SPS New England, Inc.

SPS is making way for TMA’s! Last month began a series of hands-on training sessions for employees to practice driving and operating TMA trucks, including navigating tight spaces between cones. Special thanks to Seth Woelkers of J-TECH who was on site to go over the truck mounted attenuator (TMA) with attendees.

Ethan MacLelland joins SPS as a Field Engineer. He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut where he majored in Mechanical Engineering and Astrophysics. When he's not working you can find Ethan at the gym, on a hike, or enjoying some rest and relaxation. Congratulations, Ethan; welcome aboard! #SPSNE #SPSteam

Happy Independence Day from all of us at SPS New England and our many job sites proudly displaying the red, white, and blue. Let us celebrate this great country, the blessing of freedom, and the privileges that come with it. On this symbolic day, may we celebrate our freedom, salute those who made this possible and keep it safe, and stand in unity as a nation. #IndependenceDay #4thofJuly #SPSNE

Through the Railroad Construction Company, Inc. - SPS New England, Inc. Joint Venture, our team is proud to continue to work with the MBTA towards the goal of eliminating all speed restrictions by the end of 2024. It takes an army to meet such an ambitious goal, and we couldn’t have made this progress without the help of the best field, office, and support staff in the business! Thank you to all who have contributed to our successes so far, and we’ll see you on the next one!

Originally from Newburyport, MA, Logan Schilling attends CalPoly in San Luis Obispo, CA where he is working towards a Mechanical Engineering degree. Logan decided to intern with SPS for the opportunity to get hands on experience with a team from different backgrounds, allowing him to see what the construction industry is like and gaining valuable insights from people with varying expertise. Congratulations, Logan; welcome aboard! #SPSNE #SPSteam #SummerIntern #InternSpotlight

This month’s SPS Safety Focus is all about Scaffolding. Scaffolding hazards continue to rank high on the list of the most frequently cited standards in the construction industry. Additionally, scaffold-related fatalities account for a significant number of fatalities in the construction workplace. #SPSNE #Scaffolding #ConstructionSafety

I-90/I-95 Newton-Weston Project Update: The SPS-Walsh Joint Venture crews continue I-90 mainline Stage 1 bridge construction. Pier cofferdam construction in the Charles River has completed and crews have been moving forward with driven piles, tremie seal, concrete pile cap and lower column placements of Pier 2. This work has included 400 cubic yards of recently placed concrete for the Pier 2 bridge foundation elements. Kudos to the crew for their hard work and dedication. It's efforts like these that lay the foundation for not just structures, but also for strong teamwork and project success. Shout out to Benevento Companies for delivering a quality product and Independent Concrete Pumping for their support in the placement operation. #SPSWalshJV #SPSNE #MassDOT #heavycivilconstruction The Walsh Group - Walsh Construction & Archer Western

As we wrap up another MBTA surge, I take a moment to reflect on the significant progress achieved by the Track Improvement Program. Just some rough statistics: 136 speed restrictions removed, 15K plus ties replaced, 86k feet of new running rail, 170k' of tamping and 48 minutes of travel time improvement for our ridership. On December 1, 2023, 30.3 miles and 22% of our track was restricted while today those numbers are down to 10.7 miles and 8%. None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our exceptional MBTA employees. Special recognition to my Deputy Directors, Laurel Senger and Salina Martin, PE, for their invaluable contributions to coordinating and planning the extensive work undertaken. Their efforts, along with the collaboration of internal/external departments, Surge Management Plans, and Piggybacking opportunities, have been instrumental. The oversight of contractors falls under the purview of our Project Office and Field Staff. Project Managers Maeve Ragusin, PE and Brian Campbell have efficiently managed multiple contracts concurrently. Leading the Field Staff are our team of diligent Resident Engineers Moataz Gomaa, Carlton Bandoo, Martin Kelly, and Evan Lonergan, supported by dedicated Construction Inspectors working tirelessly round the clock to ensure top-notch quality and adherence to the schedule. Our success also hinges on the steadfast support of various internal departments. MOW, under the leadership of Douglas Connett and John Ray, serves as our primary partners, with Track Superintendents and Track Engineers playing a crucial role in the program's success. Also under this umbrella is the MBTA power and signals department providing overarching support. The contributions of countless other teams are equally vital in executing successful surges, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every individual involved. I would name all of you but would have to write a book instead of a post. Credit must also be given to the various contractors that have performed admirably and upped their game. So thank you to the contracting community and our main contracting partners at Skanska, Railroad Construction Company, Inc., SPS New England, Inc., JF White and The Middlesex Corporation. We have a long way to go with some of our most ambitious surges on the horizon. There is no doubt n my mind that the dedicated MBTA employees involved will deliver once again for our ridership, as its the folks behind the curtain that ultimately make this program a success.

Erika Pratti joins SPS as a Talent Acquisition Specialist. She came to SPS after previously being a contracted recruiter assisting SPS with hiring through another company. Erika loves sports and being active. When she's not working, she's at the gym, playing soccer, softball, volleyball, or snowboarding. She also enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and her animals. Congratulations, Erika; welcome aboard! #SPSNE #SPSteam

In trenches 5ft deep or greater, a protection system involves 3 S’s: Sloping, shoring and shielding - Sloping involves cutting back the trench wall at an angle inclined away from the excavation. - Shoring requires installing aluminum hydraulic or other types of supports to prevent soil movement and cave-ins. - Shielding protects workers by using trench boxes or other types of supports to prevent soil cave-ins. #SPSNE #Trenching #Excavation #ConstructionSafety