and infrastructure for the government of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Our work includes identifying high-level software and hardware requirements that will allow continuous Air Traffic Management System services while ensuring safe, secure access to airspace for UAVs and drones.

ADVANCED MOBILITY

Beyond theory, we are leaders in the application of emerging technologies, such as Autonomous/Connected Vehicles, Urban Robotics, Vertical and/or Short Take-off and Landing (VTOL/STOL)/Aerial Technology, Zero Emissions, NextGen Hi-Speed Transport, and Advanced Parking Technology.

Advanced Mobility projects include:

Communication-Based Train Control for New York City Transit’s 8th Avenue Line

We are overseeing a full signal modernization to improve service reliability for users. Work includes installing, testing, and commissioning communication-based train control (CBTC) technology along with seven remote CBTC health check locations and two solid state interlockings.

Sant Joan Despí – Sant Boi de Llobregat segment of the Madrid Barcelona - French Border High-Speed Rail Line: High-speed rail systems are growing in use and demand around the world. Our experts provided construction supervision services for this segment in Spain’s Delta del Llobregat area. We also continue to support the California High-Speed Rail Authority with the planning and execution of their statewide intercity high-speed train system.

St. Lucie County Transit Operations Analysis & New Mobility Planning

Since urban form and land use patterns deny fixedroute transit services in this fast-growing Florida region, we analyzed current performance and explored the potential for emerging technologies. Deliverables included precise observations and recommendations to guide improvements to existing services and the development of future transit initiatives.

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

We provide strategic direction, community insight, and new models for integrating technology, data, and systems that result in practical solutions. These include Smart Cities, Transportation Masterplanning, Automation, Digital Transformation, Data-as-a-Utility, and Mobility as a Service (Maas).

Sample projects:

HoloRail Augmented Reality Train Dispatcher Interface

After winning a grant from the Transportation Research Board to pilot a new concept for train movement management, we built and tested a proof-of-concept Augmented Reality (AR) dispatch program. Called HoloRail, this interactive, space-saving technology allows dispatchers to manage train movement via a track layout superimposed on their existing setting while still seeing and hearing what happens around them.

Washington, DC Carbon Neutrality Framework

The District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment retained us to develop a strategy that builds on past energy planning work and provides a pathway to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Potential strategies targeted building retrofits, building and vehicle electrification, and waste management to reduce citywide carbon emissions.

HEALTHY, EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES

Social equity and livability in urban environments are predicated on access. These solutions focus on Equity, Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resilience.

Project examples include:

“Technological advancements are changing how modern transport enables people to travel, from electrification and automated driving to aerial mobility,” adds Huff. “We help clients to better understand the customer journey, today and in the future. Then, we improve the design of the travel experience in a way that benefits the users, the local communities, the environment, the agencies, and cities at large.”

Seismic Retrofit Design of Underground Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and MUNI Stations

As part of the program to upgrade vulnerable portions of the original BART system, we led the seismic retrofit design of four underground stations in San Francisco and Oakland, California. The projects enhance system safety and reliability during seismic events.

Megan Huff, PfMP, TYLin Vice President Mobility Systems

(Image credit: TYLin’s AVGroup)

Rehabilitation of Iconic Buffalo Central Terminal

BUFFALO, NEW YORK, USA

After a lengthy procurement process, TYLin has been selected with Quinn Evans Architects by the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation to conduct the initial design phase of a USD 61 million effort to bring basic functionality back to the iconic Buffalo Central Terminal.

Located in Buffalo, New York, the 1929 Art Deco train station is a magnificent icon of the “Golden Age of train travel.” The massive structure presents 523,000 square feet of programmable space and is intended to be ready for final redevelopment within four years.

Quinn Evans Architects from Detroit, Michigan, chose Silman, A TYLin Company, for structural engineering services. They will oversee work that includes structural repairs, environmental remediation, and interior and exterior improvements. Among the highlights: the repair of the Guastavino tile ceiling in the concourse, which is possibly the largest space ever produced by the New York City masonry company, known for its beautiful, vaulted interiors.

When these initial repairs are done, the terminal could be available for public events on a limited basis. In the meantime, a call for developers has already been issued, and it is expected that private partners will be selected next fall. The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation will remain the property owner and offer a long-term lease or joint partnership.

