Emily Espinosa — Fri, 22 May 2026 15:02:30 +0000

AI Summary

This article highlights how infrastructure modernization is being driven by aging systems, population growth, and evolving security threats, pushing organizations toward integrated, system-wide solutions rather than isolated upgrades.

We emphasize an end-to-end delivery model that combines design, engineering, construction, security, and sustainment to improve reliability, reduce risk, and support continuous operations. Strong program management is central to this approach, enabling complex projects to stay aligned, resilient, and operational, especially in high-stakes federal environments.

A key differentiator is the “One Parsons” model, which integrates physical infrastructure with advanced systems and security to create cohesive, adaptable environments. This approach is critical for modernizing infrastructure without disrupting ongoing operations through phased implementation and close coordination. Bottom line: Modern infrastructure success depends on integration, resilience, and continuous operation, transforming infrastructure into a connected system that can adapt to future demands.

We turned to our leading experts to ask the big questions about the future of infrastructure, offering an inside look at how industry leaders are tackling modernization, resilience, and protection. Discover how their strategies are supporting today’s critical missions and preparing for the challenges ahead.

INTERVIEWEES:
Mark Fialkowski, President, Infrastructure North America
Martin Boson, President, Engineered Systems

1. What’s driving the urgency around modernizing critical infrastructure right now?

Fialkowski: There’s increasing pressure to modernize infrastructure that wasn’t built for today’s risks or demands. Aging systems and growing populations are challenging reliability and public safety with infrastructure systems for transportation, aviation, and water. Because of this, the focus has shifted from individual projects for routine improvements to a holistic view that modernizes and engages all infrastructure systems.

We do this by engaging early with customers to assess risk and resilience needs, then carry solutions through design, construction, integration, and sustainment. By aligning infrastructure modernization with security and operational requirements from the outset, we help customers reduce risk, improve reliability, and avoid costly rework later.

Boson: From a federal perspective, the urgency is being driven by how quickly the threats are evolving compared to the pace of traditional infrastructure modernization. For our federal clients, end‑to‑end protection means integrating the technologies that keep personnel, assets, and missions secure. That includes electronic security systems, access control, identity and biometrics solutions, and counter‑UAS (CUAS) capabilities that protect airspace and facilities, all integrated with the digital and physical infrastructure that supports them.

We bring assessment, engineering, systems integration, installation, operations, and sustainment together under one team. Rather than delivering standalone technologies, we design interoperable solutions that function as a cohesive system and can evolve as threats, technologies, and mission needs change.

2. How does strong program and project management influence outcomes for complex infrastructure and federal missions?

Fialkowski: Strong program and project management turns complex infrastructure investment into reliable, long‑term outcomes. Today’s programs involve multiple stakeholders, regulatory requirements, and active operations that cannot pause while work is delivered. Disciplined program management creates the structure needed to manage risk, maintain alignment, and deliver consistency across portfolios, not just individual projects.

We’re ranked as ENR’s #1 Program Management firm, and this reflects our ability to manage complexity at scale and deliver certainty in environments where failure is not an option. It reinforces the role program management plays as a foundational capability of One Parsons, enabling integrated delivery across infrastructure, security, and operations.

Boson: For federal missions, strong program and project management is inseparable from mission success. Federal infrastructure, aviation, and secure environments operate continuously and often under heightened risk. Program management provides the governance and integration framework needed to modernize, protect, and sustain these environments without disrupting active operations.

Our customers trust our ability to manage complexity at scale, reduce risk, preserve continuity, and deliver programs that perform reliably in real‑world federal operating environments.

3. How do the Infrastructure and the Engineered Systems teams come together to deliver a differentiated “One Parsons” approach to infrastructure?

Fialkowski: We have a long history of developing infrastructure solutions for bridges, roadways/highways, rail/transit, and water systems, then grew globally through acquisitions that strengthened our transportation and large-scale civil engineering capabilities. Today, we’re a major international provider of infrastructure solutions, integrating engineering with advanced technology to deliver complex projects in transportation, water, aviation, and urban development.

As such, we understand our customers don’t experience infrastructure challenges in silos, so our approach can’t be siloed either. “One Parsons” means designing and delivering infrastructure with protection, resilience, and operational continuity built in from the beginning.

Boson: Engineered Systems brings the federal mission and systems integration perspective that turns strong infrastructure into a fully operational, protected environment. For federal customers, infrastructure upgrades, aviation systems, and security capabilities must be delivered together and sustained without disrupting active missions. That requires close coordination between physical infrastructure, systems engineering, and operations.

Our team works alongside Infrastructure North America to integrate critical infrastructure protection, including CUAS and identity management, and sustainment and resilience capabilities directly into infrastructure programs. By providing these capabilities end-to-end, rather than treating these elements as separate efforts, we deliver them as part of a single, accountable program.

4. How do you help customers balance modernization with continuity and reliability when upgrading critical infrastructure?

Fialkowski: Balancing modernization with mission continuity starts with recognizing that most critical infrastructure cannot simply be taken offline and rebuilt. Upgrades must be phased, adaptable, and designed to perform under real‑world operating conditions.

Projects like the LAX Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP) demonstrate what this looks like in practice. At one of the world’s busiest airports, we are delivering large‑scale transportation and infrastructure upgrades while airport operations, airline activity, and passenger movement continue uninterrupted. Achieving that balance required close coordination between infrastructure delivery and systems integration, allowing new capabilities to be introduced incrementally without disrupting daily operations or the broader aviation mission.

Boson: For federal missions, continuity is not a constraint; it is the operating condition. Modernization must be integrated into ongoing operations, with new capabilities supporting real-world mission needs, not treated as separate technical upgrades. New capabilities must align with how people operate, respond, and make decisions every day.

You can see that approach clearly at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. Following the 2019 earthquakes, the priority wasn’t just rebuilding damaged facilities but restoring and modernizing a mission‑critical installation while weapons testing, training, and operational activities continued.

Projects like China Lake show that it requires close coordination with operators, disciplined integration of infrastructure and systems, rigorous testing, and a long‑term sustainment mindset. When modernization is treated as part of the mission, not separate from it, infrastructure becomes more resilient, more secure, and better positioned to support operations well into the future.

5. How is aviation infrastructure evolving beyond traditional airport design?

Fialkowski: Airports are evolving into highly connected platforms rather than standalone facilities. Traditional designs, once focused on aircraft movement and passenger flow, are giving way to environments that integrate transportation, energy, technology, and resilience planning.

That shift is evident in projects like the Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal Redevelopment. The program goes beyond building a new terminal to rethinking how passengers move through the airport, how landside infrastructure connects to regional transportation networks, and how the facility supports long‑term operational flexibility. Modernization efforts are focused on improving the passenger experience while also strengthening reliability, security, and adaptability in a complex operating environment.

Modern aviation infrastructure must also respond to changing passenger expectations and operational demands. Terminals are designed for scalability, airside systems are increasingly automated, and landside infrastructure is more tightly integrated with regional transportation and utility networks. Ultimately, airports must function as part of a broader ecosystem, connecting physical assets, digital systems, and communities to support safe, efficient, and adaptable air travel over time.

Boson: Aviation infrastructure is no longer confined to terminals and runways. It is a fully integrated national system connecting physical facilities, digital platforms, and operational decision‑making across the entire airspace. Growth in air traffic, new airspace users, and aging systems are driving modernization well beyond the airport perimeter.

You can see this approach in action with our ongoing partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration through the Technical Support Services Contract (TSSC). With this program, we handle upgrades to infrastructure and systems all across the National Airspace System, including air traffic control facilities, critical communications, navigation, surveillance, and power systems. And we do all of this while airspace operations continue to run smoothly at hundreds of sites nationwide. It takes careful coordination with operators, rigorous integration and acceptance testing, and a focus on long-term sustainment planning to make sure modernization actually boosts performance without disrupting safety or continuity.

6. What are the best practices used to deliver infrastructure projects in challenging environments?

Fialkowski: Best practices in challenging environments focus on resilience, adaptability, and long-term operability. Our work in Puerto Rico has demonstrated that infrastructure must be designed to recover quickly from disruption as much as to endure it. Following repeated natural disasters, successful projects prioritize distributed systems, phased delivery, and designs that balance immediate needs with long-term performance. Another critical practice is aligning infrastructure delivery with local realities. In Puerto Rico, that means coordinating closely with utilities, regulators, and communities while designing systems that can be operated and maintained under constrained conditions. Infrastructure in these environments must be flexible, repairable, and sustainable, recognizing that climate stress and resource limitations are not temporary challenges but defining characteristics of the operating environment

Boson: In federal environments, best practice starts with treating location as a primary design and delivery condition, not a constraint to work around. In places like Guam, where our team provides construction management support for Missile Defense Agency facilities, successful delivery depends on early integration of mission requirements, logistics planning, and environmental compliance. Remote locations require designs that account for limited access, long supply chains, harsh environments, and the need to maintain operations throughout construction. Planning for constructability and material availability from the outset is critical.

Antarctica extends this discipline even further. Projects there require exhaustive upfront planning, modular and transportable designs, and infrastructure engineered for reliability. Short construction windows and zero tolerance for rework demand precise logistics coordination, extensive pre‑deployment testing, and digital planning tools that reduce uncertainty. These environments reinforce the value of integrated delivery, where infrastructure and systems are planned together from day one.

Mark Fialkowski

Mark is President of Infrastructure, North America, and leads our infrastructure programs, is responsible for the leadership, strategy, growth, business execution, and operations across the United States and Canada. Mark joined Parsons in 1989 as a Transportation Engineer, and, has held a series of progressively more responsible leadership roles within the critical infrastructure industry, including Executive Vice President of Parsons’ Mobility Solutions Business Unit responsible for profit & loss, strategy, growth, project delivery, talent management and operations for the North American and Middle East Bridge, Road & Highway, Tunnel, Water/Wastewater, and Industrial markets.

