Upcoming: Infrastructure Insider: America has a Bridge Problem…Is Your City Next?

The countrywide problem of our nation’s bridges, as detailed in the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, is severe.

GHD’s infrastructure and transportation experts will explore these concerns and discuss solutions to prevent future bridge failures and tragedies.

More than 40 percent of bridges in the United States are at least 50 years old. And more than 46,000 are considered structurally deficient and in “poor” condition. As evidenced by the recent Pittsburgh bridge collapse — where thankfully lives were spared — this gap in bridge quality must be addressed by states and municipalities urgently to protect our communities across America.

This webinar will address how we can use the boon of the $1.2-trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to help address the many issues facing this country’s bridge infrastructure. By repairing and modernizing these structures, we can prevent posted load restrictions from slowing down trucks and hindering shipping operations, and fewer traffic delays means greater efficiency for businesses.

Learning Objectives:

• Urging statewide and local agencies to think differently and be more innovative about procurement and project delivery going forward.
• Learning how the IIJA will help support much-needed bridge projects around the country, and how states can take full advantage of this funding.
• Teaching innovative approaches for municipalities to replace bridges systematically for a better outcome.

Speakers:

Maria Lehman, P.E, F.ASCE, ENV SP

Infrastructure Market Leader for the United States at GHD

Maria was the former Vice President for Critical Infrastructure for Parsons, COO and Acting Executive Director of the New York State Thruway Authority and Commissioner of Public Works for Erie County, NY. She has 40 years of diverse, increasingly responsible, multi-disciplinary technical and leadership experience. She received her BS in Civil Engineering at the State University of New York at Buffalo, Magna Cum Laude, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in several states.  She is currently the National President Elect-elect for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Maria has won numerous national, statewide and local awards including and the ASCE President’s Medal, Edmund Friedman Young Engineer Award, UB’s School of Engineering Alumna of the Year, NY Governor’s Award for Excellence in Business, and the New York State Society of Professional Engineers Engineering Manager of the Year.

William Silva, P.E., QSD/P, CDT

Principal/VP at GHD

Bill received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from California State Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. Starting as a Public Agency Engineer in Washington State, he returned to California and transitioned into engineering consulting with a focus on public infrastructure. Bill has nearly 30 years’ experience in public sector civil engineering and transportation design. With nearly 23 years at GHD, Bill has delivered projects through roles of increasing responsibility from Lead Project Engineer, Quality Control Engineer through Principal-in-Charge, and successfully led projects using Design Bid Build and Design Build project delivery methods. His experience includes a broad cross section of Public Infrastructure design, including interchanges, complete streets, roundabouts, active transportation and bridge design, as well as large-scale redevelopment and utilities design. He has a deep background in all phases of project planning and design through construction and has managed infrastructure improvement projects in multiple states.