TYLin News + Views Issue Three

News + Views

IN THIS ISSUE: ADVANCING CITY TRANSIT

WELCOME TO News + Views!

News + Views is the official newsletter of TYLin. TYLin 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 City Transit

TYLin’s office in Chicago, Illinois, is proud to lead the team bringing a long-awaited transit improvement for the Chicago area closer to reality.

In August 2022, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and the Federal Transit Administration, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, announced the publication of the combined Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/ Record of Decision (ROD) and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation for the Red Line Extension (RLE). Meeting this milestone helps the CTA advance the RLE to the next steps of the federal New Starts funding program and keeps it on track for construction to start in 2025.

The RLE is a 5.6-mile extension of Chicago’s most traveled rail line and includes four new passenger stations and a railyard and shop. A major focus of the project has been on the economic development opportunities it will create in the city’s Far South Side. Residents will benefit from reduced commute times, improved mobility and accessibility options, and connections to other transportation modes. In addition, new stations could serve as catalysts for neighborhood revitalization, spur the development of transit-supportive communities, and help reverse decades of disinvestment in local business districts.

The TYLin team is responsible for developing the conceptual design and documentation to produce the Final EIS and ROD, 30% plans and specifications, estimates of construction cost, and supporting the CTA in the development of Bridging Procurement documents for an intended DesignBuild procurement. The CTA is planning for the RLE to be operable in 2029.

Projects like the RLE are part of CTA’s Red Ahead program, a comprehensive initiative for maintaining, modernizing, and expanding Chicago’s mosttraveled rail line.

Red Line Extension Rendering (Photo Courtesy of Chicago Transit Authority)

A Legacy of Service

TYLin has served on many transit-related projects for the CTA. Past projects include serving as the Designer of Record for improvements at eight Red Line transit stations along the Dan Ryan Expressway as part of the CTA’s overarching Dan Ryan Track Renewal and Stations Improvement Project . This project included adding elevators at three stations and lighting and drainage improvements, canopy and platform repairs, and steel cleaning or painting performed at all locations.

The Broadway Substation Upgrades was another project for the Red Line, where TYLin led the design team and served as the Designer of Record during construction. The upgrades to the substation, which had most of its power equipment installed in the 1960s, were designed to help support the future growth of passenger riders and build community resilience.

TYLin was also selected by the CTA to provide Preliminary Engineering services for Phase I of the Red and Purple Modernization Project (RPM), the largest capital improvement project in the history of the CTA. Since the corridor was built almost 100 years ago, the number of riders on these lines has increased significantly. The RPM is necessary to add much-needed capacity to ensure the economic growth and residential stability of the corridor and will be built in phases.

SUPPORTING APTA

Our connection with the CTA includes our proud support of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the new APTA Board chair, Dorval Carter, CTA President.

Red Line transit stations along the Dan Ryan Expressway corridor in Chicago, IL. (Photo Courtesy of Blueprint 22 Photography)

Rendering of area redevelopment near 103rd Street station. (Photo Courtesy of Chicago Transit Authority)

RENDERING OF ELEVATED RLE STATION ON CHICAGO’S FAR SOUTH SIDE. (PHOTO COURTESY OF CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY)

Multiple Amendments, City of Dixon Parkway Boulevard Grade Separation Project

DIXON, CALIFORNIA, USA

In Northern California, the City of Dixon recently awarded TYLin the Final Design of the Parkway Boulevard Grade Separation Project. This project serves as our fourth amendment to our original contract for a transportation project the City has been constructing in incremental phases over the past 20 years based on available funding.

The new project includes constructing a unique 310-foot-long, three-span-continuous, California wide-flange girder bridge. The bridge will cross over Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks and Porter Road and extend Parkway Boulevard west to intersect with Pitt School Road and east to Valley Glen Drive. The bridge and roadway consist of four traffic lanes with shoulders, a median, pedestrian sidewalks, and a Class 1 bike path.

The current USD 2.2 million phase, now under construction, consists of placing 60,000 cubic yards of roadway and structure embankment material on the western side of the UPRR tracks along the alignment of the future Parkway Boulevard to Pitt School Road and relocating several utilities. The City purchased the needed property to construct the western embankment in 2019.

TYLin has been involved with the City project since the original contract was awarded in 2004. Our four amendments consist of revising and updating the plans, specifications, and estimate (PS&E) to include the design of a precast girder bridge, environmental revalidation and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) approval, the addition of a railroad at-grade crossing closure, and grant-writing assistance.