Martin Boson

Martin is President of Engineered Systems, a Parsons federal business unit that delivers, protects, and sustains critical assets across the Defense, Intelligence, and Critical Infrastructure markets. He is responsible for leading advanced engineering, planning, design, and delivery of complex infrastructure, environmental, energy, and life sciences products and services to U.S. government customers across five continents that include the U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, Program Executive Office Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Department of Labor, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Prior to this role, Martin served as General Manager and Senior Vice President for Saudi Arabia Parsons Ltd. He joined the company in 2003, progressing through positions of increasing responsibility in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The post An Inside Look: Expert Q&A On Infrastructure Modernization And What Comes Next appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

TAKaaS: Parsons’ Unified Platform For Mega-Event Security And Mobility At FIFA 2026

Emily Espinosa — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:03:39 +0000

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 is the ultimate mission for a city. It means managing millions of visitors, coordinating across multiple jurisdictions, and ensuring flawless security and mobility under intense global scrutiny. Success isn’t just about beautiful venues; it’s about a real-time, unified operating picture that ensures every police officer, fire responder, transit manager, and city official is seeing the same picture at the same moment.

We are a leader in critical infrastructure and technology solutions, and are uniquely positioned to deliver this critical capability. Our expertise is bolstered by the recent acquisition of Chesapeake Technology International (CTI), the leading provider of TAKaaS (TAK-as-a-Service).

TAKaaS is the full-spectrum service offering designed to integrate the powerful TAK (Team Awareness Kit) ecosystem, providing a secure, interoperable Common Operating Picture (COP) essential for mega-event security and city services management.

The TAKaaS Advantage for FIFA 2026 Host Cities is that it can handle the sheer scale of the 2026 World Cup across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. TAK and TAKaaS provide a common platform that breaks down communication silos between local, state, federal, and international partners. TAKaaS provides the systems and expertise to manage this complexity across three core areas:

1. Unified Public Safety Operations:

Real-Time COP: Connects all public safety agencies onto a single map-based interface, allowing for instantaneous incident reporting, resource tracking, and coordinated response.
Critical Infrastructure Overlay: Allows command teams to visualize stadium layouts, transit hubs, fan zones, and key city infrastructure against real-time security and traffic data.

2. Mobility and Transportation Management:

Dynamic Coordination: Utilizes the TAK COP’s drawing and sharing tools to quickly disseminate essential information like temporary road closures, planned diversion routes, bus queue locations, and high-density crowd zones to all personnel, enhancing field communication and coordination.
Resource Tracking: Enables precise tracking of bus fleets, shuttle services, and emergency transport vehicles to optimize flow in and out of venues and fan festivals.

3. Expert Event Readiness and Support:

Custom Integration: The CTI team provides expertise in hardware selection, secure TAK Server setup, and communication planning to ensure robust operations across the massive tournament footprint.
Mission-Specific Training: We train your teams (led by SMEs from Special Operations and Public Safety backgrounds) on tactical applications, not just software use, ensuring personnel are ready to utilize the COP during match days and high-traffic events.

Leveraging Parsons’ global event experience, our TAKaaS solution is backed by decades of Parsons’ experience in delivering mission-critical infrastructure for global events, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and numerous Olympic Games. For FIFA 2026 host cities, this translates to an integrated approach that unifies:

Integrated Delivery: Planning and construction management (PM/CM) for transportation infrastructure (bus malls, park-and-ride sites) and temporary security installations.
Advanced Security: Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS), and Critical Infrastructure Protection services are integrated with the TAK platform to provide a full-spectrum security overlay.
Legacy Planning: The integrated systems and processes built for the World Cup through TAKaaS and Parsons’ solutions are designed to remain a lasting legacy, enhancing city management, emergency response, and capital planning long after the final match.

From seamless security coordination at the stadium perimeter to optimizing traffic flow for millions of fans, TAKaaS, now a key offering from us, ensures your city is ready to execute its mission with confidence and precision.

About The Author

Andreas “AJ” Johansson is a 30-year fire service professional whose career has spanned federal, state, and local government. He started his career with the U.S. Forest Service in 1994 serving 5 seasons with the El Cariso Hotshots before transitioning to the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection. AJ has served the Corona Fire Dept (CA) from 2005-2025, achieving the rank of Fire Captain. For over a decade he has deployed with Incident Management Teams overseeing the “Situation Unit” whose purpose is to gather all aspects of intelligence on an incident and share that information across multiple domains to help first responders in their decision-making process. AJ has a passion for geospatial and mobile technologies and was a part of the California FIRESCOPE multi-agency committee on Emerging Information Technology.

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Jersey In Motion

Sasha DeVecchi — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:58:46 +0000

New Jersey In Motion

We have been a trusted partner in New Jersey for over 65 Years. Since 1960, Parsons has been a leader in delivering transformative services and solutions across New Jersey, addressing the state's most complex and critical infrastructure challenges.

Over the decades, we have delivered a variety of high-profile projects, including infrastructure development, transportation and transit systems, environmental sustainability initiatives, defense and security projects, and more. Our unwavering commitment to the Garden State's growth and development continues to drive our efforts to unlock a safer, smarter, more connected, and more sustainable New Jersey.

Our Core Values

Safety

Quality

We’re on a never-ending quest to improve our processes, services, and products. Our quality management systems ensure ISO 9001 compliance every time, and we offer robust testing and validation of our products and services, and comprehensive supplier management to meet stringent quality standards and provide our customers with unmatched results. Most of all, we listen. We listen to the ever-evolving industry and our customers to enhance understanding, capture key information, and deliver the level of quality that’s become our hallmark.

Integrity

Sustainability

Innovation

Parsons is an established innovation leader. Our creative work environment attracts the most sought-after employees, ensuring we deliver innovations that lead the industry and transform tomorrow for the better to our customers and the world. Through intensive research and development, partnerships, and rapid prototyping, we confidently provide inventive processes and unique solutions that offer unrivaled value to our customers.

Critical Infrastructure Key Services

From traditional to integrated project delivery methods, our expertise ranges from simple intersections to complex interchanges and integrated corridor management. As transportation departments face increased congestion and aging infrastructure, our experts are prepared with innovative strategies. We save time, maximize value, mitigate traffic impacts, and enhance safety as we work to improve community connections.

Bridges (Fixed and Moveable)
Civil
Construction Management
Constructability Review
Emergency Response
Environmental
Geotechnical
Highway

Hydrology & Hydraulics
ITS / ATMS
Program Management
Staff Augmentation
Transportation Planning
Traffic
Utility
Value Engineering

Bridges (Fixed and Moveable)
Civil
Construction Management
Constructability Review
Emergency Response
Environmental
Geotechnical
Highway
Hydrology & Hydraulics
ITS / ATMS
Program Management
Staff Augmentation
Transportation Planning
Traffic
Utility
Value Engineering

Learn More

Proven Expertise

Goethals Bridge Replacement P3

Elizabeth, NJ, and Staten Island, NY / $1B

Lead designer for new six-lane, cable-stayed bridge
Total crossing of roughly 7,300 feet
Includes roadway widening and reconstruction

Explore Project

Newark Bay Bridge Replacement

Newark and Bayonne, NJ / $2B

Main span length of 802 feet
New 8,800-foot-long crossings
150-year service life with state-of-the-art infrastructure tech

Hunts Point Contract 3

The Bronx, NY / $446M

Lead designer for improvements to interstate access
Will improve accessibility and enhance pedestrian safety
Includes staged construction, maintaining traffic through heavily traveled corridor

EWR Terminal A Redevelopment

Newark, NJ / $1.55B

Lead designer for civil and structural scope
Frontage roads include two 12-foot-wide travel and drop-off lanes
Includes a new elevated pedestrian walkway bridge

Hunts Point Contract 3

The Bronx, NY / $446M

Lead designer for improvements to interstate access
Will improve accessibility and enhance pedestrian safety
Includes staged construction, maintaining traffic through heavily traveled corridor

Grand Central Parkway Bridges

Queens, NY / $161M

Lead designer for deck repair and replacement of bridge decks and shared use path
Includes additional civil work for mainline

Newark Airtrain Replacement Program

Newark, NJ / $1.2B

Lead designer for driverless, on-airport transit system
Includes a 2.5-mile-long elevated guideway and three new stations

NJDOT Statewide

Statewide, NJ / $5.6M (fee)

Providing iNET® solutions for administration, installation, and management of statewide traffic operations
Providing coordination with and training to NJDOT staff

I-81 Viaduct Project

Syracuse, NY / $2.25B

Addressing structural deficiencies and non-standard highway features of a 1.4-mile elevated structure
Prepared EIS and concept development, performed preliminary design/program management

Route 35 Emergency Superstorm Sandy Repairs

Mantoloking and Bay Head, NJ / $13.9M

Roadway Infrastructure Restoration
Emergency Management
Environmental Studies

I-90 Over Oriskany Blvd

Albany and Syracuse Divisions, NY / $633K

Safety Improvements
Infrastructure Replacement
Maintenance of Traffic

RF Bridge (RK-23C)

New York, NY / $48M

Eliminated one straddle bent and one span
Used link slabs to reduce maintenance at expansion joints
Complex maintenance of traffic for the HRD below the connector

Explore Project

Innovative PMC Solutions For A Changing World

Recognized as the #1 Program Management Firm by Engineering News-Record, we deliver future-ready infrastructure and security solutions using cutting-edge technologies and advanced analytics, enabling smarter, faster, and more sustainable outcomes across the region.

