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NEWS
NEWS
ADB Forum for Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge
MANILA, PHILIPPINES
On November 2, 2022, TYLin’s Marwan Nader, James Duxbury, and Dante Bautista – accompanied by members of the TYLin/PEC joint venture team and representatives of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – were invited to speak at a forum sponsored by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) regarding the current status of the design of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project (BCIB). The forum took place at the ADB offices in Manila, Philippines. The forum was transmitted live via Zoom and attended by more than 150 local and international participants.
Represented by the DPWH, the Government of the Philippines has embarked on a design-bid-build delivery method for the design and construction of the BCIB project. DPWH has received a technical assistance loan from the ADB to advance the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) and bid documents for the project. To this end, DPWH has retained TYLin, in a joint venture with Pyunghwa Engineering Consultants, Ltd. (TYLin/PEC) and in association with Renardet S.A. and DCCD Engineering Corporation, to perform the consultancy services.
The BCIB is one of the flagship projects prioritized by the Build, Build, Build (BBB) Infrastructure Program initiated in the Philippines. The main objective of the mega-bridge will be to provide urgently needed relief for Metro Manila traffic congestion by linking the key economic regions of Central Luzon and Calabarzon with a reliable transport mode across the mouth of Manila Bay.
The linkage will consist of a marine bridge measuring close to 26 kilometers long, two approach viaducts, and approximately 6 kilometers of roads. The marine bridge has two cable-stayed bridges, one over each navigational channel into Manila Bay.
Benefits of the BCIB include the potential for regional growth that is virtually unlimited. For example, having direct access to historic Corregidor Island, located at the entrance of Manila Bay in the southwestern part of Luzon, could significantly expand tourism in the area.
Marwan Nader speaking at the ADB Forum.
Samuel De Champlain Bridge Corridor Project Wins 2022 IRF GRAA Award for the Quality Management
MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC, CANADA
The Samuel De Champlain Bridge Corridor Project in Montréal, Québec, Canada, won the 2022 International Road Federation’s (IRF) Global Road Achievement Award (GRAA) for the Quality Management category. TYLin, in a joint venture, serves as the Bridge Design Manager, JV Managing Partner, and Design Quality Manager for the Public-Private-Partnership project.
One of the largest infrastructure projects in North America, this project comprises the signature cablestayed Samuel De Champlain Bridge, the new Île-desSoeurs Bridge, and the reconstruction and widening of the federal portion of Autoroute 15. Opened to traffic on July 1, 2019, the complex project was delivered in only 48 months (from design to substantial completion) and met all quality objectives through the implementation of a comprehensive design quality management plan (DQMP).
During the design and construction of the mega project, the ISO 9001-compliant DQMP streamlined workflow and established the framework for the owner, constructor, designers, and design checkers to collaborate seamlessly across the globe.
RiverEdge Park Pedestrian Bridge Wins 2022 ENR Midwest Best Project Award
AURORA, ILLINOIS
The RiverEdge Park Pedestrian Bridge over the Fox River in Aurora, Illinois, won the Best Project Award, Landscape/Urban Development, in Engineering News-Record (ENR) Midwest’s 2022 Best Projects competition. The City of Aurora contracted TYLin to design the signature pedestrian-bicycle bridge, which is a critical part of the master plan to redevelop the City’s historic downtown district.
TYLin’s services included bridge architecture, aesthetic lighting design, structural engineering, and electrical engineering. The firm initially developed eight bridge concepts along four alignment profiles. The final bridge design, developed through public meetings and refinements with City staff, is a seven-span concrete girder structure with a graceful S-curve alignment.
The RiverEdge Park Pedestrian Bridge unites the new RiverEdge Park on the east side with local neighborhoods, redeveloped parks, and trails on the west side. Considering the diverse group of bridge users, TYLin designed the superstructure to have a central beam “spine” with two pathways cantilevering on either side. The segregated twin pathways prioritize safety and convenience, separating slower pedestrians from faster commuter bicyclists.
From the riverbanks, the pathway decks gradually rise to the top of the girder at the midspan, where overlooks and benches offer strollers scenic views of the river and the city’s eye-catching downtown area. For commuters speeding to the updated, multimodal Aurora Transportation Center, the bridge provides an easy, non-motorized connection across the river.
ENR Midwest’s annual Best Projects competition honors the best construction projects and the companies that designed and built them.