The master plan for the area, which envisions close connections to the surrounding Broadway Fillmore neighborhood, calls for the grounds to be readied for sports, picnics, small activities, and large community events. The Central Terminal is seen as a major component to spur new housing, workforce opportunities, and business development in the Broadway Fillmore neighborhood. The final tab for full restoration is estimated to cost between USD 276.5 million and USD 296.5 million.

The circa 1929 Buffalo Central Terminal in Buffalo, NY.

Two Term Agreements with NYSOPRHP

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, USA

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP) selected TYLin as the prime consultant for a term agreement for Professional Engineering Design Services for the Upstate Capital Districts. TYLin’s long-time partner, The LA Group, secured the corresponding Landscape Architecture term agreement, for which we will provide structural and civil engineering and architectural support.

Both term agreements are 5-year contracts. Among the many potential project types, the engineering term agreement could include utility design and upgrades, storm drainage and stormwater management, waterfront designs, shoreline protection, roadway improvements and infrastructure, multi-use trail design and rehabilitation, and building structural design. The landscape architecture term has the potential to include recreational facilities, green infrastructure, waterfront design, shoreline protection and restoration, multi-use trails, and playground design, among others.

To help secure these agreements, we touted our extensive prior experience with NYSOPRHP at

Niagara Falls State Park, including the USD 65 million, award-winning Transformation Initiative and the USD 40 million Visitor Center project. Our proposals highlighted TYLin’s strengths, such as:

Our intimate understanding of park operations and capital facilities

A proven ability to successfully manage and collaborate with large project teams

Examples of innovative designs and creative solutions

The ability to design within the context of natural environments

Our depth of staff

Our expertise in designing within budgets and established deadlines

Silman, A TYLin Company, was noted in our engineering term proposal for their renowned structural engineering and historical preservation experts, all fully integrated with TYLin.

TYLIN’S CONTINUOUS INVOLVEMENT AT NIAGARA FALLS STATE PARK HAS EARNED NYSOPRHP’S RESPECT AND CONFIDENCE.

Inner Loop North Transformation

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, USA

The City of Rochester, New York, is embarking on an exciting project to remove and transform what remains of a divisive urban expressway, the Inner Loop North (ILN). As a subconsultant, TYLin will provide designs related to public utilities and areaways, as well as bridge architecture with a signature gateway.

The project will convert 1.5 miles of the ILN into a boulevard accessible to all modes of transportation while restoring the city’s street grid. The ILN’s travel lanes, service roads, and on- and off-ramps will be consolidated into at-grade, traffic-calmed city streets, incorporating auxiliary turn lanes and on-street parking as needed.

The goal is to ensure dedicated pedestrian and bicycle facilities throughout the corridor, promoting safety for all users. The project also aims to create a transportation network that caters to everyone, reconnecting neighborhoods to downtown Rochester while providing equitable opportunities for redevelopment and green space.

The project is expected to involve a substantial amount of planning and design related to both public and private utilities, including significant utility coordination, modification, and redesign. Anticipated challenges include bridge removals, drainage, sewer, and other utilities.

TYLin’s strong understanding of the City’s areaway policies and procedures, as well as the complexities of areaway abandonment and design processes, were important qualifications for the project. Our use of context-sensitive design for gateway structures also played a key role in securing the project. As part of the project, a new bridge superstructure will be constructed, featuring a signature gateway for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.

The project is expected to begin in August, with construction completed in 2028.

Prequalification for MaineDOT PM + CM Categories

FALMOUTH, MAINE, USA

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has prequalified TYLin for six categories under a department-wide General Consultant Agreement (GCA) program for construction support, fabrication inspection, intelligent transportation systems inspection, and materials testing/inspection.

TYLin has been prequalified to provide in:

Highway Construction Inspection, Management, and Support Services

Bridge Construction Inspection, Management, and Support Services

Marine Facilities Inspection

Rail Facilities Inspection

Building Inspection Materials Testing/Inspection

TYLin has held GCA contracts with MaineDOT for more than 12 years. However, this is the first time we have been prequalified in so many categories — a testament to our expanding Program Management + Construction Management (PM + CM) practice area. GCAs are issued for a period of five years, and our expanded staff is already being assigned.