Learn More

Ranked #1 In Program Management By ENR

We are a long-term strategic partner providing a full spectrum of program and construction management services and solutions. Whether providing planning and design, construction and operations, owner’s engineer, or integrated PMO services — we work closely with architects, engineers, contractors, and various stakeholders to ensure our program management solutions are tailored to meet expectations.

Our Program Management Excellence

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Meet Rebecca “Becky” Wong: Principal Project Manager At The Transbay DTX/Portal Program

Emily Espinosa — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 19:35:40 +0000

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

What’s your favorite thing about working for Parsons?

The people. I genuinely enjoy the people I work with and partner with. Finding those kinds of teammates, getting on projects with them, and having their support is what makes Parsons such a great place to work for me.

You’ve spent nearly two decades at Parsons working on some of the most complex rail and transit programs. What originally inspired you to pursue a career in transportation infrastructure?

With engineering, I liked the idea that you can see the physical results of your work. That’s what initially drew me to civil engineering. Transportation, in particular, appealed to me because these projects directly benefit the communities where we live and work. Helping people get where they need to go is meaningful, and that’s why I feel so passionate about transportation.

You’ve held multiple roles on the Transbay Program Downtown Rail Extension (DTX) project (now known as The Portal), from design engineer to deputy project manager to engineering manager. What makes this program so unique?

Having been involved with this project for a long time, I’ve been able to witness the evolution of the agency and the program firsthand. Although this program has taken a long time to come to fruition, there are actual benefits that go along with it. Over time, the agency and the program have been able to clearly define and optimize what’s truly needed for the public, the operators, and the many stakeholders. As the GEC, we have helped the agency essentialize the program into the core elements required to make the project successful and deliver something that can be used by everyone in San Francisco, the Bay Area, and ultimately the state. That long-term perspective has helped sharpen and strengthen the program.

Managing a design team of more than 100 staff and 15 consultants is no small effort. How do you keep teams aligned and motivated?

It has definitely been a challenge, especially with tight timelines for key deliverables when the agency was working to accelerate its preliminary engineering schedule. The most important factor is communication. Team members need to clearly understand their scope, what they are responsible for delivering, and how their work impacts other disciplines. Having the right touchpoints across the team ensures alignment and shared understanding. Connecting those dots and keeping the big picture in focus is actually one of my favorite parts of the job.

What are the most critical technical challenges a general engineering consultant must manage on a project like The Portal?

A key technical challenge is building entirely new infrastructure in a dense, established downtown urban environment. This is not a greenfield site. We are dealing with existing buildings, complex ground conditions, and a dense network of utilities. In addition to the dense urban environment, this project has another level of complexity because a large portion of the enabling work needs to be executed within Caltrain’s existing railyard and terminus. An essential part of the GEC’s design for this work is detailed construction staging to complete the modifications needed while still meeting Caltrain’s operational goals of maintaining their service throughout the construction of The Portal. Managing and mitigating these challenging constraints, and accounting for them in the design, is critical to the project’s success.

Stakeholder management is a huge part of the Transbay Program. How do you build trust and alignment across agencies?

It starts with understanding each stakeholder’s priorities and identifying what is a must-have versus a nice-to-have. From there, it is about coordinating those priorities to achieve the best overall outcome. Relationships are key. Building trust and understanding helps ensure everyone knows we are working toward the same goal: delivering the best possible project for the public.

As the program moves into its next phase, what are the key considerations for success of the program?

At this point, one of the most critical needs to ensure the program can be a success is to secure the balance of funding needed to construct the project. In particular, securing additional matching fund commitments will enable the agency to request Full Funding Grant Agreement through the FTA’s Capital Investment Grant program. An effective approach for this will be to build coalitions that support delivery of The Portal and partner with leaders that can advocate for the project and the TJPA’s mission.

Your experience includes BART, California High-Speed Rail, Sound Transit, the Oakland Airport Connector, and major P3 projects. How does that background help you anticipate challenges on Transbay?

I value having a balance of local projects and large-scale programs in my background. Understanding the Bay Area’s unique stakeholder environment is critical. At the same time, learning how other agencies approach project delivery is incredibly valuable. Seeing projects through ribbon-cutting and bringing those lessons learned back to Transbay helps keep the program moving forward and strengthens our overall approach.

When managing large multidisciplinary teams, what qualities define a high-performing engineering organization?

Communication, trust, and quality are essential. Strong leadership that brings disciplines together and ensures meaningful engagement, both internally as well as with clients and stakeholders, is critical. Parsons’ rigorous quality program is a real strength. It ensures consistency in approach across disciplines and helps us deliver a high-quality product.

What’s your approach to mentoring emerging engineers on complex mega programs?

What benefited me most early in my career was exposure to the bigger picture. Young engineers are often assigned very focused tasks, but understanding how their work fits into the broader schedule, how it impacts other disciplines and stakeholders, and how it serves the client is invaluable. Giving them that visibility early helps them grow and better understand what drives major programs.

If the public understood one thing about why the Transbay Program and particularly The Portal project matters, what would it be?

It delivers the last mile for both Caltrain and California High-Speed Rail, bringing both into the heart of downtown San Francisco. This program creates connections that will improve commutes, strengthen regional mobility, and increase the vitality of the Bay Area and the state as a whole.

What excites you most about the next chapter of the Transbay Program?

I’ve been on this project a long time, and my career has grown alongside it. Seeing the agency and the program mature has been incredibly rewarding. Now, being on the cusp of putting shovels in the ground is extremely exciting. I look forward to continuing to deliver the project and, one day, riding a train directly into the bottom level of the Salesforce Transit Center.

About The Author

Rebecca Wong brings extensive transportation engineering experience, including managing design teams and coordinating with multiple disciplines, subconsultants, and clients. She has developed contracts and project scopes, managed budgets, and prepared reports, specifications, and cost estimates. Rebecca has also created Visual Basic programs within Microsoft Excel to improve the efficiency of post-processing large quantities of data. Her experience additionally includes the structural design and analysis of bridges and tunnels.

The post Meet Rebecca “Becky” Wong: Principal Project Manager At The Transbay DTX/Portal Program appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

Autoroute 31/Autoroute 40 Overpass Replacement And Temporary Interchange Reconfiguration In Lavaltrie, Quebec

Emily Espinosa — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:50:56 +0000

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Across Canada, transportation agencies are increasingly asked to balance urgent infrastructure needs with long-term planning. Aging assets must be replaced quickly, traffic must keep moving, and communities cannot wait for perfect, future-state solutions. A recent highway interchange project in Quebec offers valuable lessons on how thoughtful design, collaboration, and a strong focus on safety can deliver lasting value, even when the solution is temporary.

Located about an hour north of Montreal, the Autoroute 31–Autoroute 40 interchange required the replacement of an existing overpass following inspections that identified structural deficiencies. Québec’s Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable prioritized construction of a new overpass to avoid service interruptions while longer-term plans for a full interchange redevelopment are studied. The challenge was clear: design an interim configuration that would safely serve motorists and the surrounding community for several years, while remaining compatible with a future permanent solution.

Putting Community Needs First

From the outset, the project was shaped by the needs of the people who rely on this corridor every day. Maintaining traffic flow in both directions on Autoroute 31 was essential, as was preserving access for local and agricultural vehicles. The temporary interchange configuration also had to fit between fixed tie-in points, an existing signalized intersection to the south and another existing overpass to the north. Both are to remain in place while their long-term redevelopment and integration into the future interchange is studied, leaving little room for traditional highway geometry.

Being unable to implement standard solutions into a constrained space, the design team focused on outcomes that matter most to users: predictable speeds, clear sight lines, and safe transitions. This user-centered approach helped ensure that, even with reduced widths and modified alignments, the roadway would feel intuitive, and at a minimum, and would prioritize safety for drivers navigating it for the first time.

Safety As The Primary Design Driver

One of the most important lessons from this project is learning the value of having safety guide every decision. Because not all modern design standards could be met within the available space, the team was required to prioritize critical safety criteria over driver comfort. Early in the process, a road safety audit was requested to validate assumptions and identify risks before detailed design progressed.

The result was a roadway with clearly defined speed zones, gradual acceleration and deceleration areas, and targeted geometric adjustments where needed. Where visibility was limited by vertical or horizontal constraints, the design was refined and enhanced signage was introduced. These measures help reduce uncertainty for drivers and lower the risk of sudden maneuvers an especially important consideration in a temporary configuration that will be in place for several years.

Building Responsibly On Challenging Ground

Another key challenge involved ground conditions. Portions of the new embankments would be built over unconsolidated clay soils, raising concerns about long-term settlement. Because some of these embankments may be reused in a future permanent interchange, the design adopted a long-term view, selecting pavement structures with a 30-year service life.

Lightweight fill was used strategically to limit settlement, paired with carefully designed transitions to conventional embankments. While largely invisible to the public, these decisions protect ride quality, reduce future maintenance needs, and support the responsible use of public investment. They also demonstrate how temporary infrastructure can be designed with durability and adaptability in mind.

Lessons That Extend Beyond One Project

Several broader lessons emerge from this work. First, flexibility is essential. When constraints make it impossible to apply standards “by the book,” engineers must adapt while staying grounded in sound safety principles. Second, early collaboration between designers, safety specialists, geotechnical experts, and the owner can prevent costly revisions later and build confidence in unconventional solutions. Finally, even temporary projects deserve long-term thinking. Designing interim infrastructure that can support future plans reduces waste, saves time, and benefits the community well beyond the initial mandate.

As Canada continues to modernize its transportation networks, projects like this highlight an important truth: success is not only measured by permanence. Sometimes, the most meaningful impact comes from temporary solutions that keep people moving safely today, while laying the groundwork for tomorrow.