I-95 Piscataqua River Bridge Wins Major Awards
KITTERY, MAINE, AND PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE, USA
The I-95 Piscataqua River Bridge recently won two major industry awards. The project received the 2022 Honor Award for Traffic Management and Planning in the American Council of Engineering Companies of Maine (ACEC Maine) Engineering Excellence Awards competition. Soon after, the complex rehabilitation project ranked #7 in Roads & Bridges’ prestigious list of Top 10 Bridges.
As the only interstate highway connection between Maine and the rest of the country, the 4,503-footlong through-arch structure is vital to freight traffic, commuters, and tourists. It carries six lanes of Interstate 95 between Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Kittery, Maine. The Maine Department of Transportation tasked TYLin to improve bridge safety, develop rehabilitation designs, and identify a way to move more traffic through the corridor using the existing structure.
TYLin proposed an intelligent transportation system (ITS) to dynamically use emergency shoulders as a fourth traffic lane in each direction during the peak traffic periods when daily traffic counts can rise to 130,000 or more. The rehabilitation project prepared the structure for ITS installation in 2023 by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.
For the rehabilitation, TYLin developed an innovative approach to traffic control. Our team evaluated the traffic levels at the site for every hour of every day of the year and then created an intricate, incentivized traffic control plan identifying when and where the contractor could perform the rehabilitation work with minimal traffic disruption.
The project utilized a movable temporary concrete barrier system that allowed lanes to be opened and closed quickly, multiple times daily. This rapid deployment maximized the contractor’s time to work, shifting the focus as traffic dictated to keep cars and trucks moving while ensuring safety.
This novel approach has only been used a few times nationally but has never been utilized in Maine or New Hampshire. The solution allowed this massive project to be completed ahead of schedule, with minimal impact on the public and no claims from the contractor.
(Left to right) TYLin’s Daniel Myers, Project Manager, with Dan Diffin, ACEC Maine President.
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND
On November 17, the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) presented their 2022 Member of the Year Award to Joe Tortorella, Principal Emeritus for Silman, A TYLin Company. Joe was recognized for his leadership roles within the association and significant contributions to the industry. The award ceremony and gala dinner were held in Zurich, Switzerland.
The IABSE Member of the Year award is presented to an individual member in recognition of their outstanding services rendered to the association, such as contributions to committees or boards and organization of conferences. Joe is an IABSE Fellow Member and has been active within the association since 1998, including chairing the Scientific Committee for IABSE Congress Chicago 2008 and the Organizing Committee of IABSE Symposium New York 2019.
Since joining Silman in 1979, Joe has managed numerous historic preservation, renovation, adaptive reuse, alteration, new construction, and sustainable design projects. His hands-on approach to project management through all phases of design, production, and construction has made him an expert in project quality assurance. In 2021, Joe became Silman’s Principal Emeritus.
IABSE President Tina Vejrum presenting Joe Tortorella with the Member of the Year Award. (Image credit: IABSE)
TYLin Attends National APTA Conference
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, USA
TYLin attended the 2022 TRANSform Conference and EXPO in Seattle, Washington, from October 9-12. The conference was an excellent opportunity for our staff to network with potential clients, vendors, and subcontractors.
The EXPO showcase highlighted the latest technology developed by vendors in the transit space. Seminar topics included improvements to capital delivery; fleet electrification for zero-emission buses; racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in the transit workforce; grants and financing; rebuilding ridership; local-federal partnerships; workforce challenges; mobility and accessibility; sustainability; automation; cybersecurity; and fare policy.
The APTA TRANSform event was attended by government agencies, policymakers, consultants, utilities, software companies, construction contractors, and vendors.
Events also included tours of King County’s RapidRide G Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridor and Sound Transit’s Rail Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF).
Sound Transit’s Rail Maintenance Facility in Bellevue, WA. (Image credit: APTA.com)
KAREN CORMIER AT THE SIXTH STREET VIADUCT OPENING IN JULY 2022, WITH GARY LEE MOORE, CITY ENGINEER FOR THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES.
Karen Cormier Retiring After Close to 40 Years with TYLin
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA
After dedicating nearly 40 years to TYLin’s Bridge department, Karen Cormier is retiring in January 2023. The daughter of a civil engineer, Karen joined TYLin after receiving her master’s degree in Civil Engineering in 1984 – where she interviewed with her former professor: Dr. T.Y. Lin, founder of our company.