TYLin will provide CM services under the latest MaineDOT GCA program.

GCS Agreement with City of Bath, Maine

BATH, MAINE, USA

The City of Bath, Maine, has selected TYLin for a General Consulting Services (GCS) Agreement to provide civil site engineering and transportation and traffic engineering for the next three years.

As part of this agreement, we may be called upon to provide traffic studies, peer review of traffic permits, traffic signal design, geometric design, striping plans, construction management for traffic signal design, support for in-house designs related to transportation issues, and analysis and design for traffic-calming efforts.

Work tasks could also include civil and site engineering focused on design, developing bidready plans/specifications, bid assistance, and producing several computer-aided design and drafting plans.

The City of Bath selected our team based on the following:

TYLin’s multi-discipline experts, who have successfully completed a range of engineering projects and provided these services to the City for many years

Our familiarity with the City’s standards and procedures, coupled with the established relationships we enjoy with City staff

Our long history with similar on-call programs with various municipalities and state agencies, including the Maine and Massachusetts Departments of Transportation, City of Portland, and Town of Brunswick

The communication and consensus-building skills of our Program Manager, Tom Errico

The strength of our Maine-based professionals and our reserve of highly qualified technical experts throughout the TYLin Group.

TYLin will assist the City of Bath with its civil, traffic, and transportation engineering needs over the next three years. (Image courtesy of City of Bath, Home [Facebook page])

Repairs to Historic Augusta Memorial Bridge

AUGUSTA, MAINE, USA

TYLin is designing repairs to the Augusta Memorial Bridge in Augusta, Maine, as part of our On-Call Agreement with the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT). The historic structure spans the Kennebec River and was originally constructed in 1949. The bridge is considered an important landmark for the city of Augusta and serves as a vital transportation link for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.

The 2,092-foot-long Augusta Memorial Bridge includes a signature 5-span, 1,450-foot-long steel deck truss with a navigational channel clearance of 70 feet. Over the years, the crossing has undergone several renovations and repairs. Most recently, MaineDOT completed a major rehabilitation project in 2005 that included replacing and widening the bridge’s deck. The latest repairs will focus on replacing the pins and links of the three suspended truss spans on the structure.

TYLIN TEAM

Daniel Myers, PE, Project Manager

Stan Kaderbeck, PE, Technical Advisor

Chris Taylor, PE, Senior Bridge Engineer

Satya Roy, PhD, PMP, Bridge Engineer

Prajwal Chalgeri, Bridge Engineering Intern

Tom Errico, PE, Senior Traffic Engineer

Natalie Rigby, PE, Senior Highway Engineer

TYLin is designing repairs to the Augusta Memorial Bridge, a landmark structure in Augusta, ME.

New Lightweight Structures Group Will Augment Buildings Sector Offerings

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, USA

TYLin’s Buildings Sector recently announced the addition of four new team members to form a new Lightweight Structures Group. Nic Goldsmith, FAIA, LEED AP, Ashish Soni, Erik Smith, PE, and Matt Hilyard, AIA, join the sector from FTL Design Engineering Studio, a firm with a 45-year history as a leading design and engineering consultant focusing on lightweight structures.

With the rapid growth of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) cushion and foil/fabric technologies as cladding systems, lightweight elements are poised to become a more significant element in building and infrastructure work. For new façades and re-cladding alike, materials such as ETFE provide a feather-light and cost-effective alternative to traditional glass.

Lightweight structures can complement traditional structures in several ways, as they are, by nature, wide-span systems using a minimum of materials. They work well in conjunction with adaptive reuse projects – a major component of our current Buildings portfolio – where light loads eliminate the need for extensive reinforcement and rebuilding of existing structures. Working for their previous firm,

personnel from the Lightweight Structures Group used polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-coated glass fabric and ETFE foil skins to transform a vacant minor league baseball stadium into Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, an enclosed music venue.

Lightweight structural solutions also have a variety of applications for new construction projects, often appearing as auxiliary elements to create entry areas, covered courtyards, or enclosed atriums. They can also create standalone and highly aesthetic shelters from the elements, as demonstrated by previous experience with the iconic SkySong tensile fabric structure at the Arizona State University (ASU) Scottsdale Innovation Center.