The total fee for all four amendments is USD 2,553,510, with project construction costs estimated at USD 31 million. TYLin was awarded the subsequent amendments when the client decided to expand our scope due to our excellent performance on earlier tasks.

TYLIN TEAM

Hans Strandgaard, Project Manager Jodi Ketelsen and Robert Rodland, Environmental Work Huanzi Wang, Bridge Design

Jeff

Hoge, PE, Roadway Design

WINS

DESIGN VISUALIZATION, AERIAL VIEW FACING NORTHEAST.

SDOT RapidRide J Line Project

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, USA

TYLin’s Pacific Northwest office has been added to the RapidRide J Line Project in Seattle, Washington, securing our first contract with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). The RapidRide J Line Project is implementing bus rapid transit (BRT) along a 5.5-milelong corridor that serves the neighborhoods from Downtown Seattle to the University District. SDOT is the primary agency, in cooperation with King County Metro – which will inevitably own and operate the BRT facilities.

The purpose of the RapidRide J Line Project is to improve transit travel times, reliability, and capacity to increase high-frequency, all-day transit service and enhance transit connections. The project also improves pedestrian and bicycle connections and access to RapidRide stations, including protected bike lanes on Eastlake Ave E and a two-way cycle track on Fairview Ave N.

This project includes grant application and management, value engineering, risk assessment, surveying, utility mapping, right-of-way resolution, geotechnical data gathering and analysis, station siting, constructability review, schedule development,

and private development coordination. The final design elements include a roadway, stations, stormwater facilities, utilities, traffic signal and electrical systems, and the trolley wire/overhead contact system (OCS). Scope of work also includes structural, architectural, urban design and landscaping, environmental permitting, bidding assistance, and engineering services during construction.

The project is currently at the stage of developing the 90% design following resolution of the 60% comments. TYLin’s Jason Boyett is the Design Manager for the final design of this project. Due to the size of the project, the corridor was split into three segments, each with its own discipline leads. Jason coordinates between the discipline leads, providing continuity to ensure standards are met, issues are resolved, and the schedule is followed in design and plans. The 90% design is scheduled to be submitted to the City of Seattle for review in January 2023. Construction is expected to start as soon as 2023.

This project is federally funded through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Small Starts program. Additional funding includes Move Seattle Levy, STP, CMAW, RMG, and other local sources.

RapidRide 2.0 Station Prototype, similar to what will be used at the J Line Stations.

(Image credit: Stephanie Forman, Forman Consulting Services)

LeBreton Flats Library Parcel

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA

TYLin has teamed up with Toronto-based developer Dream to build two towers at LeBreton Flats in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Dream LeBreton will be an integrated community offering a mix of affordable, accessible housing units, social programs, and retail units. It is intended to be Canada’s largest residential zero-carbon development.

The design is being integrated with the adjacent Pimisi light-rail transit (LRT) Station as part of a revised National Capital Commission (NCC) master plan for the LeBreton Flats area. This project is the first to proceed within that development framework. The new towers will stand 31 stories and 36 storeys high and are being designed by our Dar Group affiliate Perkins&Will (in collaboration with KPMB Architects).

For this project, TYLin is providing Civil/Municipal Engineering and Transportation Planning services.

The impacts of the proposed development on surrounding municipal infrastructure are being assessed, and the necessary reports and documentation are being developed to secure municipal planning approvals from a site servicing/grading and transportation impact perspective.

Scope of work includes the delivery of a stormwater management strategy designed to achieve the requirements of the LEED v4 program as part of a sustainability plan developed using the One Planet Living framework. The TYLin team has also been retained to deliver the design of an affected local road intersection and investigate modifications to the existing Booth Street bridge structure adjacent to the site.

The proposed towers will bring new opportunities, programs, and resources to the area to help the community flourish.

THE NEW DREAM LEBRETON TOWERS ARE BEING DESIGNED BY PERKINS&WILL (IN COLLABORATION WITH KPMB ARCHITECTS).

Closed Verification Facility for Vehicles at Full Speed

TAIWAN

In recent years, the automotive industry has been driven by the four major development trends: connectivity, autonomous vehicles, shared mobility, and electric vehicles. Through the combination of sensory systems and intelligent control systems, advanced safety assistance systems for vehicles are rapidly being developed. This has led to a substantial increase in the demand for international automotive electronic products and services.