About The Author

Daniel Morton is a transportation engineer with experience supporting municipal, design-build, and detailed design infrastructure projects across Canada. He brings a strong understanding of transportation planning and design standards, including the Transportation Association of Canada’s Geometric Design Guide and Québec’s MTQ norms. At Parsons, Daniel has contributed to more than 20 projects ranging from roadway expansions and bridge reconstructions to culvert rehabilitations and major interchange improvements. His experience spans highway design, maintenance of traffic, and preliminary and detailed engineering, with project work across Ontario and Québec. Daniel is passionate about delivering safe, efficient transportation solutions.

The post Autoroute 31/Autoroute 40 Overpass Replacement And Temporary Interchange Reconfiguration In Lavaltrie, Quebec appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

Creating Opportunity Through Infrastructure And People

Emily Espinosa — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 17:39:38 +0000

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Donna Williams Reflects On A Career Built To Last

When You Look Back At Your Career, What Moments Really Stand Out In Shaping Your Journey?

What stands out most is how early my path shifted from purely technical work into leadership. I started as a mechanical engineer in Washington, DC, and even then, I had a natural tendency to coordinate people and keep project tasks moving. Within 18 months, my manager created a project engineering role for me and pulled me off the technical team, allowing me to focus on making sure everything was running smoothly.

A defining moment came when our project manager had a medical emergency and was suddenly out. I stepped in and kept the project moving. Shortly after, I was promoted to project manager. That was a real inflection point where I realized I could lead complex efforts and people trusted me to do it.

How Did Parsons Help You Move From Technical Roles Into Leadership?

Parsons held a nationwide contract with the FAA to provide technical support services to modernize and maintain the National Airspace System across more than 600 locations in the United States. Early in my career, I managed a broad range of technical, engineering, project, and construction support services in the Southwest Region and later the Central Service Area, covering more than 20 states. In these roles, I progressed from a primarily technical focus into increasingly broader leadership responsibilities.

I was given opportunities to manage large, complex programs, open and grow offices in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, and take on major assignments like providing program management support services for the George Bush Intercontinental Airport Terminal Redevelopment Program for the Houston Airport System.

Parsons also taught me how decisions are made, how leaders think, and how strategy connects to execution. I was selected for the leadership council, one of a small group that shadowed the executive team, which was incredibly formative. Parsons is a diverse company with a philosophy that resonates with me because if you’re treated well and the work is meaningful, why leave? That environment made it possible for me to grow continuously while staying true to who I am.

With Mentorship As A Big Part Of Your Role Today, What Do You Look For, And How Do You Help People Find Their Path?

I look for people who are open to ideas, feedback, and different perspectives. The strongest teams are diverse in every sense from background and experience to age and methods of thinking. When you bring that kind of openness together, you get better ideas and better outcomes.

When I mentor, I focus on a few core things. First, as a mentee, you have to be willing to accept help from many directions. Second, listening is critical. When a mentor offers guidance, really listen and try to implement it. Even if the advice feels challenging, you won’t know if you don’t try.

I also remind people that growth takes time, and mistakes are part of the process. Don’t be so hard on yourself that you stop moving forward. Give yourself permission to learn.

What Makes Parsons A Place Where People Can Really Grow And Build A Long-Term Career?

Parsons is full of good people doing meaningful work. The projects span the globe, and there’s real flexibility to get involved in work that matches your interests, whether that’s technical, program management, leadership, or something in between. There’s a wide range of opportunities here, which means you’re never limited to just one path.

Also, the work itself matters. Being part of projects like airport infrastructure in Houston, where you’re helping move people safely across the country, is incredibly rewarding. When you combine meaningful impact, strong values, and a wide range of opportunities to grow, it creates an environment where people build more than careers, they build their future, as well as build likeminded industry-related communities.

Is There A Project Or Accomplishment You’re Especially Proud Of?

One that really stands out is the FAA program I mentioned earlier. It started very simply, on paper, and grew it into a 12-year program. What makes me most proud isn’t just the scale or the longevity, but the people behind it and how consistently they delivered exactly what the client needed.

By building strong relationships and truly listening to the client, we earned trust that led to repeat business. The work expanded across multiple FAA regions and created opportunities well beyond the original scope.

Has Your Career At Parsons Influenced Your Life Outside Of Work, And If So, How?

My life outside of work really complements what I do at Parsons. The leadership skills I’ve developed there have opened doors for me to serve in meaningful ways beyond the company. It’s influenced how I lead and serve everywhere else in my life.

I’ve been honored to be appointed by Former-President Bush and confirmed by the US Senate to serve on the Corporation for National and Community Service board of directors, based in Washington, DC, and later appointed by Texas Governor Perry to a higher education board of regents, where I served as chair for several years.

I was then appointed by Texas Governor Abbott to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Director, then Vice Chairman), giving me the opportunity to work with universities across Texas.

I’m an original member, and I still serve on the national advisory board The Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, dedicated to improving the lives of women throughout Texas.

Recently, the governor’s office notified me of his intent to appoint me to the Governor’s Commission for Women, where I’ll help support women-owned businesses and initiatives that advance women across the state.

What Trends Will Have The Biggest Impact On Aviation And Infrastructure?

Technology will have the biggest impact on the future of aviation. We’re already seeing the shift toward more hands-off, seamless experiences like checking in before you even get to the airport, dropping off baggage with minimal interaction, and moving through terminals more efficiently. That trend is only going to accelerate.

I’m also attending a conference in March focused on the technologies airports around the world are adopting, and it’s clear that the most forward-looking infrastructure projects are those that plan for flexibility and innovation.

About The Author

Donna Williams has extensive experience in program and project management, business development, engineering design, and construction on government and private-sector programs and projects. Her board expertise includes operations, administration, budgeting, negotiations, sales, and leadership/relationship development. She has specific mechanical experience that includes design of heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, plumbing, and fire protection and detection systems for commercial, industrial, and aviation facilities.

The post Creating Opportunity Through Infrastructure And People appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

Setting The Standard For Airspace Security At Global Events

Emily Espinosa — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:59:14 +0000

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

The scale and complexity of global events have changed. Stadiums are larger, cities are more connected, and the airspace above them is more active than ever. Unmanned aircraft systems, once a novelty, are now part of the everyday environment. With that reality comes a new class of risk that cannot be managed with temporary fixes or standalone tools.

For critical infrastructure and events that draw massive crowds and global attention to a single location, airspace security is no longer a specialized add-on. It is a core operational requirement.

Yet many event security strategies still treat drone activity as an edge case, something to be addressed with limited, short-term measures focused only on the most obvious risks. That approach is increasingly misaligned with the environments in which modern events actually take place.

Global Events Do Not Happen In Controlled Boxes

Major events rarely occur within a single, isolated venue. They unfold across dense urban ecosystems that include transportation networks, public spaces, broadcast infrastructure, and essential services. The airspace above these environments is shared, dynamic, and often congested.

In these settings, unauthorized or poorly controlled drone activity can disrupt operations, create safety concerns, and undermine public confidence, even when the intent is not overtly malicious. In rarer but higher-consequence scenarios, drones may be deliberately used to probe security measures or attempt physical harm.

The challenge for organizers and public safety partners is not simply stopping drones. Instead, it is maintaining safe, predictable, and controlled airspace without disrupting the flow, energy, and experience that make global events successful.

Why One-Size-Fits-All Solutions Fall Short

Most drone incidents at public events are caused by careless or uninformed operators. Addressing these incursions is important and relatively straightforward, and solutions can significantly reduce their frequency and impact.

However, designing airspace security solely around the most common scenarios creates blind spots. More sophisticated drone activity, whether intentional or accidental, often behaves differently. It can operate without obvious signals or originate well beyond venue boundaries. These cases are far less common, but they are also the ones most likely to escalate into serious safety or security incidents.

Effective airspace security must account for the full spectrum of risk, not just the easiest problems to solve.

From Tools To Systems Thinking

Rather than relying on individual tools or isolated capabilities, modern airspace security requires integrated solutions that provide continuous awareness across large, complex environments. Detection, assessment, and response must work together. In addition, they must be aligned with existing security operations rather than operating in parallel.

When airspace awareness is fully integrated into command and control, security teams gain clarity instead of noise. They can distinguish meaningful threats from background activity, reduce false alarms, and make informed decisions under pressure.

The goal is not more data, it is better understanding.

Response That Reflects Reality

Detection alone is not enough. Any response to airborne activity must account for safety, legal constraints, and the operational realities of live events.

Airspace security solutions must support a range of response options and allow decision-makers to choose the approach that best fits the environment, the risk level, and the moment. Just as importantly, these responses must be coordinated across agencies, venues, and jurisdictions.

At global events, fragmented action is itself a risk.

Proven Under Real-World Conditions

Performance matters most when conditions are least forgiving. Systems that work in demonstrations or controlled tests often behave differently when exposed to urban clutter, complex infrastructure, and the pace of live operations.

That is why rigorous testing, training, and operational preparation are critical. Technologies must be evaluated together, operational concepts refined, and operators trained using scenarios that reflect real-world complexity, not idealized conditions.

This discipline separates theoretical capability from operational readiness.

Built To Adapt, Not Just Deploy

The unmanned aircraft landscape will continue to evolve as new platforms, behaviors, and use cases emerge faster than traditional security solutions can be replaced.

Airspace security must therefore be designed for adaptation. Open, modular architectures allow new capabilities to be integrated as threats and technologies change. This preserves long-term value and avoids the cycle of constant replacement.

Flexibility is no longer a luxury, it is a prerequisite.

