2026 ACEC-NH & NHDOT Technical Exchange Conference

Session 2A: Alton Iceway
Speakers: Jason Leavitt, NHDOT
- The Alton Bay Ice Runway (B18) on Lake Winnipesaukee is the only FAA designated, plowed, public use ice runway in the contiguous United States. Operating entirely on natural ice, it typically consists of a minimum 2,600 foot by 100 foot runway, parallel taxiway, and marked parking area. Yellow cones define runway edges and thresholds, with orange cones for taxi routes and parking. Multi point ice thickness checks and surface assessments ensure adequate load bearing capacity for aircraft and equipment. Operating strictly under VFR, the airfield is reconstructed each winter, relying on specific practices that support safe seasonal aviation.

Session 2B: Beyond the Surface: What the New MOP 130 “Waterfront Facilities Inspection and Assessment” Reveals About Hidden Deterioration in Waterfront Structures
Speakers: Noah Elwood & Dan DelTufo, Appledore Marine Engineering
- Waterfront structures are failing in ways many engineers still aren’t looking for. The newly released ASCE Manual of Practice No. 130: Waterfront Facilities Inspection and Assessment updates decades of practice with clearer guidance, modern material science, and structure-specific deterioration pathways. Yet many of these mechanisms remain misunderstood or misdiagnosed in the field. This presentation highlights the most consequential updates to MOP 130 and showcases real-world deterioration modes that quietly drive risk: accelerated low-water corrosion (ALWC), hidden timber decay revealed through resistance drilling, stray current corrosion and more. Using case studies from New England and recent federal inspection programs, we will explore how these mechanisms evolve, how they differ from textbook assumptions, and how MOP 130 reframes best practices for condition assessment, risk ranking, and life-cycle planning. Attendees will leave with practical tools to improve inspection accuracy—and avoid costly surprises hidden below the waterline.