Geotechnical, Water, Ecology, Environmental, Construction Mgmt
Challenge The PSEG power generation station site was significantly damaged from the unrelenting pounding, over the course of several days, from Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The oil dock, shore-based infrastructure, and the south facing revetments sustained damage from the 100-year design storm surge and wave action. GZA was retained to perform an assessment of coastal … Read more
Challenge GZA was retained by Power Engineers, Inc., Owner’s Engineer to National Grid, to provide quality control observation and value engineering support for the Rhode Island Reliability Project (RIRP) portion of the $700 million NEEWS project, consisting of over 100 circuit miles of new 115kV and 345 kV above-ground transmission on over 60 miles of … Read more
Challenge GZA was asked to provide extensive geotechnical engineering services, in challenging settings, for two major natural gas pipeline expansions. Solution Complex subsurface exploration programs conducted from the water and on land, matting, and a temporary bridge were completed to assist in the design and construction of 13 horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and cut-and-cover crossings … Read more
Challenge In 2008, Deepwater Wind entered into an agreement with the State of Rhode Island to develop the first US offshore wind farm. The project consisted of 5 wind turbines located within Rhode Island state waters approximately 3 miles southeast of Block Island, Rhode Island. At this time, Europe had developed many offshore wind farms, … Read more
Challenge GZA was retained to complete third-party compliance monitoring pertaining to 401 Water Quality Certification conditions and use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for a project involving nearly eight miles of new pipeline, as well as upgrades of related facilities. Solution On behalf of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the … Read more
Challenge From permitting to construction completion, this solar development program in partnership with Kearsarge Energy – design and construction of a solar field atop three previously capped landfills – presented challenges: as the first project of its type in the state, the permitting process was without precedent; protection of the landfill caps was paramount; and as-built … Read more
Challenge Bowery Residents’ Committee retained GZA to investigate and remediate environmental contamination of a steeply-sloped, vacant brownfield site redeveloped into a 13-story supportive housing development with subsurface parking. Historic uses at the site included manufactured gas plant-related structures and an engineering research facility. The project was enrolled in the NYC Office of Environmental Remediation (NYC … Read more
Challenge GZA was selected to advance the City of Northampton’s Climate Resiliency and Regeneration Plan by providing conceptual to final construction-ready design of green infrastructure solutions to improve flood control and stormwater management during extreme weather events. Solution GZA is collaborating with the City of Northampton’s Office of Planning & Sustainability and Department of Public … Read more
Challenge Many of Borrego’s planned solar developments require Phase I habitat assessments for the federally-listed Northern Long-Eared Bat (NLEB) and Indiana Bat because the potential projects involve tree clearing within the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s NLEB buffer zone. GZA’s Ecological Services group was retained to conduct numerous Phase I assessments and provide reports required … Read more
Challenge Under a very tight schedule, Eversource Energy sought to obtain permits for reconstruction of lines accommodating delivery of increased power to the new Towantic Generating Station. The power line corridor traverses a salt marsh, freshwater wetlands, an ash landfill, numerous residential properties, and Federal Aviation Administration airspace. The transmission line upgrades (structure replacements and … Read more
Challenge The airport’s proposed runway extension required seven separate environmental permitting processes at the most stringent regulatory levels. GZA has served as the natural resource consultant for this coastal airport—which has rivers and wetlands at both ends of the runway and rare species associated with the immediately adjacent habitats—for many years. Solution The MEPA/NEPA process … Read more
Challenge GZA was retained by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) to prepare an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for implementation of the Seaside State Park Master Plan. The 32-acre site, occupied by a long-abandoned, historically-significant former State Tuberculosis Hospital, had been declared surplus property in the late 1990s and incorporated into … Read more
Challenge In response to current and anticipated water demands, a New England municipality explored options to increase the storage capacity within its water supply system. Their analysis included the feasibility of raising the elevation of a 100-acre pond, integral to its water supply system, by up to 10 feet. GZA helped evaluate the potential environmental … Read more
Challenge Faced with an Office of Dam Safety Order to repair the dam or take it down, the City asked GZA to identify the most cost-effective approach, provide design plans, obtain necessary permits, and act as the resident engineer during construction. The earthen dam with a stone masonry spillway is an approximately 35 feet tall … Read more
Challenge Eversource Energy (Eversource) maintains miles of electrical infrastructure to support current and projected electricity demands. When the aged and deteriorating wooden utility poles along the L176 Transmission Line (115 kV) required replacement, GZA was engaged by Eversource to provide full-service, multidisciplinary support from the beginning stages of data collection through the construction phase of … Read more
Challenge The 32-acre property on the Mystic River selected for the Encore Boston Harbor resort and casino had been impacted by historic chemical manufacturing use; much of the site was on salt marsh that had been filled with waste materials from operations at the site and/or nearby facilities. The buildings on the property were razed … Read more
Challenge The Luther’s Reservoir Dam and Pumping Station are critical to the water supply system for the City of Attleboro. When the dam was deemed to be in poor condition and the pumping station found to be in need of modernization, GZA was retained to provide comprehensive dam safety and water supply engineering services to … Read more
Challenge In 2010, when coal tar was detected in the harbor adjacent to a former manufactured gas plant (MGP) site, GZA was retained to analyze the preliminary site investigation data previously collected. The redeveloped site now spans upland and in-water properties owned and operated by several different entities. GZA’s services expanded as client’s needs grew … Read more
Challenge The Long Wharf area of New Haven, located within FEMA VE and AE high risk flood hazard zones, is highly vulnerable to coastal flooding. It has historically experienced severe flooding and flood damage from hurricanes and extreme weather events dating to the Hurricane of 1938 and more recently during Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy. … Read more
Challenge GZA provides identification, quantification and assessment of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) and lead-based paint (LBP) at active, high-profile, high-traffic Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) facilities throughout the region, safely completing numerous projects simultaneously. Solution Experienced and licensed GZA field staff provide oversight, project control, inspection, monitoring, and air testing for safe … Read more