A Partner For The World’s Most Visible Moments

Global events carry immense visibility, responsibility, and consequence. They demand security partners who understand not just technology, but complexity, accountability, and public impact.

With decades of experience supporting critical infrastructure and high-consequence operations worldwide, We bring a systems-level perspective to airspace security, one grounded in real-world execution, not theoretical models.

By anticipating risk rather than reacting to it and by integrating airspace security into the broader operational fabric of events, We help ensure that the moments the world comes together to witness can proceed safely, smoothly, and with confidence.

The post Setting The Standard For Airspace Security At Global Events appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

2026 Engineering And Technical Excellence Award Winners

Emily Espinosa — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Estimated reading time: 23 minutes

Each year during National Engineers Week, we honor employees who exemplify technical excellence, innovation, and impact through our Engineering & Technical Excellence Awards.

These prestigious awards recognize individuals who demonstrate exceptional skill, creativity, and dedication—advancing their disciplines and delivering better outcomes for our customers. The 2026 awards celebrate 28 engineers and technical professionals from across the company, along with emerging talent recognized through our Rising Star Award, reflecting the next generation of innovators.

Together, these honorees embody Parsons’ commitment to Imagine Next by transforming complex challenges into real-world solutions that help shape a smarter, safer, and more connected future.

Engineering Excellence

David W., PE / Engineered Systems

David is a licensed professional engineer with decades of experience delivering complex electrical design and facility modernization projects for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He has deep expertise in FAA Orders, Advisory Circulars, and industry standards, and is consistently sought out for high-visibility, technically challenging work. As functional manager of the T5 Electrical Engineering team, he leads and mentors electrical engineers, aligning their assignments with project needs and maintaining high technical and quality standards across a nationwide portfolio.

David is recognized by both clients and colleagues for his innovative problem-solving, strong customer focus, and commitment to meeting aggressive schedules and budget constraints. He regularly identifies creative yet compliant engineering solutions, provides guidance to other engineers on difficult technical issues, and plays a key role in recruiting and developing talent. His leadership and technical contributions have directly strengthened client relationships, improved project outcomes, and helped the T5 Electrical Engineering team operate as a cohesive, high-performance group.

Matthew K., PE / Infrastructure North America

Leading by example is the guiding force that drives Matt. A firm believer in critical thinking and simple solutions, Matt enjoys leading his team across all facets of bridge engineering—including design, analysis, load rating, repair and rehabilitation, and inspection—to deliver high-quality results for clients while building the skills of his team along the way.

A natural teacher, Matt previously served as an adjunct instructor in Structural Analysis and Strength of Materials at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering while also serving as the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Assistant State Structures Design Engineer. Now the Structures Division Manager for the Parsons/BCC Tallahassee office, he is a member of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Civil Engineering Advisory Board.

Matt prides himself on being a trusted resource for FDOT on all structural matters, committed to supporting statewide needs whenever called upon. As an FHWA-qualified bridge inspection team leader for routine and non-redundant steel tension members (NSTM) and a structures design EOR on multiple projects, Matt builds his team around the guiding principle of integrity—serving as a trusted partner to clients and always acting in their best interests.

Meng S., M.A.Sc, PE, SE, P.Eng / Infrastructure North America

Meng, a passionate senior supervising engineer, is known for his exceptional expertise in complex bridge design. As a design lead and engineer of record, he has made significant contributions to the US 17/SR 404 Spur Bridge Major Maintenance Project. With solid technical knowledge, extensive design experience, and dedication to project success, Meng has successfully led his design team in overcoming numerous challenges and delivering innovative engineering solutions to achieve an unprecedented project goal—raising an existing cable-stayed bridge profile by 21 feet.

Meng’s notable achievements also include his outstanding contribution to the California High Speed-Rail Project, CP1, in Fresno, where his problem-solving and critical decision-making skills were pivotal in delivering effective solutions to complex and unique construction challenges through engineering services during construction (ESDC). His leadership and technical acumen have earned him the respect of peers, clients, and industry professionals, making him an invaluable asset to Parsons.

Nicole M., PE / Infrastructure North America

Nicole’s original life goal was to become a professional historian, following a passion for history and exploration passed down from her mother and grandmother. Later, high school math and physics teachers introduced her to a world where the practical application of numbers could solve real-world problems.

Now, Nicole is a senior bridge engineer and project manager with two decades of experience delivering complex, high-profile transportation infrastructure projects. Her work spans from new bridge design to the rehabilitation of landmark historic structures. She has advanced from junior roles to senior leadership on major bridge programs and is consistently trusted to manage multidisciplinary teams, guide clients through technical and regulatory challenges, and deliver work under intense public and stakeholder scrutiny.

Known for her calm, solution-oriented approach, she balances technical rigor with effective communication, helping owners make informed decisions while maintaining schedule, budget, and quality.
Nicole is particularly recognized for practical innovation—developing custom analysis tools, digital inspection aids, and automated workflows that reduce risk, improve efficiency, and enhance consistency across projects.

Beyond project delivery, she mentors emerging engineers and supports STEM outreach, specifically to those with no direct exposure to STEM fields. She also serves on the board of directors of New Jersey’s Roebling Museum, connecting her original passion for history with her current appreciation for major infrastructure, with the goal of promoting the visibility and value of the engineering profession.

Thomas C. / EMEA

Thomas is a senior BIM and digital delivery leader at Parsons with over 18 years of experience delivering complex infrastructure, buildings, and industrial projects across the UK, Middle East, and Asia. Currently embedded with the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY) at Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries (JCPDI), he serves as lead BIM specialist, playing a key role in establishing and governing a city-wide BIM and digital twin strategy.

In this role, Thomas has led multidisciplinary design coordination across major infrastructure and building programs, strengthening technical assurance, reducing interface risk, and enabling informed decision-making at both project and city scale. His work has supported improved design quality, constructability, and life-cycle outcomes through structured digital governance and data-led engineering workflows.

Thomas is recognized for his technical leadership, commitment to quality, and ability to translate complex engineering information into clear, actionable insight for senior stakeholders. He has also driven BIM capability development across multiple departments, mentoring engineers and project teams, and embedding consistent digital delivery practices. Through his leadership and governance, Thomas continues to support Parsons’ commitment to engineering excellence, innovation, and sustainable infrastructure delivery.

Richard Y., PE / Engineered Systems

Richard is an engineering manager at Parsons, currently serving as the deputy engineering manager for the Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) and lead process engineer for the QNI Vanguard project. With over 40 years of chemical process engineering experience, he has worked across petroleum refining, chemical weapons destruction, polysilicon production, waste-to-fuel, titanium production, wastewater treatment, and spent nuclear fuel enrichment/recovery.

Since rejoining Parsons in 2017 (after an earlier tenure beginning in 1989), Richard has led process engineering at BGCAPP through construction, operations, and closure, resolving complex design and operational challenges safely and efficiently. He has contributed to major projects, including the Chemical Stockpile Disposal Program, the Los Alamos Radioactive Liquid Waste Treatment Facility, RTI Titanium, Coskata cellulose ethanol, BGCAPP, and QNI Vanguard.

Richard is a hands-on leader known for detailed, cross-disciplinary troubleshooting on large, complex plants. He is also a subject-matter expert in Aspen Plus process simulation, has trained team members in its use, and has applied it to successfully resolve process data issues at BGCAPP, as well as to support numerous chemical process-focused business development proposals.

Saleh A., PhD, CEng MIEI, IntPE (Irl) / EMEA

Saleh is a senior project manager and project management leader with 20 years of multidisciplinary experience spanning Europe and the Middle East.

Based at Parsons in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saleh has led and supported major infrastructure, land development, and design review programs aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, delivering high-impact outcomes across water, roads, utilities, and urban growth frameworks.

Saleh has played a key role in enhancing engineering quality and efficiency by driving digital transformation, knowledge sharing, and cross-discipline collaboration. His work has included promoting advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and data analytics, to augment project delivery, risk mitigation, and design assurance. He has also actively participated in industry-level events and internal mentoring initiatives to cultivate technical excellence within the engineering community.

Known for his commitment to innovation, partnership, and professional development, Saleh’s contributions reflect both technical depth and strategic leadership. His efforts have strengthened client outcomes, empowered teams, and supported Parsons’ mission to advance resilient, sustainable engineering solutions around the world.

Technical Excellence

Anoop A. / EMEA

Anoop is a highly accomplished ELV, ICT, and security systems professional chartered engineer with over 16 years of technical and leadership experience in the design, engineering, implementation, and commissioning of complex technology infrastructures. He has played a key role in delivering large-scale smart city, ELV, security, and critical infrastructure projects across the region.

At Parsons, he is recognized for his expertise in integrated technology systems and has been instrumental in delivering Lusail City surveillance, Lusail Smart City initiatives, citywide Lusail fiber networks, AV solutions, life-safety systems, data centers, PSIM, and other security infrastructure programs. His ability to translate design intent into practical, field-ready solutions has made him a trusted technical leader on multidisciplinary projects. He serves as a subject matter expert, leading design reviews, system integration strategies, stakeholder coordination, project management, and site implementation oversight.

He has consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovation by introducing forward-thinking, practical solutions that improve project performance, optimize resources, and enhance operational efficiency across Lusail City infrastructure projects—most notably during FIFA 2022, earning strong recognition and appreciation from clients.

His excellence is reinforced by globally recognized certifications and training, and he mentors teams while fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, consistently raising the standard of engineering delivery.

Chad R. / Defense & Intelligence

Chad is vice president of the COTS Products Group for Space Engineering Solutions, where he has consistently demonstrated exceptional technical leadership. Chad’s group creates the products used to build satellite ground control systems.