To follow this trend, the Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC), Taiwan’s government-funded nonprofit research facility, plans to add a closed verification facility and tracks for evaluating a variety of vehicles at high speeds. The new facility will be used to provide suitable verification of existing technologies and assist in Taiwan’s development of new innovative technologies for smart and autonomous vehicles, automotive electronics, industrial clusters with the Internet of Things (IoT), and other driving-related industries and services.

The new verification facility will be added to ARTC’s existing vehicle test center and cover an area of close to 12 hectares. After construction is completed, the new facility will include 12 research laboratories, testing circuits, a computer-aided engineering (CAE) center, and a research and development department.

This turnkey project includes the “weather environment test area” and the “elevated road test area.” Future expansion scenarios are already planned, such as a V2X/suburban, multi-functional test area, as well as connecting roads, external corridors, and other public facilities.

The construction company Sing Yuan was awarded this turnkey project, with TYLin providing the proposed detailed design.

Deep Green Line for Monorail MRT

TAIWAN

There are six big cities in Taiwan, and Tainan is the only one with no mass rapid transit (MRT) system. To solve traffic problems caused by population growth and urban development, the Tainan City Government has implemented the “Tainan Advanced Transportation System Plan” since 2013.

Often called Taiwan’s birthplace, Tainan is the country’s oldest city. Due to the city’s narrow roads, a monorail system has been chosen as the best solution. The Deep Green Line is one of the priority networks, connecting two main industrial/technology-based towns: Southern Taiwan Science Park and Shalun Smart Green Energy Science City. The total length of the Deep Green Line will be 25 kilometers, with 22 stations and one depot.

Since Tainan is the first city in Taiwan to choose a monorail for its MRT system, this project is a great opportunity for TYLin’s Taiwan office to participate in the planning, design, and construction of a complete monorail system. We are currently providing the feasibility study, including transportation analysis and forecast, route and station planning, land development for station facilities, public transportation system integration, the operations plan, and financial analysis.

Renovation of 3-Bay Hangar

TAIWAN

Located three kilometers from the seashore on the island of Taiwan, a three-bay airplane hangar in use for over 24 years has developed corrosion in the building structure, deck roof and wall, and fire suppression pipes. The hangar measures 240 meters wide by 70 meters deep by 44 meters high. Since a repair could hinder normal operations and maintenance, the hangar owner requires a simple, effective renovation with minimal impact on airplane use while providing structural safety.

Renovation Strategy

The work mainly includes the following items, as needed: rust removal and painting of structural members; strengthening/repair of components; renovation of the metal panel roof and wall; repair of fire pipes and sprinkler system; and other miscellaneous repairs or upgrades.

Since structural safety, the time frame for the work, and project cost are important issues for the owner, TYLin assessed the individual failure risk of the above items and identified the priority, cost, and time needed to complete them. As a result, two schemes were recommended to the owner, one urgent and the other on a normal schedule. The urgent scheme requires less time and money and safeguards the structure for at least 10 years, while the normal scheme safeguards the structure for at least 20 years, with a budget increase of 38%. The owner selected the urgent scheme as it has less impact on aircraft maintenance.

Corrosion and Local Construction

Most of Taiwan’s land constitutes a highly corrosive environment. That makes materials and construction specifications and adequate construction skills critically important. To ensure a successful renovation, TYLin established the following technical requirements:

No component (metal bolt, plate, or other elements) shall be temporarily removed without providing safety measures prior to removal. To prevent the overall structure from additional deformation.

High-pressure waterjet systems will be used for rust removal. To mitigate pollution for the equipment and space.

Paint primer shall be water-resistant. To shorten the painting period and accelerate construction.

The cut edge of metal panels shall be heavily coated. To protect the weakest point against corrosion. The anchoring component of the metal roof panel shall follow design specifications. To ensure material and welding strength and prevent corrosion and roof panel failure.

Using BIM

Tekla’s constructible building information modeling (BIM) software is being used for this project. The 3D BIM presentation provides a detailed image of the hangar structure to help identify and classify the individual components. The BIM model, which will be given to the owner after work is completed, eliminates the need for digital CAD file storage. The BIM model will also provide the owner with the base data for further development applications.

The Tekla BIM model shows the hangar structural configuration.

High ceiling makes maintenance of structural elements and fire suppression pipes difficult.

I-294/I-57 Interchange

CHICAGO SOUTHLAND, ILLINOIS, USA

For decades, I-294 and I-57 crossed each other in the Chicago Southland of Illinois but did not connect. This situation limited access to some communities and stalled job creation and economic development, making it more difficult and time-consuming for commercial vehicles to use the regional road network to transport materials and products.

