Code Update: ASTM Introduces Two New Standards for Precast Concrete
ASTM committees have been hard at work providing new standards and improving existing standards for precast concrete products that are in high demand in the industry. Committee C13 on Concrete Pipe recently released a new standard for precast reinforced concrete end sections, and Committee C27 on Precast Concrete Products recently made significant improvements to its standard for precast concrete septic tanks. Each of these standards serve to improve product quality and consumer confidence as we...
Infrastructure Outlook: The Future of New York Public Transit Hinges on Accessibility Upgrades
Navigating New York City’s public transit system can be a daunting challenge for anyone. Narrow staircases, crowded platforms, tight squeezes, scarce seating, confusing signage, train delays, bus delays—all of it exhausts even the most intrepid commuters. For the 13 percent of New York City residents who live with a disability, getting from point A to point B in the five boroughs isn’t merely tiring; it’s often a nonstarter. Stations lacking an elevator or ramp are no-go zones for wheelchair us...
Change Leader: Opportunities In U.S. Infrastructure: Funding the Massive Capital Gap
Americans who believed we solved our infrastructure problems with the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are in for a rude awakening. The fact that Congress is being asked for billions to rebuild the collapsed bridge in Baltimore makes it clear that this downpayment makes only a small dent in the impending safety and logistics crisis facing the United States. With trillions of dollars of repairs and upgrades needed to address critical project demands and governments at every level gasping for...
Future Forward: Four Proven Steps to Future-Proofing Buildings
As we witness a surge in urbanization and grapple with the impacts of climate change, the vulnerability of our current infrastructure has become increasingly evident, underscoring the critical need to engineer structures that endure through time. Today’s buildings reflect an opportunity to prioritize lasting design and engineering strategies that embrace resilience and longevity. To achieve building longevity, engineers and architects should adopt a holistic approach that combines sustainabilit...
Award-Winning Adaptive Reuse: Tishman Speyer Transforms Morgan North, Formerly the Largest USPS Distribution Center in New York City
Morgan North, the expansive, 645,000-square-foot redevelopment of what was once New York City’s largest postal distribution center into a multi-use, sustainable property housing creative office space, a multilevel rooftop park and street-level retail, won the 2024 NYCxDESIGN Award in the Outdoor Space category. Erected in 1933, Morgan North’s site originally served as a railyard for the Hudson River Railroad and then as a U.S. Post Office distribution center. Rail tracks previously...
New Charlotte Water Facility Meets Stringent Standards
The Stowe RWRRF will serve western Mecklenburg County and municipalities across the river in eastern Gaston County. This interlocal partnership will transform the way the region’s water resources are managed, creating a more sustainable future. (CLTWate) According to Nicole Bartlett, Charlotte Water (CLTWater) engineering division manager, new federal environmental requirements to meet more-stringent nutrient levels required upgrades to the existing wastewater treatment plants in Charlotte’...
Beyond The Muck And The Mud: The Evolution of Precision, Visibility for Underwater Endeavors
Contractors used Trimble hardware and software to track the position and motion of the machines as well as display to operators the position of their tools underwater for the cleanup of New York’s iconic Tappan Zee bridge. From dredging navigable waterways to deconstructing underwater structures, working in conditions with limited or no visibility has long been one of construction’s most complex and costly tasks. Add in the potential for strong currents, murky waters, human risk and the nee...
Unlocking AI’s Potential to Advance Data Capture: The Role of Partnerships and Pilots
Pilots are an essential tool for uncovering the true value of a use case, providing a low-risk environment to test new technologies or workflows before committing to full-scale implementation. By running a pilot, organizations can validate assumptions, identify potential challenges and gauge the effectiveness of a solution in real-world conditions. This hands-on approach allows businesses to gather valuable insights, refine processes and measure tangible outcomes, ensuring that any investment in...
Engineering The Future: Where Have All the Workers Gone?
Infrastructure is at an inflection point. Never have we needed it more, as you can’t support a healthy economy on a crumbling infrastructure. At the same time, we have an incredible workforce shortage across the entire spectrum—from bus drivers and mechanics to planners, engineers, designers and environmental scientists; from contractor labor all the way through company and agency leadership. The construction sector is roughly 10 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) and with a la...
Infrastructure Outlook: Geographic Information Systems: A Tool for Innovative Governing
Geographic Information Systems (GISs) are powerful technology tools used across various sectors, including utilities and commercial industries, to store, visualize and interpret geographic data. Although GIS might seem like a modern innovation, it actually dates back to 1854. Today, GIS is widely used by local, state and national governments for numerous applications such as tracking disease spread (e.g., COVID-19) and assessing the impact of weather events. As new capabilities emerge, GIS is be...
Stormwater Interview with Robert Page, P.E., Vice President, HNTB
Santa Barbara County North Branch Jail Expansion
February Issue 2026