For both new and existing building projects, Nic and his team will position the Buildings Sector to grow and integrate lightweight structures into a more mainstream architectural use. They will also support other TYLin sectors as they incorporate lightweight structural design into infrastructure projects. Nic and his team will sit in the New York City offices of Silman, A TYLin Company, a key part of the Buildings Sector.

Nic Goldsmith, FAIA, LEED AP, Founding Director, Lightweight Structures

Ashish Soni, Design Director

Erik Smith, PE, Senior Engineer

Matt Hilyard, AIA, Senior Architect

EMPIRE CITY CASINO PORTE COCHERE. (IMAGE CREDIT: PAUL WARCHOL)

HARTFORD HEALTHCARE AMPHITHEATER. (IMAGE CREDIT: CARL VERNLUND)

SKYSONG TENSILE FABRIC STRUCTURE AT THE ASU SCOTTSDALE INNOVATION CENTER. (IMAGE CREDIT: TIM WINQUIST)

Master-Planning a More Resilient Tempe

TEMPE, ARIZONA, USA

The City of Tempe, Arizona, has been proactively planning for a more resilient future by developing a Climate Action Plan with strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and manage extreme heat and stormwater throughout the city. Tempe has now taken the next step in retaining Greeley and Hansen, A TYLin Company, in association with WERK Urban Design and Raftelis, to develop the Resilient Tempe Master Plan and Feasibility Study.

The Resilient Tempe Master Plan will develop a long-term master plan to propel the Climate Action Plan goal to manage stormwater and extreme heat events in Tempe’s arid climate more efficiently and equitably. This will be a roadmap for Green Stormwater Infrastructure, Low Impact Development, Nature-Based Solutions, and Urban Forestry, as well as community beautification and shade-coverage initiatives. Throughout the planning process, the project team will build consensus among key City stakeholders to prioritize investments in urban cooling that result in fiscal

responsibility, equitable improvements to historically disadvantaged neighborhoods, and community engagement.

In the planning phase of Tempe’s leading-edge master plan, we will assess existing stormwater infrastructure and urban forestry planning efforts and evaluate and develop new initiatives. The goal is to combine conventional stormwater capital improvements with green stormwater infrastructure and urban canopy coverage expansion opportunities to develop a longrange citywide equitable urban cooling roadmap. Another component of this planning effort will include assessing the feasibility of a combined utility to provide oversight and help fund green stormwater infrastructure, low-impact development, nature-based solutions, and urban forestry initiatives to realize the co-benefits from infrastructure investments.

A pilot program of the Resilient Tempe Master Plan and Feasibility Study. (Rendering courtesy of WERK Urban Design/Y2K Engineering)

New Contract for Water and Wastewater Work in Maryland

HOWARD COUNTY, MARYLAND

Greeley and Hansen, A TYLin Company, has secured a new targeted client to grow and expand into Howard County, Maryland. Led by Joe Conti, PE, we have been retained by Howard County (County) for an On-Call Contract to perform Water and Wastewater Design Services. The total upper limit of the contract is USD 9 million over six years, with annual limits of USD 1.5 million and administered through individual task orders.

The County was a strategic target for client growth, with its location between Washington, DC and Baltimore. Significant work is identified in their capital plan for the rehabilitation and modernization of water and wastewater infrastructure to support future growth in the County.

The scope of the as-needed services will potentially include wastewater treatment improvements at the Little Paxutent Water Reclamation Plant (26 MGD), hydraulic modeling, water and wastewater pumping stations, water storage facilities, and related mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and instrumentation and control.

Water and sewer linear infrastructure may include the expedited replacement of aged water distribution mains, pipeline evaluations and condition assessments, and the armoring or relocation of sewer pipelines in environmentally sensitive areas.

BATA West Oakland Link

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, USA

The Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) recently selected TYLin to provide design services during the plans, specifications, and estimate (PS&E) phase of the USD 65 million West Oakland Link Project in Oakland, California. The TYLin team has served as the lead consultant for the nearcomplete preliminary project approval and environmental documentation phase on the West Oakland Link for nearly a decade.

The project will provide a safe bike and pedestrian connection between Oakland and San Francisco across existing freeways, railways, and industrial areas. In addition, the project will establish active transportation and recreational opportunities for residents and pedestrians in the West Oakland community.

