2026 ACEC-NH & NHDOT Technical Exchange Conference

Session 1A: Restoration of the Elizabeth River Lift Bridge
Speaker: Amanda Ruyack & Bryan Seitz, Hardesty & Hanover
- The Elizabeth River Lift Bridge was constructed in 1958 and provides a vital rail link across the intercoastal waterway in Virginia. In June 2024, rail service was disrupted when a vessel struck the bridge’s approach truss that is adjacent to the vertical lift span. The approach truss was severely damaged and dislocated. The lift span tower, which is supported by the approach truss, was displaced. The emergency response, design e,orts, and repairs were expedited with LiDAR surveying and the creation of a 3D digital twin model, allowing for rail service to be restored in just 5 months.

Session 1B: Hinsdale-Brattleboro Construction Perspective
Speakers: Dustin Littlefield, Reed & Reed
- This session will provide an overview of the recently completed Hinsdale-Brattleboro bridge project, highlighting the successes of the project, and providing lessons learned on this multi-year project.  Dustin will provide insight from the contractor’s perspective on what made the project was a great success, and what could be done to improve on future projects.  

Session 6A: Exit 16 DDI, Colchester, Vermont
Speakers: Michael LaCroix & Ben Tietze, VTrans
-This presentation will share an overview of the Vermont Agency of Transportation’s Exit 16 DDI project from its concept to its active construction. VTrans is excited to share various aspects of the project, including the history, purpose and need, design and permitting challenges, public outreach and educational components and finally, construction updates.

Session 6B: Pelham Roundabout #41751
Speaker: Greg Bakos, VHB; Anthony Puntin, UNH
-This presentation will track the evolution of two adjacent CMAQ funded roundabouts from conception through construction. The presenters will reflect on how roundabouts were selected as the preferred alternatives during the engineering study phase, and why they were split into two separate projects after preliminary design and NEPA were completed. The first roundabout is constructed and operational and the second is approaching construction advertisement. Come hear about project challenges, lessons learned, and how no two LPA projects are alike.        

Session 10A: ConnDOT Interchange
Speaker: Kimberly Lesay, HNTB; David Schweitzer, HNTB
- The Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) process guided the evaluation of the I 84/Route 8 “Mixmaster” Interchange in Waterbury, addressing aging structures and outdated geometry. Attendees will learn how the team used PEL to identify community needs, develop multimodal solutions, and screen alternatives for advancement into NEPA. The session highlights effective collaboration between planners and engineers and demonstrates how PEL can be utilized to position complex projects for streamlined NEPA progression while also identifying early independent project opportunities.

Session 10B: I-277 Exit 3A North Carolina (Video Game)
Speakers: Smith Siromaskul, HDR
- Have you ever had traffic be so bad that it became a video game?  This is the story of one such location, the background on how it came to be, and how the announcement of a video game led to an effort to implement more cost-effective relief instead of waiting for a much higher cost corridor project.  The video game is focused on that 200-meter-long multilane weave and the resulting chaos that ensues.  News of the impeding video game triggered renewed emphasis on finding a solution that could be funded and built quickly.

Session 14A: ABC UHPC Overlay Bridge Replacement, Rockingham, VT 
Speaker: Adam Stockin & Tim Polson, WSP
-This Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) project consisted of the replacement of a 59’ steel beam bridge perched on deep ledge cuts over the Green Mountain Railroad carrying Route 5 built in 1929. To minimize impacts to the traveling public and the railroad, the bridge was replaced in 28 days.  The proposed bridge consisted of cast in place subfootings with dowels into existing ledge and prefabricated substructure and superstructure units.
While UHPC overlays are typically utilized for deck rehabilitation projects, VTrans received an increase in the federal share to utilize this innovative technology for this replacement project. One of the project goals was to serve as a pilot project for VTrans to better understand specifying and constructing UHPC overlays to add this tool to the toolbox for future bridge rehabilitations. The specification was created for this project and included a mockup pour at the specified 7% profile grade prior to the overlay deck placement. Since this was the first placement of its kind in the region, this mockup built confidence for the owner and contractor for the ultimate placement. As another avenue to learn more about the material, VTrans required that the overlay be placed one half at a time to resemble the typical phased construction placement.
The project was successful in meeting the current needs of the community while providing future value for the use of this innovative technology which greatly increases the service life of bridges.

Session 14B: Delivering a Multi-phased Bridge Rehabilitation for the I-89 Connecticut River Crossing that Improves Roadway Capacity
Speakers: TBD
-Located between Exit 20 in New Hampshire and the I 89/I 91 interchange in Vermont, the bridges carrying I-89 over the Connecticut River have received limited repairs since their construction in the 1960s. Their Red List designation based on their deteriorated superstructures, growing traffic demands, and constrained work zone created a complex challenge requiring a coordinated, multi year effort across both states and several disciplines. This presentation will show how the design team addressed these challenges to correct structural deficiencies and improve roadway capacity, and how the construction team is implementing the design.