That began to change in 2014 when TYLin completed Phase 1 of the USD 719 million I-294/I-57 Project. Phase 1 opened a partial interchange that connected access from northbound I-57 to northbound I-294 and southbound I-294 to southbound I-57, including new ramps connecting I-294 to 147th Street. New warehouses, logistics centers, and manufacturing firms – an estimated 15 million square feet of new commercial space – began popping up following the Phase 1 opening and in anticipation of the planned opening of the second phase.

Also designed by TYLin, the second phase of the project opened in September 2022. Phase 2 added four new ramps to complete the interchange,

connecting southbound I-57 to northbound I-294, southbound I-294 to northbound I-57, and northbound I-294 to northbound I-57. The new connections also include a half-mile-long flyover ramp bridge carrying traffic from southbound I-57 to southbound I-294 and from 147th Street to southbound I-57.

With the new, full interchange allowing easy access in all directions for passenger and commercial vehicles, economic development officials expect more businesses will build or relocate to facilities in the area, creating still more jobs in the Chicago Southland.

Completing this project is another example of the success that comes with investing in infrastructure. Benefits include assisting local communities and the region by improving mobility, linking economies, and creating jobs – the three pillars of the Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, USD 14 billion Move Illinois program.

A NEW HIGH-SPEED TURBINE INTERCHANGE ENHANCES REGIONAL MOBILITY AND CONNECT COMMUNITIES.

30 Muni Western Terminal

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA USA

TYLin has partnered with MWA Architects to design a new layover terminal in San Francisco, California, for expanded service on the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s (SFMTA) 30 route bus line, which currently operates 40-foot trolleybuses. The extended route will add three additional bus stops during daytime service (6:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. PST), connecting the Marina neighborhood to Crissy Field and the Presidio National Park and providing direct connections via Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Caltrain commuter rail.

SFMTA’s current trolleybus fleet can run off-wire for a limited distance, which has provided the City of San Francisco with options for expanding the current service on trolleybus lines without the need for overhead catenary system upgrades. The new terminal will provide the agency with a layover location that accommodates both 40-foot and 60foot trolleybuses for layover parking and provides infrastructure for charging the onboard batteries on the trolleybus for their limited off-wire use.

TYLin has provided the Presidio Trust and SFMTA with design options on a sawtooth layout parking terminal that will accommodate up to three 40-foot or 60-foot trolleybuses, as well as a renovation of the parking area and new comfort stations for both passengers and bus drivers. We are also exploring innovative options to accommodate overhead catenary contact systems for charging. TYLin’s structural, civil, and electrical team is currently working to finalize the design of the parking area and bring power to the terminal.

Overhead view of planned Presidio Trust Terminal Site at Crissy Field. (Image credit: MWA Architects)

RENDERING OF PLANNED TERMINAL DESIGN. (IMAGE CREDIT: MWA ARCHITECTS)

Dewey Avenue Bridge Opens

BUFFALO, NEW YORK, USA

The new Dewey Avenue Bridge over CSX Mainline Rail Line in Buffalo, New York, will open ahead of schedule by the end of the year. The new single-span replacement bridge meets current highway loads, offers safe transit for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and improves vertical clearance for CSX freight trains.

The original concrete arch bridge was constructed in 1909, making it the oldest City of Buffalo bridge in service. It spanned a rock cut that accommodates CSX and other rail lines. The arch abutments were constructed directly into the rock, which provided thrust support. The underside of the structure had suffered significant deterioration, and the arch and its walls had separated from the abutment stems at both ends.

The old bridge also featured decorative spandrel walls with inset panels which, when combined with the age of the structure, made the bridge eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. TYLin provided a Findings Statement documenting the bridge’s historical aspects and the rationale for demolition relevant to its ability to carry traffic safely. With demolition justified but with an adverse effect, a Memorandum of Understanding between the New York State Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, the City of Buffalo, and the State Historic Preservation Office was required to permanently document the structure’s unique characteristics with text and photos prior to demolition.

The TYLin-designed replacement bridge features steel girders with a cast-in-place concrete deck and a decorative parapet that pays tribute to the original arch spandrel panels. CSX imposed strict design and construction limitations for this heavily traveled rail corridor. To increase the vertical clearance, the bridge profile was raised more than a foot on one side. A creative roadway approach design was required to blend this change with the nearby driveways and street.

For demolition, the contractor sliced the bridge into 17 longitudinal sections that were individually removed using rigging and a crane.