Although she has worked on many projects worthy of recognition, Karen considers the iconic Sixth Street Viaduct structure in Los Angeles, California, a fitting final project of her 38-year career at TYLin. Factors such as the viaduct’s unique and complex geometry, challenging materials production, delivery, and installation, and aggressive construction schedule demanded a nimble Construction Management team that she was proud to lead.
During her tenure at TYLin, Karen also obtained a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and taught for several years in elementary and middle school while on sabbatical. Her retirement plans include returning to the classroom to teach after-school science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs – with a bridge engineering curriculum she has designed specifically for girls.
Join us in congratulating Karen on a job well done and wishing her a happy retirement!
Karen Cormier with her father, circa 1989.
WASHINGTON STATE, USA
This past summer, Kimberly Kelsey, TYLin Water Sector Manager, attended the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) 2022 Utility Leadership Conference and 52nd Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington, to celebrate 50 years of clean water with the industry. Agencies from around the U.S. attended to share ideas, make connections, and look toward the future of clean water.
Presentations and expert panels discussed topics ranging from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other contaminants to drinking water supply and environmental justice. Kimberly made connections with attendees and introduced the TYLin Water Sectors to local colleagues and attendees from other regions of the U.S.
This past September, Kimberly attended the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association (PNCWA) annual conference in Spokane, Washington. The theme was “Be Like Water,” and presentations touched on all facets of water, including resource recovery, regulations, stormwater management, nutrients, facility operations, and social equity.
TYLin was a Silver Sponsor for the PNCWA event, and Kimberly was able to renew and make more new connections to further the discussion about our Drinking Water, Wastewater, and Water Resources Sectors.
TYLin’s Kimberly Kelsey
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON
TYLin Engineers to Serve as AAAE-ACC Engineering Track Hosts
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA
While COVID-19 had a tremendous impact on airports and air travelers, the aviation industry has proven resilient and transformative. And now, the American Association of Airport Executives and the Airport Consultants Council (AAAE/ACC) Planning, Design, and Construction Symposium is coming to Anaheim, California, in 2023.
TYLin’s Katie Chou, PhD, PE, and April del Castillo, PE, will serve as engineering track hosts at the symposium. Both engineers are excited to present keynote speakers, including airlines, airport owners, and other aviation industry partners, and generate meaningful discussions.
Katie and April will present a unique set of state-of-the-art engineering topics and have gathered a distinguished group of speakers eager to share their accomplishments. These sessions capture industry-requested themes, such as Airside Engineering Hot Topics with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Advanced Pavement Research, Design, and Technology. Other sessions offer innovative views on trends in the aviation industry, such as Incorporating Sustainability in Cargo Development.
Assembling Senior Food Boxes at Local Food Bank
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, USA
In early November, members of TYLin’s office in San Diego, California, and their families teamed up to help with the Senior Food Program at the San Diego Food Bank. The food bank is a monthly program for income-eligible seniors over age 60.
The team was able to assemble 660 boxes, which amounts to 20,460 pounds of nutritious, non-perishable foods, providing 17,550 meals to seniors in our community. The food boxes assembled for this program are delivered to 65 distribution sites throughout San Diego County and support 15,000 seniors monthly.
Our team at the San Diego Food Bank.
TYLin Joins MIA 5K Airport Run
MIAMI, FLORIDA, USA
TYLin’s Miami, Florida office sponsored and participated in the Miami-Dade Aviation Department’s Runway 5K Airport Run/Walk at Miami International Airport. The event benefits the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” campaign.
The race was held on Runway 8L-26R, which was closed for the event. Our team enjoyed networking with other race participants.
The TYLin Team after the 5K race.
PLEASE TURN ON YOUR SOUND AND CLICK TO PLAY
Happy Holidays from TYLin Group! Warmest wishes to everyone for a New Year filled with peace, health, and prosperity!
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
Transportation Research Board 101st Annual Meeting January 8-12 | Washington, DC
AASHTO Council on Rail Transportation Legislative Meeting January 31-February 3 | Washington, DC
ACC/AAAE Airport Planning, Design and Construction Symposium March 1-3 | Anaheim, California
2023 DBIA Design-Build for Transportation/Aviation March 13-15 | Seattle, Washington
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