Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/708507
14 AI Engineers, Inc. Traffic-friendly techniques W hen ConnDOT needed busy bridges rehabilitated, it chose AI for final design plans, specifications and construction cost estimates. AI put two cutting-edge techniques to work to get the jobs done. The bridges — in Stratford and Waterford — each presented their own set of challenges, said AI Senior Vice President, Rohit Pradhan, PE. And to add to the complexity, some of the bridges involve active railways, under busy highways. Work on the Waterford bridges over Oil Mill Road — which see up to 52,000 cars a day — will employ the lateral slide accelerated bridge construction (ABC) technique to save time and motorists' aggravation. "We are going to build half the bridge at one time on the side Brooklyn Bridge, NY Boosting an iconic bridge W hen it comes to bridge engineering, AI is a company out in front. Its ongoing work on the high-profile Brooklyn Bridge — an iconic structure opened in 1883 — is an example of how AI gets the job done, and then some, all the while preserving a structure's unique historic elements. "AI started as an inspection contractor for the catwalk under the bridge in 2012," said Senior Structural Engineer, Michael Parciasepe, PE, a team member AI considers out in front in terms of experience and knowledge. "The client, Skanska-Koch, was very happy, so now we are the subcontractor that handles all the steel repair design on that bridge," he said, "including inspection design, drafting, repairs, and re - placements." AI also has a full-time liaison on the bridge site, Tracy Blaine, PE, said Mr. Parciasepe. "You only see that when there is a good relationship between client and contractor." he noted. "With a bridge of this age, options to slow deterioration can be limited," said Mr. Parciasepe, "The façade has to be kept historic. AI needs to ensure that new steel added to bolster or replace older, weaker steel from the late1800s will not jeopardize the existing structure." Mr. Parciasepe appreciates the trust the State of New York, City of New York, and Skanska-Koch has in AI's experience. And being up in a harness under the bridge when President Obama flew into Manhattan on Marine One was a memory Mr. Parciasepe won't soon forget. "Nothing beats when someone says 'What project are you working on?' and I say, 'The Brooklyn Bridge.'" ' Nothing beats when someone says 'What project are you working on?' and I say, 'The Brooklyn Bridge.' ' – Michael Parciasepe, PE, Senior Structural Engineer Delivering Infrastructure Solutions