Because CSX could not guarantee track time, all work was performed in the presence of a flagman, with construction activities over the tracks stoppable within minutes to ensure clear tracks for the eight to 10 daily trains. In addition, to address the CSX requirement that demolition would not encroach on the existing vertical clearance, the contractor sliced the bridge into 17 longitudinal sections that were lifted out via rigging and a crane.

TYLIN TEAM

Tom Hurley, PE, Engineer-in-Charge

Jim Krapf, PE, Project Manager

Rick Kosciolek, Senior Bridge Designer

Mike Martello, PE, Lead Bridge Engineer

Mike Melino, Construction Phase Oversight

Louis Petix, Senior Bridge Designer

Chris Sargeant, PE, Roadway Approach Engineer

THE NEW DEWEY AVENUE BRIDGE OVER CSX MAINLINE RAIL LINE.

Smithsonian Institution’s Hirshhorn Museum Announces Team for Revitalization

WASHINGTON, DC, USA

Silman, A TYLin Company, is on the design team selected to undertake the largest modernization in the history of the Smithsonian Institution’s Hirshhorn Museum. The Hirshhorn Museum of one of the most renowned art museums in Washington, DC. Upgrades to galleries, public spaces, storage, and infrastructure will allow the institution to respond to the evolving needs for a public museum of modern and contemporary art.

Designed by Gordon Bunshaft and completed in 1974, the Hirshhorn Museum features an iconic hollow cylindrical design that stands in contrast with its traditional neighbors along the National Mall. This cylinder rests atop four massive cast-in-place concrete piers; its elevated placement opens up the central plaza for circulation and sculpture installations.

Silman has worked directly for the Smithsonian for many years, performing structural investigations,

repairs, and renovations for the Hirshhorn building and gardens. Recent work, expected to be complete by the end of 2022, comprised the in-kind replacement of the precast concrete panels that cover the outer face of the cylindrical drum, along with the steel angles that support these panels.

To ensure a near-identical appearance to the original panels, the stone aggregate used for the new precast panels was sourced from the same granite quarry. The project team also added new waterproofing and insulation behind the replacement panels, improving the museum’s energy efficiency and humidity control.

Silman’s other Smithsonian projects on the National Mall include the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle)

THE HIRSHHORN MUSEUM’S CENTRAL PLAZA AND TEMPORARY EXIT.

REPAIRS UNDERWAY ON THE OUTER DRUM OF THE HIRSHHORN MUSEUM FACADE.

THE HIRSHHORN MUSEUM’S CENTRAL PLAZA AND TEMPORARY ENTRANCE.

Gerald Desmond Bridge Demolition

PORT OF LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, USA

TYLin is the prime engineering consultant to the Port of Long Beach in California for the design engineering of the dismantling and demolition of the existing Gerald Desmond Bridge. Services include civil and structural design, development of contract documents, and design support during the deconstruction of the bridge.

The old Gerald Desmond Bridge was constructed in 1968, with a major seismic upgrade in 1995. The bridge is a through truss-arch structure with a main span of 410 feet and a vertical clearance of 155 feet over the Back Channel. The bridge is 5,134 feet in total length, carrying four lanes of Ocean Boulevard across the channel to Terminal Island.

The existing bridge was replaced by a higher bridge on an adjacent alignment that will allow larger modern container ships to access the inner harbor at the Port once the Gerald Desmond Bridge is removed. The replacement bridge, named the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge, was opened to traffic in 2020.

TYLin investigated several feasible methods for the demolition of the various parts of the bridge and recommended a baseline set of methods that offered the best value to the Port of Long Beach. These included recommendations for the removal of the channel crossing structure comprising the suspended tied-arch span, cantilever arms, and anchor spans, as well as for the approach spans decks and girders and all piers and abutments. In addition, performancebased plans and specifications were prepared, allowing flexibility to bidding contractors to innovate and develop specific methods suitable to their capabilities while maintaining safety.

The demolition of the Gerald Desmond Bridge got underway in October 2021 when Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. (Kiewit West), the winning bidder, was given a Notice to Proceed. Planning and preparatory work led to lowering the 410-foot-long suspended span onto a barge, which occurred on July 9, 2022.

LOWERING THE SUSPENDED SPAN WITH THE NEW LONG BEACH INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY BRIDGE BEHIND IT.