Chad has been instrumental in developing Parsons’ Ground Operations Center as a Service (GOCaaS) and OrbitXchange, which use the COTS products to build a satellite ground operations center and ground antenna network that operate on Microsoft Azure GovCloud. His innovative approach and leadership led to the successful conversion of the COTS products from traditional Microsoft desktop applications to a cloud-ready set of Linux applications that are deployed as Kubernetes-orchestrated container images.

Chad and his team’s efforts have provided Parsons with a cloud-based satellite ground operations center that executes lights-out operations with success rates exceeding 99.9 percent. The innovative GOCaaS and OrbitXchange architecture has been included in multiple Space Engineering Solutions proposals and supports customers such as NASA, NOAA, DARPA, and the Space Development Agency.

Clifton R. / Defense & Intelligence

Cliff is the director of engineering for Parsons’ Ijamsville, MD, group within the TC2 Program Directorate under the high-consequence missions (HCM) sector. Since joining Silver Palm Technologies in 2013, which was acquired by Parsons in 2024, he has progressed from a junior RF engineer to a trusted technical and organizational leader, consistently demonstrating excellence in both engineering and management.

Cliff is known for fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment; aligning the technology roadmap with modern open-architecture standards; and driving reusable, scalable RF solutions that support mission-critical SIGINT and EW needs.

Cliff’s leadership has been central to winning and executing major programs, where he often serves as the technical solution lead and a key customer interface. He is recognized as a trusted partner by both internal stakeholders and customers, effectively managing complex technical challenges and aggressive schedules. In addition to his program and engineering responsibilities, Cliff has played a critical role in integrating his legacy organization into Parsons; promoting cross-site collaboration; mentoring early-career talent; and continuously seeking ways to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and enhance the impact of the engineering team.

Clint G. / Defense & Intelligence

Clint currently supports the Parsons Digital Engineering Team and has over 35 years of experience providing technical support for a broad range of contract efforts at SPARTA/Cobham/Parsons. These include several systems analysis projects, requirements trade studies, and software development projects for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Intelligence Centers (ICs), multiple software validation projects for both government and commercial customers, and numerous other software development tasks to enhance Parsons’ library of modeling and simulation tools.

He has played key roles in the development and maintenance of the Commanders’ Analysis and Planning Simulation (CAPS) and the JDP-BMD Engine for Defense Analysis (JEDA); the development of the missile defense analysis engine portion of the C2BMC Suite; and modeling, simulation, and analysis in support of hypersonic vehicle designs. His experience also includes intercept debris modeling and visualization, software
development and architecture analysis studies in support of TEAMS Next, the Land-Based Defense Study (LBDS) for the Strategic Capabilities Office of OSD, and NATO Active Layered Ballistic Missile Defense (ALTBMD) System Engineering and Integration (SE&I).

In addition, Clint has demonstrated the ability to apply Parsons’ digital engineering tools to produce quick-turnaround demos and analysis in support of business development efforts to enhance Parsons’ reputation and increase our opportunities for growth.

Dora T. / Infrastructure North America

Dora is the senior lead design engineer for stray current, corrosion control, and grounding at Parsons and a recognized authority in the discipline, with 37 years of experience shaping some of the world’s most complex infrastructure systems. Her work spans the full life cycle of transit and utility projects—from early design criteria through construction, testing, and long-term asset performance—where reliability, safety, and durability are non-negotiable.

Dora has contributed to major projects across North America and internationally, including the Valley Line West LRT in Edmonton; Dallas Area Rapid Transit; Houston METRO; Sound Transit (Seattle); MARTA (Atlanta); Honolulu Rail Transit; O’Hare International Airport Automated Transit System (Chicago); Foothill 2A and 2B, LA Metro–Westside Subway, BART, G-Line, and California High-Speed Rail, Silicon Valley Clean Water, and Perry Valley Pipeline (California); Purple Line LRT and Amtrak B&P Tunnel (Maryland); Benning Road Improvements (Washington, DC); Brookpark Shop-Yard Improvements (Ohio); NTA Tel-Aviv Metro; and the Dubai Floating Bridge and Al Shindagha Tunnel.

Known for anticipating issues before they become failures, Dora’s designs quietly endure—often preventing potential problems the public never sees. Equally committed to developing future engineers, she mentors through hands-on collaboration, emphasizing judgment, accountability, and rigor. Her career reflects a rare blend of technical mastery, foresight, and leadership that continues to elevate projects and people across Parsons.

Huda E., P.Eng, Msc, PSP / Corporate

Huda is a senior project controls specialist at Parsons, distinguished for her ability to integrate schedule, cost, and risk into coherent, insight‑driven frameworks that support the delivery of complex infrastructure programs across the Middle East and Canada. Since joining Parsons in 2022, she has been recognized as a pivotal resource in data‑driven project controls and performance management.

Huda inspired the development of an automated earned value framework that links Primavera P6, CFT, and Parsons’ cost systems, enabling consolidated, real‑time visibility in project performance. She designs and implements tailored Power BI dashboards that are actively used by stakeholders to monitor progress, enhance forecast reliability, and intervene early to address emerging issues, thereby strengthening both operational control and commercial outcomes.

Huda holds an MSc in Construction Project Management (Merit) from Heriot‑Watt University in the UK and has published research on life-cycle cost optimization for energy and water efficiency in residential buildings, as well as on the application of building information technology in cost management. Through a combination of robust academic grounding and applied innovation, Huda consistently advances Parsons’ project control capabilities and exemplifies high standards of professional and technical excellence.

Jeffrey H. / Infrastructure North America

Jeffrey leads Parsons’ drone program, bringing more than 13 years of experience advancing unmanned aircraft solutions across a wide range of applications. He is known for applying innovative and practical problem-solving to address complex client challenges. His deep expertise in unmanned aircraft technology, combined with extensive industry knowledge and relationships, has enabled him to serve effectively in technical leadership, business development, and program management roles, connecting resources across both Parsons and the broader industry.

Under Jeffrey’s leadership, the drone program evolved from an independent research and development effort into a fully integrated capability that supports teams across Parsons’ diverse portfolio. His team not only operates drones, but also develops software and select hardware, with members implementing advanced AI and machine learning solutions. Jeffrey has cultivated a culture of rapid innovation and technical excellence while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams spanning environmental, structural, and defense disciplines.

Masoud W. / Corporate

Masoud is a highly skilled construction and quality engineering professional with extensive expertise in delivering complex transit and communications infrastructure projects. He played a key role on the WMATA Radio and Cellular Infrastructure Replacement Project, ensuring the safe integration of next-generation radio and cellular systems across an active metropolitan rail network, while resolving complex construction and system integration challenges.

His technical leadership and field coordination have been critical in maintaining safety, constructability, and operational continuity while upholding ISO 9001-based QA/QC standards. Masoud’s ability to collaborate with contractors, engineers, inspectors, and agency partners has made him a trusted resource across project teams.
He has also contributed to programs for WMATA, Metro-North Railroad, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and international humanitarian infrastructure initiatives. Known for mentoring personnel and continuous improvement, Masoud consistently delivers measurable performance and quality outcomes. His dedication to excellence and innovation reflects Parsons’ core values and supports the communities its infrastructure serves.

Nafees S. / EMEA

Nafees is a BIM manager and digital delivery lead who combines strong technical expertise with strategic thinking to support complex planning and development projects. He is widely regarded as a trusted authority in his field, known for creating clear, scalable workflows that improve coordination, data reliability, and overall project efficiency. By applying structured yet flexible approaches, he reduces rework, enables smoother project progression, and enhances the quality and reliability of outcomes.

He embodies exceptional service delivery, approaching every task with ownership and a focus on accurate, timely, client-aligned outputs. Proactive and forward-thinking, Nafees supports teams beyond his formal responsibilities and contributes directly to operational excellence and client satisfaction.

Committed to innovation and continuous improvement, Nafees challenges traditional approaches, refines workflows, and shares knowledge generously. Through his initiative, accountability, and constructive communication, he demonstrates strong leadership qualities and makes a meaningful contribution to team performance and organizational success.

Quitman T. / Defense & Intelligence

Quitman is a dynamic systems engineer with nearly 30 years of experience in a variety of engineering disciplines. He began his career as an engineering co-op at SPARTA® in August of 1995. Over the years, he has been fortunate to support many different programs, including MSIC, NAVAIR, and USAFE. Although much of his experience has been in the reverse-engineering of traditional and conventional command and control systems, he has excelled at systems integration in support of the operational test and evaluation community.

That experience led him to become the chief architect of the Early Warning Capability (EWC), an operational, cyber-secure, resilient mesh network with multi-classification security, to enable C2 operations at the speed and bandwidth required to support tactical kill webs and complex data sharing across partner nations. Quitman continues to deliver engineering excellence with mission-critical solutions in response to the evolving threat within the USAFE theater; he leads a diverse and driven team that continues to anticipate the needs of the warfighter.

Sarah H. / Corporate

Sarah has more than 21 years of experience at Parsons, spanning quality, governance, and technical innovation. Her work focuses on applying artificial intelligence within established delivery and quality processes to improve consistency, decision-making, and outcomes.

She emphasizes practical use, ensuring new technologies support professional judgment, align with standards, and function across diverse teams and project types. Her contributions shape how AI is evaluated, governed, and used within quality management and project delivery environments.

Sarah works closely with technical, operational, and executive leaders to embed quality into everyday workflows and reinforce accountability. She believes technical excellence comes from thoughtful innovation, clear ownership, and a commitment to quality in everything delivered.

