Complex transportation projects like design-builds (DBs) hinge on seamless partnership between contractor and designer. Communication and collaboration are essential, which is why VHB has invested in building strong, ongoing relationships with construction partners like Skanska. Rooted in a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaboration with the client, the VHB-Skanska team offers clients the benefits of best-in-class innovation, engineering and construction talent with the winning combination of local experience and global acumen. VHB and Skanska have collaborated on significant transportation projects—including several design-build initiatives—for state and local transportation agencies throughout the East Coast.
Advancing Safety Improvements
In our most recent collaboration, VHB is the lead designer of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s (RIDOT) Bridge Group 4R DB project, which Skanska is leading as a joint-venture with McCourt and Aetna Bridge. Aiming to improve safety and bridge structural sufficiency along I-95, this massive $625 million DB project involves the new construction, removal, replacement, or rehabilitation of 19 bridges; an interchange reconstruction; traffic, safety, and ITS improvements; approximately six miles of median barrier and lighting replacement; a road diet with a bicycle path; and drainage system reconstruction with stormwater treatment improvements. VHB and Skanska’s approach helps RIDOT minimize this project’s impacts on travelers through design and phasing enhancements that maintain traffic flow through offline construction and minimized traffic shifts.
Expanding Transportation Options
Among the distinguished projects that best showcase the strength of this partnership is South Coast Rail (SCR), a $1.1B mega-project, which recently reinstated rail service between Boston and southeastern Massachusetts for the first time since the late 1950s. VHB’s strong relationships with the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)—including more than 30 years of experience on the SCR project team—combined with Skanska’s expansive transportation construction capabilities, delivered a successful launch of passenger service from Boston to Taunton, Fall River, and New Bedford. This significant initiative aims to boost economic vitality in Southeastern Massachusetts by improving transit access between job centers and housing.
Improving Urban Mobility
VHB and Skanska teamed up for the $459M Hunts Point Interstate Access Improvement project, which involved the reconstruction of a busy freeway through a congested urban corridor in Bronx, NY while maintaining the existing number of mainline travel lanes. VHB led the civil design while Skanska spearheaded construction of the roadway reconfigurations and a new shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists. Extensive design coordination and collaboration among the DB team helped to meet an aggressive construction schedule while minimizing costs and meeting all project requirements.
Upon completion, the project will enhance the livability of the Hunts Point community, with construction of a new park, access to the Bronx River waterfront, and improved air quality from the redirection of commercial traffic.
Enhancing Connectivity across the East Coast
Another notable collaboration is the Long Bridge expansion, sponsored by the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VRPA). As the only railroad bridge connecting Virginia to Washington, DC, Long Bridge is a critical link that, when expanded, will double the long-term capacity for passenger and freight rail traffic, improve the reliability of service, and provide a more cohesive railroad network connection between the northeast and southeast. VHB led the Preliminary Engineering phase for the overall project and is now serving as owner’s representative reviewing final design submittals for the North Contract Progressive Design-Build (PDB) delivery led by Skanska, as well as the recently awarded South Contract Design-Build. Once completed, the $2.2 billion Long Bridge project will enhance equitable mobility options and overall connectivity along the corridor.
Commemorating a Successful Partnership
"Our ability to successfully deliver complex infrastructure projects for Owners requires working in lockstep with our Teaming Partner,” says VHB’s Regional Operations Manager, Bob Penfield. “Working with Skanska over the years, we’ve built trust, seamless communication, and a shared mindset centered on innovation and quality. We’re excited to continue pursuing collaborative opportunities with them.”
“The design-build method creates opportunities for teams to radically innovate towards the most efficient infrastructure project design,” remarks Paul Pedini, Senior Vice President, Skanska. “Only a few design engineering partners are truly able to think and act outside the box. VHB has brought that capacity to our design build procurements, collaborating with us to create successful proposals and award-winning projects.”
Learn about VHB’s leadership in delivering complex design-build transportation projects.