The anticipated work for this project includes right-of-way, utility relocation and coordination, structural design, and accelerated bridge construction. TYLin’s John Kenyon, PE, is the Project Manager for this contract, and Allen Rejaie, PhD, PE, is the Engineering Manager. TYLin’s Saeed Karimi, PE, will serve as the project’s Structures Lead, and Sneha Pavuluri, PE, as the Civil Lead.

The TYLin team includes Sam Schwartz, A TYLin Company, to provide support for complete streets, active transportation planning, PS&E support, and traffic management. Jeff Smithline, PE, PTOE, will serve as the Complete Streets Lead.

The West Oakland Link Project will provide safe, aesthetic bike and pedestrian connections between Oakland and San Francisco. (Images credit: EinwillerKuehl)

Kaohsiung MRT Metropolitan Line (Yellow Line) YT01 Track Engineering Turnkey Project

KAOHSIUNG CITY, TAIWAN

Taiwan’s “Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program,” promoted enthusiastically by the Central Government, includes numerous track construction projects. Scope of work includes system electrical and mechanical (E&M) and track design and bridge, station, and depot design. Ready to meet the needs of this trend and fully participate in the track engineering business, TYLin is actively pursuing various mass rapid transit (MRT) and other track engineering design projects.

We were recently awarded the “Kaohsiung MRT Metropolitan Line (Yellow Line) Lot YT01 Track Turnkey” project, which will connect four major MRT systems — the Kaohsiung MRT Red Line, Orange Line, Light Rail, and Railway. The project includes a commitment to building a high-quality public transportation environment within a 30-minute life circle of the Kaohsiung Metropolitan area. The planned route has a total of 23 stations, including one elevated station and 22 underground stations, with a total length of 22.77 kilometers.

This project is the first time our Taiwan team has collaborated with the track contractor to bid on certain governmental public projects and lead all work in track design, such as base track, vibration and noise reduction, and floating track bed design. We look forward to using this case as the launch pad for similar projects, where we can win and deliver future track design projects, domestic or abroad.

Map of the future Kaohsiung MRT Yellow Line.

Precast base plate construction.

Provincial Highway No. 9 Widening Project, Shuangliu to Xinlu Section

PINGTUNG COUNTY, TAIWAN

Provincial Highway No. 9 (also known as the South Link Highway) is located in southern Taiwan and connects the western plains and eastern rift valleys for transportation, emergency relief, and sightseeing purposes.

The Shuangliu to Xinlu section is in a mountainous area with beautiful scenery and the primary road connecting indigenous communities to the outside world. Due to its extensive engineering challenges, this section is the last part of the Provincial Highway No. 9 widening project. The total section length is about 6.92 kilometers, including two new tunnels. We are providing design and construction supervision services for this project. Our work during the earlier comprehensive planning and environmental impact assessment phase was vital to winning this project.

Since Taiwan’s Directorate General of Highways is an important client, TYLin’s Taiwan team set up a southern branch office to generate closer partnerships. Our next task is to further strengthen communication and collaboration with the client, including working on submissions for international industry awards for this project.

Route map for Provincial Highway No. 9, Shuangliu to Xinlu section.

National Freeway No.1 Widening, Wudu to Xizhi Interchange Section

NEW

TAIPEI CITY, TAIWAN

National Freeway No. 1 is Taiwan’s most important arterial road, and the section from Wudu to Xizhi represents one of the most severe bottlenecks in the northern section. This section’s proximity to a geologically sensitive area and the Keelung River has significantly increased the degree of difficulty for this widening project. Moreover, following some successive days of heavy rain, the slope of the surrounding terrain also slipped again in 2022, leading to a major landslide.

TYLin completed the preliminary feasibility study for the project, and after 10 years, the country’s Central Government finally approved the widening plan last

year. Our Taiwan team had long strived to be assigned the planning and design works and successfully won the project this year.

Our design work will focus on reinforcing and protecting the existing hilly terrain along Freeway No. 1 and improving traffic flow by increasing the capacity of the main highway and collector-distributor roads of this section. The total project length is about 4 kilometers, and the construction cost is close to TWD 2.7 billion.

Rendering of Wudu to Xizhi widening project.