Stephen P., PhD / Engineered Systems

Stephen is a pioneering atmospheric scientist and software architect whose work has helped shape one of the world’s leading atmospheric transport and dispersion models and its associated decision-support tools. As an original developer and long-time technical leader, he has combined deep scientific expertise with exceptional software engineering skills, advancing both the underlying science and the usability, performance, and reliability of these capabilities for critical defense and national security applications.

Over a distinguished career spanning decades, Stephen has become the go-to subject matter expert for government customers and industry partners, frequently relied upon for his insight, problem-solving skills, and ability to anticipate and meet customer needs. He is widely recognized for his professionalism, work ethic, and quiet but influential leadership, as well as his commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists and engineers and fostering a culture of innovation, integrity, and technical excellence.

Travis W. / Engineered Systems

Travis serves as the technical lead for artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) on a premier counter-unmanned aircraft system (CUAS) product line and is widely recognized as a trusted subject matter expert by both internal leadership and external stakeholders. He is the driving force behind several advanced AI/ML capabilities that materially improve system performance, including novel synthetic training approaches and radar behavior analysis techniques that enhance detection of emerging threats while reducing false alarms. His architectures and workflows have been independently assessed as robust, modular, and rapidly adaptable, helping to establish AI/ML as a key differentiator in a fast-evolving mission space.

In addition to his technical contributions, Travis consistently delivers production-grade implementations and plays a hands-on role in lab, test, and operational environments. He is frequently requested to brief diverse audiences, translating complex AI/ML concepts into clear, mission-focused terms that build confidence and shape customer strategy. By combining deep technical expertise, innovation, and practical field support, Travis has become a key leader influencing both the technical direction of his product line and broader perceptions of his organization’s AI/ML capabilities.

Rising Star

Ahmed S. / EMEA

Ahmed is an assistant project manager with Parsons, supporting the delivery of complex infrastructure and land development projects across Abu Dhabi. He has played a key role in the Mid Island Parkway projects, phases 1 and 2, where his work spans technical coordination, authority engagement, commercial support, and project-level risk management.

Ahmed is recognized for his ability to take ownership beyond his formal role, providing structured solutions to coordination and approval challenges involving multiple stakeholders and authorities. His contributions have supported improved approval efficiency, reduced rework, and strengthened client confidence. He is particularly valued for his practical approach to innovation, introducing repeatable improvements to tracking, coordination, and decision-making processes that enhance overall project performance.

Known for his professionalism, initiative, and integrity, Ahmed works closely with senior leadership and multidisciplinary teams to support successful outcomes. His commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration, and value-driven delivery reflects Parsons’ core values and underpins his recognition as a Rising Star.

Daniel B. / Defense & Intelligence

During his tenure at Parsons, Daniel has become one of the core systems and software engineers behind applied AI work at the Digital Engineering Center of Excellence, owning end-to-end architecture, development, integration, and delivery across multiple AI products and pilots. He has led the design and implementation of TruGen, Construction AI, and the Digital Engineering Toolkit while simultaneously partnering and supporting other teams, including DT3E, EMEA Innovation, and the FAA proposal stakeholders.

His efforts have helped reduce thousands of hours of manual, error-prone work for both the DE CoE and partner teams, improving delivery speed, consistency, and deployment readiness across the portfolio. He looks forward to driving continued innovation in the years ahead across Parsons’ global community.

Kyle Z. / Defense & Intelligence

In the three years since joining the Parsons SOSS, Kyle has demonstrated exceptional technical and engineering excellence through his work with the Space Operations team. He has risen to become a subject matter expert, supporting multiple projects—including Blackjack, Polar Observation Environment Satellite Extended Life (POES EL), and Electro-Optical Weather Satellite (EWS )—across a range of technical areas.

Kyle’s efforts played a crucial role in securing Parsons as the prime contractor for the $30 million Blackjack project. His proficiency in engineering analysis and problem-solving has helped maintain mission readiness for on-orbit assets and extended the life of vehicles approaching retirement by more than two years. Kyle’s work operating on-orbit assets has contributed to advancements in cutting-edge communications and sensing technologies within the space domain.

He has been pivotal in reducing unnecessary work by introducing automation into day-to-day operations, enabling peers to focus on delivering critical data to customers as quickly as possible. Kyle’s professionalism and diligence have strengthened stakeholder relationships, and his team-focused mindset has kept morale strong in the face of ongoing challenges.

Lindsey G. / Infrastructure North America

Lindsey is a dedicated bridge engineer who has demonstrated exceptional technical knowledge and a commitment to excellence. She consistently produces high-quality work on complex projects thanks to her unwavering work ethic and careful attention to detail. She has quickly established a solid foundation in structural and seismic analysis, bridge inspection, and rehabilitation design, making key contributions to major Canadian structures, such as the Honoré-Mercier Bridge, the Jacques Cartier Bridge, and the Québec Bridge.

She is trained as a rope access structural inspector, bringing valuable field insight to her design and evaluation work. In her most recent inspection of the Québec Bridge, she played an instrumental role in the non-destructive testing (NDT) of pins, eyebars, and other critical members. Lindsey’s technical proficiency, efficiency, and collaborative attitude continue to drive innovation and success within the team.

Maysaa S. / EMEA

Maysaa is a landscape architect at Parsons with a strong focus on concept-driven design, creative thinking, and strategic landscape planning. She has played a key role in shaping high-profile projects by contributing to the development of cohesive landscape concepts, public realm character, and design narratives across multiple projects.

Recognized for her strong concept design skills and visual communication, Maysaa is adept at translating complex urban and environmental requirements into clear, compelling landscape strategies. Her work balances creativity with structure, ensuring design intent is both distinctive and deliverable. She is also known for her collaborative approach, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to align landscape design seamlessly within broader project frameworks.

Maysaa’s proactive mindset, reliability, and commitment to the design process reflect her growing impact within the practice and her potential for continued leadership in the field.

Max B. / Engineered Systems

Max is an environmental engineer whose work has focused on the delivery of complex remediation projects and associated technical documentation. He has contributed to the development and implementation of multifaceted remedial strategies, supported human health and ecological risk assessments, and led the preparation of key project reports and submittals. His work is characterized by a high level of technical rigor, clear organization, and the ability to independently manage complex analytical tasks and documentation with limited oversight. In addition, he has played a role in improving project efficiency by identifying and implementing opportunities to streamline reporting and communication while maintaining compliance with regulatory and client requirements.

In field settings, Max has served in leadership and coordination roles on challenging environmental projects; managing day-to-day activities; supporting quality control; and maintaining effective communication among project teams, clients, and other stakeholders. He is recognized for his systematic approach to data collection and evaluation; his focus on problem-solving and risk management; and his commitment to delivering defensible, high-quality work products. He also supports the development of junior staff through informal mentoring on technical tasks and project execution, contributing to the overall capability and resilience of project teams.

Tanner F. / Engineered Systems

Tanner is a rising technical leader and engineering lead, recognized for exceptional depth, ownership, and reliability well beyond his years of experience. A go-to resource for complex challenges, he rapidly understands problems, drives solutions to completion, and consistently delivers high-quality, mission-ready capabilities. He has played a key role in shaping and delivering biometric and access control solutions that meet stringent performance, security, and usability expectations, earning strong trust and confidence from stakeholders.

Beyond his core development responsibilities, Tanner frequently serves as a technical subject matter expert across multiple projects and customer environments, including international and multi-stakeholder efforts. He is known for his strategic, scalable engineering mindset, designing features for reuse, maintainability, and long-term sustainability while actively collaborating across teams to align workflows and interfaces. Tanner leads with action and humility, providing dependable support under pressure, mentoring teammates, communicating risks transparently, and consistently embodying his organization’s core values. His blend of technical excellence, customer focus, and steady leadership has established him as a trusted partner and a true rising star.

Zohaib A., PE / Infrastructure North America

Since joining Parsons, Zohaib has distinguished himself as a highly driven and technically adept bridge engineer, supporting the design and rehabilitation of complex transportation structures across the New York metropolitan area. He has played a key role in several high-profile bridge projects, including the Newark Bay Bridge Replacement Program, the NYSDOT Grand Central Parkway Rehabilitation, and the TBTA RK19A East River Suspended Span Rehabilitation.

Through this work, he has delivered structural calculations, staged construction analysis, finite element modeling, and complex non-standard bridge details. Zohaib is recognized for his proficiency in steel bridge design and strong command of AASHTO LRFD, consistently delivering high-quality technical work under demanding schedules.
Additionally, Zohaib is known for developing innovative calculation tools and modernizing engineering workflows through the integration of Blockpad, helping reshape how calculation packages are structured, automated, and delivered across project teams.

Zohaib’s commitment to technical excellence, quality, and mentorship has earned him strong recognition and positioned him as a trusted and rising technical resource within Parsons’ Bridge Technical Organization.

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How AI Is Reshaping Bridge Design And Infrastructure Delivery

Emily Espinosa — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 21:24:28 +0000

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept in infrastructure. It is already changing how we design, analyze, inspect, and manage bridges. Additionally, it is doing so in ways that directly improve safety, efficiency, and decision-making across the project life cycle.

Our focus is not on adopting technology for its own sake. Instead, our focus is on using AI where it delivers measurable value. This reduces manual effort, improves data quality, and enables engineers to spend more time solving complex problems and less time managing information.

From my perspective as chief technology officer, the most meaningful impact of AI in bridge engineering today falls into three categories: digital design automation, intelligent site intelligence, and enterprise-scale knowledge systems.

From Reality Capture To Intelligent Digital Twins

One AI application where we are advancing is the conversion of reality capture into intelligent digital models. Traditionally, developing a 3D model of an existing bridge has required extensive surveying and modeling from field measurements and legacy drawings. Many of these legacy drawings simply do not exist for older structures.

