October 2020 Letter from the Editor

Hello BSCESNews readers! Our theme this month is “Transportation” – a hot topic for civil engineers and political aficionados alike. While we’re still waiting for the Infrastructure Bill to pass, we don’t have to wait to read about transportation projects and activities in this issue of BSCESNews.

For updates, check out Transportation & Development Institute (TD&I) Chair Tyler de Ruiter’s (BETA Group) Group Report for news about current TD&I activities. AnaCristina Fragoso (WSP) gives us an update of the goings-on (and lack thereof) of local and federal transportation bills in her Government Affairs and Professional Practice Committee update. BSCES President Bruce Jacobs gives us a “climate change call to arms” in his President’s Report.

Step into the future with Alison McGee (RoadBotics) and Bill Scully’s (Green International Affiliates) article about pavement management using Artificial Intelligence. Dive back into the past with Mike Sullivan’s (CHA) article about the “Great Wall of Canton.” Lisa Sherman’s (CDM Smith) article spans both the past and future with an update of the revitalization of historic Union Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Dave Manugian (Town of Bedford) takes us through the speedy weekend replacement of the Routes 4 and 225 Bridge over the Shawsheen River in Bedford, MA. Don’t miss the updates and engaging stories in these articles.

Before writing this letter, I reflected on how much transportation has changed for me while recently dragging myself through a 6K charity run in support of Water for People. Pre-pandemic, my work commute consisted of T-rides into the city followed by a run-commute home about 3 times a week (other days I would take the T home or perhaps catch a Lyft after attending a social event downtown). Run-commuting both forced me to exercise consistently and allowed me to skip the delays often experienced during the evening commute on the Red Line in Boston. Now, my commute consists of walking 3 steps into my home office, and my motivation to run has dropped precipitously. I do, however, log quite a few more miles by bike with my Corgi puppy, Scout, in tow, and judging from the backlog in bike and bike part orders online, I’m not alone in dusting off my pedals. When we return to our offices, will our new transportation habits come with us? And will municipalities and communities also rethink their investment strategies to adapt to our future commutes, whichever form they take? I look forward to seeing how the new ideas and innovations that come out of this period shape how we move about the world in the future.

Figure 1. Photo of BSCESNews Editor, 
Katie Swanson, and her corgi puppy, 
Scout, on a bike ride

As you read this month’s issue and reflect on your own transportation habits, feel free to reach out with any questions, thoughts, or feedback. Engage with us on social media (Twitter: @BSCESNews  or @BSCES, LinkedIn: BSCES LinkedIn Group, or send an email to Newsletter.Board@BSCES.org.

Happy reading!