MILESTONES

Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Milestones Ceremony

MANILA, PHILIPPINES

TYLin, in a joint venture partnership with Pyounghua Engineering Corporation (PEC), is presently completing the detailed engineering design (DED) of the 32-kilometer Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge project in the Philippines. The project is set to begin construction this October.

On March 31, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was on hand to address an audience at the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Milestones Ceremony at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) in Mariveles, Bataan. The event commemorated the start of bore drilling with President Marcos’ ceremonial activation of the bore drilling program.

TYLin Bridge Sector Leader and Design Joint Venture Leader Marwan Nader, PhD, PE, was in attendance. He says, “We are incredibly proud to play a role in designing a one-of-a-kind bridge, envisioned years ago and now coming to fruition with the completion of the detailed engineering design. Our team is

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center) inspects a bridge model with members of his administration and TYLin’s Marwan Nader (far left). (Image courtesy of: Tiziana Celine Piatos. “PBBM: Finish Bataan-Cavite bridge on time,” Daily Tribune, April 21, 2023, https://tribune.net.ph/2023/04/01/ pbbm-finish-bataan-cavite-bridge-on-time)

committed to supporting the Department of Public Works and Highways by constructing these historic bridges.”

The significance of this project was lauded by the Philippines’ current administration. President Marcos ensured an on-time completion of the bridge, expressing his confidence that the project would decongest traffic in Metro Manila and open new opportunities in the region.

In his speech, President Marcos thanks the project team, “The Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge is truly a monumental undertaking of a scale not seen before in our country … Let me extend my deepest gratitude as well. To T.Y. Lin International, who have been our partner in this project … Without your efforts, we would not have come to this point in fulfilling this program.

“The expertise and professionalism and infrastructure development that all of you are known for has made us confident that this bridge will be constructed with the highest standards in mind, with quality and within the planned timeframe.”

Once constructed, the four-lane inter-island bridge between Bataan and Cavite will cut travel time from five hours to 45 minutes and be one of the world’s longest bridges. The mega project will also transform regional economies through improved connectivity, new economic opportunities, and jobs.

The project is being developed in concert by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) with funding from the Asian Development Bank to advance the team’s work on the DED and preparation of the bid documents for the project.

President Marcos (bottom row, center) with members of his delegation, DPWH, and the TYLin bridge design team including (back row, left to right) James Duxbury, Alex Sanjines, Jacob Chacko of GR8 GEO, and Marwan Nader. (News from Radio Television Malacañang – RTVM. Home [Facebook page]. Retrieved June 5, 2023 from https://www.facebook.com/rtvmalacanang/videos/1919061961814342)

IMAGE CREDIT: TYLIN’S AVGROUP

Beam Raising for Chicony Power Technology in Thailand

CHACHOENGSAO PROVINCE, THAILAND

To expand its business in Southeast Asia, Chicony Power Technology is planning and developing a major technology park in Chachoengsao Province, Thailand. TYLin’s Taiwan group is the main consulting firm and responsible for the planning and design supervision of the new development.

Construction of the building’s structural systems is complete, and a beam-raising ceremony was held on March 6, with senior executives from Chicony Power Technology and TYLin in attendance to celebrate the memorable occasion. The beam-raising ceremony was not only a celebration of all participants’ achievements, but it also marked a significant milestone for company’s global market expansion. Founded in Taiwan in 1983, Chicony Group is a leader in the manufacturing of peripheral computer products and consumer video and imaging products. The new development will be its second-largest overseas production base. It is also TYLin’s first project towards our expansion in Thailand.

The new building is a six-story structure with a total floor area of more than 120,000 square meters, maximizing total space for the client. It is expected to be operational during the second half of 2023.

PLANNED DEVELOPMENT IN THAILAND FOR CHICONY POWER TECHNOLOGY.

The beam raising.

TYLin attendees included (left to right) Pacharawon Apisitpuwakul, PCM Engineer; Rick Ho, Project Manager; Ray Wang, Chairman of TYLin Taiwan; Ethan Hsiao, Technical Manager; and Yao-Lin Chiu, Senior Manager.

Dr. Val Frenkel Receives

2023 AAWRE Outstanding Practitioner in Water Resources Engineering Award

On May 22, during the Environmental & Water Resources Institute 2023 Congress, Val S. Frenkel, PhD, PE, D. WRE, Vice President of Process Engineering for Greeley and Hansen, A TYLin Company, was honored as the recipient of the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers’ (AAWRE) 2023 Outstanding Practitioner in Water Resources Engineering Award.