A strong example of this is our work on the Bridge of the Gods in Oregon, a major historic truss bridge where our team generated a BIM model from LiDAR scans and point cloud data. Working with Autodesk tools and internal automation scripts, the team developed a semi-automated workflow. This workflow converts the point cloud into a full structural model.

AI is now being trained to identify structural nodes directly from point clouds, eliminating one of the most time-consuming manual steps in the process. As a result, this enables engineers to rapidly build analysis-ready digital twins that can be used for structural assessment, rehabilitation planning, load modeling, and long-term asset management.

In practical terms, this approach allows agencies to make data-driven decisions about retrofitting infrastructure built decades ago, often with no original drawings. Importantly, it allows them to do so with a level of accuracy that was previously unattainable.

The long-term implication is significant. AI-driven scan-to-BIM workflows, first proven on projects like the Bridge of the Gods, will increasingly form the foundation for digital bridge inventories. These inventories support everything from inspection programs to predictive maintenance strategies.

AI-Enabled Site Intelligence At Scale

Another area where we are seeing immediate value is in AI-powered site intelligence. Using 3D camera systems and cloud-based inspection platforms, our teams can now capture geolocated visual records of bridge conditions and construction sites. These records are automatically indexed and linked to drawings and models.

This technology has already been deployed at scale on major international programs, including the Abu Dhabi Bridge Inspection Program. In that program, Parsons inspected more than 700 bridges across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The scope included vehicular bridges, pedestrian bridges, and culverts. Many were built decades ago with limited construction and maintenance records.

Instead of relying solely on written field reports, project managers and clients can virtually walk each site from their devices. Consequently, they can review conditions, compare changes over time and validate findings without having to physically visit the site.

AI plays a critical role in this workflow by aligning visual data with spatial models, enabling integrated virtual inspection and creating a searchable historical record of asset conditions. For large bridge portfolios like Abu Dhabi’s, this fundamentally changes how agencies approach condition assessment and capital planning.

It also improves safety. Inspectors spend less time in high-risk environments and engineering leaders can review site conditions remotely, reducing the need for repeated field visits.

Enterprise AI For Engineering Knowledge

Beyond field and design applications, AI is also transforming how we manage engineering knowledge across large organizations.

We operate an internal, secure AI platform that allows teams to analyze documents, drawings, specifications, and datasets while maintaining strict data governance. Engineers are using it to review plans, extract insights from technical reports, summarize design standards, and perform preliminary quality checks against established engineering criteria.

In one example, AI is now being used to automate portions of design compliance reviews, a task traditionally assigned to junior engineers. Instead of manually checking drawings against long technical checklists, AI performs an initial scan and flags potential gaps. This allows engineers to focus their expertise where it matters most.

This does not replace professional judgment. Instead, it augments it. The value lies in scale. AI can process thousands of pages of technical information in minutes, enabling teams to identify risks and inconsistencies far earlier in the delivery process.

What This Means For The Industry

The common thread across all of these applications, from the Bridge of the Gods, to the Abu Dhabi bridge network, to broader AI empowered design activities, is not automation for efficiency alone. More importantly, it is intelligence at scale.

AI allows us to integrate data sources that were previously disconnected, including point clouds, images, drawings, inspection reports, and asset inventories, into unified digital ecosystems. That integration enables better decisions, earlier insights, and more resilient infrastructure systems.

For agencies, this means improved transparency, stronger asset management, and better return on infrastructure investments. For engineers, it means shifting focus from repetitive manual tasks and towards higher-value analytical and strategic activities. Furthermore, for the next generation of infrastructure professionals, it means working in an environment where data, design, and delivery are fully connected.

We see AI not as a tool that replaces engineering, but as a platform that elevates it. Our responsibility is to deploy it thoughtfully, govern it rigorously, and continuously train our teams to use it effectively.

The future of bridge engineering will not be defined by algorithms alone. Instead, it will be defined by how well we combine human expertise with intelligent systems to design, maintain, and modernize the infrastructure which connect our communities together.

And that future is already here.

About The Author

James Birdsall, Chief Technology Officer INF NA, Dr. James (Jim) Birdsall is a Parsons Fellow and the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Infrastructure North America (INA). As INA-CTO, Jim focuses on empowering the broader INA colleagues and projects with the technology capabilities to successfully deliver for our clients. In parallel, Jim leads Parsons Digital Delivery Working Group and drives forward technology and AI enabled collaborative efforts within Parsons and amongst our technology providers. With his 21 years with Parsons including 5 years working in Abu Dhabi, Jim has amassed a wealth of experience in developing, structuring, and delivering technology empowered solutions and programs within bridge, rail, and large development programs across our North America and Middle East markets.

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Cost-Effective Construction Solutions For Aging Networks Amid Fiscal Constraints: The Hull Causeway Widening Project

Emily Espinosa — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 19:34:32 +0000

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Aging infrastructure, limited funding, and growing demands for safer mobility are challenges faced by many cities across Canada. The widening of the Hull Causeway, one of eight structures making up the Chaudière Crossing between Ottawa, Ontario, and Gatineau, Québec, shows how thoughtful engineering and innovative design can address all three, while delivering meaningful benefits to the local community.

The Chaudière Crossing, managed by Public Services and Procurement Canada, is one of five vehicular interprovincial crossings in the National Capital Region and one of only two that carry truck traffic. It plays a critical role in connecting the downtown cores of Ottawa and Gatineau and supporting daily commuting, commercial movement, and regional tourism. Originally built in the 1950s, the bridge carried two traffic lanes and a pedestrian walkway but lacked dedicated cycling facilities. Cyclists were forced to either mix with vehicle traffic or use the pedestrian space, creating safety concerns for everyone using the bridge.

The Need For A Better Solution

The initial concept for improving active transportation involved widening the bridge slightly and constructing a separate cycling structure alongside it. While this met functional requirements on paper, it introduced significant cost, complexity, and constructability challenges. The biggest issue lay beneath the bridge: a large and complex geological feature known as the Devil’s Hole.

The Devil’s Hole is a karst formation—an underground network of voids and cavities formed by erosion of the bedrock over time. Extensive investigations, including sonar surveys, drilling, and geotechnical modeling, revealed that these voids extended beneath key bridge foundations. In some areas, the bedrock supporting the structure was undercut, raising concerns about long-term stability along with worker safety during construction. As a result, strict work restrictions were imposed, including no-access zones and continuous monitoring requirements. These constraints forced the project team to rethink the approach.

An Integrated And Cost-Effective Design

Instead of building a separate cycling bridge, the team developed an alternative solution that widened the existing Hull Causeway enough to accommodate all users. The final configuration includes two 3.5-metre traffic lanes, two raised 2.0-metre cycle tracks—one in each direction—and a 2.0-metre sidewalk. This eliminated the need for a new standalone structure while significantly improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

This integrated design reduced construction footprint, minimized environmental and geotechnical risks, and lowered overall project cost. It also simplified operations for the community by keeping all users on a single, clearly organized structure.

Innovative Foundation Solutions

Addressing the Devil’s Hole was the most technically challenging aspect of the project. Traditional solutions, such as deep caisson foundations extending up to 50 metres into bedrock, were impractical given the restricted access, safety concerns, and high cost.

Instead, the team designed a reinforced concrete extension to the existing north abutment. This extension acts as a concrete pillar embedded in a rock pocket and anchored into the bedrock and existing structure using prestressed rock anchors and passive reinforcement dowels. This solution provided the required strength and stability without extensive excavation or heavy equipment in a restricted area.

Similar tailored solutions were applied elsewhere on the bridge. Micropiles were used at the south abutment to limit excavation. At the north approach, steel pipe piles were drilled below the influence of the Devil’s Hole, combining with rock anchors to reinforce the surrounding bedrock. The northwest pier, which showed signs of undercutting, was stabilized using inclined rock anchors and vertical dowels to secure the rock mass supporting the existing caissons.

Benefits To The Community

For the local community, the benefits of this project are immediate and long-lasting. Cyclists now have safe, dedicated space separated from vehicles and pedestrians. Pedestrians benefit from a clearer, more comfortable walkway. Drivers experience improved traffic flow on a critical interprovincial route.

Just as important, the project extends the life of a vital piece of infrastructure without major disruption to traffic or the surrounding environment. By avoiding unnecessary new structures and focusing on smart reuse and strengthening of existing assets, the project reflects responsible stewardship of public funds.

A Model For Aging Infrastructure

The Hull Causeway Widening demonstrates that innovative thinking does not always mean adding more—it often means doing more with what already exists. By combining detailed investigation, collaboration with construction partners, and adaptable design solutions, the project team transformed a complex geological challenge into an opportunity to deliver safer, more inclusive infrastructure.

As communities across Canada look to modernize aging transportation networks, this project offers a clear lesson: with the right approach, even the most difficult constraints can lead to better outcomes for the people who rely on these connections every day.

About The Author

Ryan O’Connell, is a principal project engineer in Parsons’ Ottawa office with exceptional experience as a structural design engineer in the planning, design, inspection, evaluation, rehabilitation, and construction of transportation structures, including highway and railway bridges. His experience includes detailed condition assessments, structural evaluations, renewal option analyses, existing structure life-cycle cost analyses, contract drawing and specification preparation, and construction services.

About The Author

Jack Ajrab is a senior technical director with extensive experience in project management, design, rehabilitation, and construction of complex bridge projects across Canada. His work includes signature and movable bridges such as the award-winning Vimy Memorial Bridge in Ottawa and the Placentia Lift Bridge in Newfoundland and Labrador. He is a recognized leader in structural evaluation, load rating, and seismic analysis and retrofit of road and railway bridges.

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