The most complex operation of the bridge deconstruction, the lowering was accomplished by transferring the 3,200-ton load of the span to four strand jacks installed on top of the cantilever arms. The suspended span was then disconnected from the cantilever arms by torch cutting the supporting truss members and lowered by the jacks to the barge. The procedure took eight hours to complete. The barge was immediately moved to a nearby pier, and the suspended span was dismantled from the barge.

The cantilever arms and anchor spans were then deconstructed by removing the concrete deck and lowering large segments of the steel truss framing to the ground with cranes for further dismantling. All steel and concrete from the demolished bridge are being recycled. Currently, the approach spans are being removed, and the bridge demolition is estimated to be complete by mid-2023.

LOWERING OF THE SUSPENDED SPAN BY STRAND JACKS.

Midhurst Wastewater Treatment Plant

MIDHURST, ONTARIO, CANADA

TYLin is designing a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility that will benefit the environment and residents of the Midhurst area of Ontario, Canada, for decades to come. The 38,000-squaremetre facility features cost-effective and versatile processes to treat 6.5 million litres per day (MLD) average sewage flows from the growing population of Midhurst and stringent environmental discharge limits.

The sewage will flow through a headworks building to remove debris and grit, and then through primary, secondary, and

tertiary treatment processes before being safely discharged into Willow Creek. Solids separated from the wastewater will be sent to an onsite thickening building to be converted into biosolids for farmers to use as fertilizer.

Construction is scheduled to start in 2023. The facility will be constructed in two phases, servicing 15,000 people after Phase 1 and 28,000 people at the completion of Phase 2. TYLin has designed this facility with the future in mind, taking into account sustainability and climate change, social economics, reliability, and innovation.

RENDERING OF THE PHASE I WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT FOR THE MIDHURST COMMUNITY.

Researching Italian Structural Engineering Response to Earthquakes

ITALY

Edmund P. Meade, PE, FAPT, is a Principal and Director of Preservation for Silman, A TYLin Company. Since joining Silman in 1989, his work has focused on projects involving the stabilization, restoration, and thoughtful reuse of existing buildings, including numerous national historic landmarks.

Ed recently traveled to Rome to study the Italian structural engineering response to seismic events. This research was made possible by the Association for Preservation Technology International (APTI), the sponsor of a new fellowship at the American Academy in Rome. The Academy hosts recipients of Affiliated Fellowships awarded by educational and cultural organizations worldwide. One of the goals of APTI’s fellowship sponsorship is to strengthen ties between structural engineers in North America and Italy.

Ed’s specific research topic, the advances in the structural analysis of domes and vaulted spaces and their application to North American preservation practice, grows from his experience with dozens of domed and vaulted structures and hundreds of unreinforced masonry buildings. He conducted

his research by meeting directly with university researchers and design professionals and visiting project sites to see seismic response interventions in person.

The primary aim of Ed’s research is to advance the understanding of conservation and engineering knowledge as practiced in Italy on vaulted structures.

He anticipates using this knowledge to provide guidance in the evaluation and strengthening of vaults in Silman’s practice. In fact, Ed’s research has already provided insights into current projects involving unreinforced masonry structures.

Silman’s Edmund P. Meade, PE, FAPT, in Italy.

RESTORATION WORK FOR THE SANTA CATERINA CHURCH IN CASALE MONFERRATO IN NORTHERN ITALY.

Connecting people, places, & ideas

TYLin is a global engineering firm focused on delivering comprehensive advanced mobility infrastructure, smart buildings, and sustainable water solutions. We solve unique challenges for public and private clients through collaboration with 3,000+ professionals across 50+ offices in the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

At TYLin, we create connections that elevate communities.

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.

Silman’s Joe Tortorella Named IABSE Member of the Year

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.

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).

IABSE President Tina Vejrum presenting Joe Tortorella with the Member of the Year Award. (Image credit: IABSE)

Sound Transit’s Rail Maintenance Facility in Bellevue, WA. (Image credit: APTA.com)

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.

KAREN CORMIER AT THE SIXTH STREET VIADUCT OPENING IN JULY 2022, WITH GARY LEE MOORE, CITY ENGINEER FOR THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES.

Growing the Water Practice in the NW USA

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.

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON

TYLin’s Kimberly Kelsey

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 volunteers on the assembly line.

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.

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

Build

BUILDINGS

Front Cover: The CTA Red Line in Chicago, IL. (Photo Credit: Blueprint 22 Photography)

Back Cover: The RiverEdge Park Pedestrian Bridge in Aurora, IL. (Photo Credit: Savanna Rita Photo)