Dr. Frenkel was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the water industry in the development and use of water and wastewater treatment processes, desalination, and membrane technologies, as well as innovations in the use of membrane technologies and intermittent aeration concepts.

A premier award in the industry, the AAWRE Outstanding Practitioner in Water Resources Engineering Award was established in 2014 to recognize Diplomate, Water Resources Engineers (D.WRE) who have demonstrated a significant contribution to the engineering practice based on either a single outstanding achievement or through a body of work related to the practice of environmental or water resources engineering.

Dr. Frenkel has repeatedly received accolades for advancing the water industry, including from the International Desalination Association, the American Academy of Environmental Engineering, and many others. He also has over 100 industry publications, including 17 books and manuals of practice by the Water Environment Federation, the American Water Works Association, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Alanna Bantigue, EIT, Receives ACEC California Top Scholarship

GARDEN GROVE, CALIFORNIA, USA

The American Council of Engineering Companies of California’s (ACEC California) Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships annually to graduate and undergraduate college students working toward a degree in engineering or land surveying. The top award recipients are also nominated to apply for the ACEC National scholarship competition.

During the 2022-2023 cycle, Alanna Bantigue, TYLin Engineer in Training (EIT), was awarded ACEC California’s Top Scholarship and a USD 10,000 grant. This scholarship funded her fourth and final year at San Diego State University, where she recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and received summa cum laude honors for having an over 3.8 grade point average (GPA).

The scholarship also aided Alanna in preparing for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, which she passed last year. She now has her EIT license. Thanks to the ACEC California Top Scholarship, Alanna could focus on school and her internship with TYLin’s Roads + Highways team in San Diego and oversee the American Society of Civil Engineers San Diego State University student chapter as President.

As part of the scholarship, Alanna was invited to speak at the annual ACEC California Engineering Excellence Awards in front of over 280 professionals on February 16 in Orange County. At the event, she expressed her appreciation for the award and discussed how the scholarship has benefitted her and her civil engineering career path so far.

Alanna Bantigue, EIT, presenting at the ACEC California Awards event.

Dr. Val Frenkel, PE, D. WRE, Vice President of Process Engineering for Greeley and Hansen, A TYLin Company.

I-95 Piscataqua River Bridge Rehabilitation Wins State and National ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards

KITTERY, MAINE, USA

The I-95 Piscataqua River Bridge Rehabilitation project continues its winning streak. In March, the project was recognized as the 2023 Gold Winner in the Engineering Excellence Awards competition of the American Council of Engineering Companies of New Hampshire (ACECNH). In June, the project was honored with a 2023 ACEC National Recognition Award. The awards are a testament to the project’s innovative solutions and commitment to public safety.

The I-95 Piscataqua River Bridge spans 4,503 feet and carries six lanes of Interstate 95 between Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Kittery, Maine. Since the bridge is vital to freight traffic, commuters, and tourists, the Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) commissioned TYLin to improve the bridge’s safety, rehabilitate the structure, and identify a way to alleviate congestion using the existing crossing.

TYLin proposed an intelligent transportation system (ITS) that will use emergency shoulders as a fourth traffic lane in each direction during peak periods. The rehabilitation

project prepared the bridge and its approaches for the ITS, which is to be installed by the New Hampshire DOT.

The greatest challenge of the rehabilitation was minimizing the impact on traffic while ensuring the safety of workers and the public. TYLin utilized a groundbreaking approach that evaluated traffic levels hourly, every day of the year. We then created an intricate, incentivized traffic control plan that identified the optimal times and locations for construction work. By requiring the contractor to use a movable temporary concrete barrier system, lanes could be opened and closed in less than 15 minutes. This rapid deployment maximized the contractor’s time to work while shifting focus throughout the day as traffic dictated.

This novel approach had never been utilized before in Maine or New Hampshire and worked exceptionally well. The massive project was completed ahead of schedule with minimal impact on the public and no claims from the contractor.

TYLin’s Daniel Myers , PE, and Tom Errico, PE, presented the I-95 Piscataqua River Bridge Rehabilitation and its effective traffic control plan, including the inaugural use of the Road Zipper System® in the Northeast, at the 2023 Technical Transfer Conference hosted by ACECNH and New Hampshire DOT in April. Our presentation highlighted the value of working collaboratively to identify, explore, and develop innovative traffic management solutions.

Tom Errico, PE

Daniel Myers, PE

Annual Meeting of Chinese Taipei Tunneling Association

TAIPEI CITY, TAIWAN

Established in 1996, the Chinese Taipei Tunneling Association studies and promotes the academic and technical aspects of tunnel engineering. Its purpose includes enhancing the cooperation and connection between the international organizations of tunnel engineering.

TYLin’s Taiwan office has long engaged in the technical development of tunnels and has maintained good relationships with Taiwan’s industries, government officials, and academic institutions. It is also worth mentioning that our Ankeng No. 1 Expressway Triple Arch Tunnel project was awarded “The Excellent Tunnel Project” in 2018.

The 2023 Annual Meeting of the Chinese Taipei Tunneling Association was held on June 2, with TYLin honored to be the event organizer in charge of preparation and execution. The meeting topic was “Construction and Development of Underground Transportation Road Networks in Metropolitan Areas.”

A key issue addressed was the global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) trend in the industry: the green construction methods and materials used in tunnel engineering to reduce environmental impact; and sustainability needs and options for the routine maintenance and regular inspections of existing tunnels.

Ray Wang, Chairman of TYLin Taiwan, speaking as the event organizer.

TYLin Taiwan staff at the meeting, 1st row from left to right: Ching-Hua Chiang, Shu-Huan Li, Yu-Ju Chen, Chloe Chiang, Miller Hsu, and Yi-Ning Huang; middle row from left to right: Wei-Jung Li, Long-Chang Hsieh, Cheng-Yi Yen, Xin-Hua Lin, GePing Pan, Ray Wang (Chairman of TYLin Taiwan), Chia-Huei Wu, and Ho-Teng Tseng; bottom row from left to right: Cheng-An Wu, Chia-Cheng Li, Irene Chang, Hsing-Nan Huang, Yi-Jie Wu, YuanJun Ho, Che-Yin Chang, and Yan-Sheng Li

RENDERING OF THE ANKENG NO. 1 EXPRESSWAY TRIPLE ARCH TUNNEL, USED ON THE ANNUAL MEETING POSTER.

TYLin Presents at AWWA - PNWS Section Conference

KENNEWICK, WASHINGTON, USA

In early May, TYLin’s Kimberly Kelsey, PE, PMP, and Jega Jeganathan, PhD, P.Eng., presented at the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Pacific Northwest Section (PNWS) conference in Kennewick, Washington. The conference allowed industry leaders to share knowledge on water treatment, distribution, and conservation, as well as regulations and compliance.

Kimberly’s presentation, “Mentoring: Still the Critical Path,” set the stage for mentoring opportunities and discussed specific actions and methods on how to successfully recruit and retain talent in the infrastructure world. With the need for engineering and technical candidates steadily increasing, the water industry is seeing increased competition in hiring engineering and technical staff, along with massive retirement. Retaining talent and preparing them to take on more responsibility earlier in their careers is crucial, and mentoring plays a big part. Kimberly’s presentation highlighted the importance of mentoring and how to train and inspire the next generation of engineers.

Jega’s presentation, “Nitrate Treatment for Groundwater Wells,” was based on a pilot study for a project that dealt with the treatment of nitrate-laden groundwater for a small community in Southern Ontario, Canada. The pilot study determined the overall performance of the ion exchange nitrate removal system treating the raw water from the wells. The recommendation for the water treatment system and water treatment plant concept was also discussed.

UPCOMING CONFERENCES

NASTO 2023 Conference: Safe & Resilient Transportation for All July 9-11 | Wilmington, Delaware

APWA Public Works Expo (PWX 2023) August 27-30 | San Diego, California

2023 Mobility 21 Southern California Transportation Summit: Challenge of Change September 29 | Anaheim, California

ACI–NA 2023 Annual Conference & Exhibition: Our Journey Together September 30 - October 3 | Long Beach, California

Kimberley Kelsey presenting at AWWA-PNWS.

Jega Jeganathan presenting at AWWA-PNWS.