INDUSTRY INSIGHT:
Infrastructure Sector: Airports Are Rapidly Evolving To Meet New Demands
There’s significant pressure on large and small airports to evolve to meet the demands of travelers, commercial shippers, and the communities they serve. Some of the many challenges facing airports are highlighted below. These challenges will impact ongoing operations, infrastructure needs, environmental considerations, and future development.
Energy Efficiency
Airports have high energy demands for lighting, heating and cooling, baggage handling, security systems, retail and food preparation, signage, and technology systems. To reduce their carbon footprint, many airports are investing in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal, including installing solar panels on rooftops and parking structures. They are implementing energy-efficient technologies, including upgrading to LED lighting and daylight harvesting technologies, optimizing HVAC systems, and using energy-efficient baggage handling systems. Airports are also increasingly adopting sophisticated energy management systems to monitor and optimize energy use in real time.
Sustainability
Airports around the nation are embracing sustainable practices in their daily operations. From waste reduction and composting to water conservation and solar power, they are making their operations more sustainable. They are also reducing embodied carbon in their building infrastructure by using recycled and sustainably sourced materials for new and renovated spaces.
Integration of Technology & Digital Transformation
Digital transformation is impacting every business and industry, and airports are no exception. Airports have been integrating technology into their operations for years, but the advancement of technologies such as AI, IoT and big data analytics are now being used to improve operational efficiency and enhance passenger experiences. Relying on technology also means investing in cybersecurity to protect against cyberattacks and data theft.
Facilitation of Cargo and Accommodating Commercial Shippers
Balancing the needs of passenger airlines and cargo operations can be challenging for commercial service airports, especially regarding space and scheduling. With the rise of e-commerce, airports are tasked with handling additional domestic and international cargo and needing to accommodate increased freight volumes while ensuring efficiency and security. Some regional airports, especially those located near major transportation routes, are getting more cargo routed through their facilities as shippers avoid major hub airports and instead rely on them.
Resiliency during Severe Weather
Airports are preparing for more frequent and severe weather events, which can disrupt operations. In addition to investing in infrastructure that can withstand extreme conditions, they are continuously developing and updating robust emergency response plans to minimize disruptions in their operations.
Fluctuating Passenger Volumes
Capacity management is an ongoing challenge for both large and small airports, particularly when dealing with a high percentage of leisure travel. Managing fluctuating passenger volumes requires flexibility and strategic data analysis of
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New York City Hospitality Projects Earn Industry Honors NEWS
Two projects in CHA’s PMCM hospitality portfolio recently earned industry honors in New York City. Boutique Design New York awarded the Romer Hotel Hell’s Kitchen three Gold Key Awards, and the Kimpton Hotel Theta won the 2024 Hospitality Design Award. Both properties have recently been featured in Hospitality Design Magazine.
travel trends, including economic conditions, peak travel seasons, fuel prices, holidays, consumer preferences, business travel cycles, and global events. Balancing the need for expansion with the risk of overcapacity during low travel periods is a constant challenge.
Parking and Ground Transportation Links
As passenger volumes fluctuate, airports must also manage parking availability effectively. Parking issues greatly impact passenger satisfaction and their perception of convenience. Passengers are concerned with the availability of parking, the location of parking in relation to the terminal, and congestion at entry and exit points. Airports are
CHA Projects Recognized with ACEC Awards
CHA’s outstanding project work has been recognized in multiple states with 2025 ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards. Read more about all our award-winning projects.
New York State | Platinum Award: Lark Street Rehabilitation. Read more here.
Florida | Honor Award: SWRF Influent Pump Staton Expansion and Upgrade. Read more here.
Massachusetts | Bronze Awards: Champeaux Road Bridge Replacement & Buckland/ Charlemont Bridge Replacement. Read more here.
Connecticut | Merit Award: Champeaux Road Bridge Replacement. Read more here.
Indiana | Merit Award: Spades Park Pogues Run Greenway Glow Stone Trail & State Finalist Award: Bee Slough River Floodgates.
Read more here.
employing technological solutions to enhance their parking management. Automated payment, entry and exit systems can reduce congestion during busy times. Some airports have parking reservation systems that allow travelers to reserve specific parking spots in advance. In addition to adequate parking, airports must provide seamless connections to other modes of transportation. While some airports boast intermodal transportation hubs and public transit connections, others use innovative technology, such as mobile apps, to inform passengers of available ground transportation and real-time schedules.
Health and Safety
The public has a heightened interest in health and safety measures employed by public facilities, including airports. Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted airports to rethink their approach to policies, transparency, communication, and accommodations around health and safety. Passenger confidence in health
and safety has been one of the main drivers in restoring travel to pre-pandemic levels, making preparedness a critical issue in ongoing airport operations and communications to the public.
There is currently a great deal of investment in airports across the country, but addressing these challenges will take time and a multifaceted approach involving many stakeholders. Airports will continue to invest in technology, drive efforts to improve sustainability and energy efficiency, and embrace changes that improve their operations and facilities to provide a better experience for shippers, travelers, and the communities that depend on them. The broad multi-discipled expertise at CHA allows our Aviation Team to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise in aviation infrastructure and airport systems support to our aviation clients with innovative solutions to their many challenges.
For more information, contact Mike DeVoy, Aviation Business Line Leader at mdevoy@chasolutions.com.
CHA Fights Hunger NEWS
CHA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Council has joined the fight against food insecurity. The Council has encouraged each of our offices to designate a Food Fighter – someone to lead local volunteer efforts for their office related to this important community issue. To date, these CHA offices have participated in or are planning activities to fight food insecurity in their community: Syracuse, NY; Charlotte, NC; Lansdale, PA; Brooklyn, NY; Boston, MA; Albany, NY; and St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
FROM THE CEO’S DESK…
The demand for power continues to grow rapidly, and that has significant ramifications for our power grid, operators, and all power users. As a nation, we’re facing a perfect storm of challenges, including aging infrastructure, an accelerating energy transition to more sustainable forms of energy, an increase in severe weather events, and the rise of energy-intensive technologies, including electric vehicles and massive data centers. How we navigate the need for more power and the energy transition will significantly impact globally how we live and work for years to come. The energy transition underway in North America has been focused on the shift from fossil fuels to more renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the share of renewables in the U.S. energy mix is expected to rise, with projections indicating that renewables could account for nearly 30% of electricity generation by 2030. In Canada, the number could be close to 90%, including a substantial contribution from hydropower which is already a major source of energy in Canada.
CHAngemakers: NEWS
ARTICLE/BLOG
Enhancing NERC Compliance One Standard at a Time
Read more here.
ARTICLE/BLOG
Both Urban and Rural Communities Can Benefit from Brownfield Redevelopment
Read more here.
In concert with this energy transition is the increased electrification of sectors of our economy. Industries such as transportation, manufacturing, and data centers to power AI, as well as individual households are transitioning to electric solutions, upgrading their infrastructure, and adopting smarter technologies that reduce energy consumption. While this transition is an important step toward supporting decarbonization, the strain on the power grid is concerning to utility providers trying to keep up with demand and invest adequately in improvements to the grid. Utilities are facing significant investments to develop the infrastructure required for renewable energy generation and distribution. They must also invest in energy storage solutions and smart grid technologies to manage supply fluctuations effectively. Expanding grid capacity and integrating energy storage solutions to handle the variability of renewable sources is critical to their operations. While these investments are costly in the short term, this unprecedented energy transition presents an opportunity to reshape the energy landscape toward a more sustainable and resilient future. The challenge lies in balancing the power demand with the desire for cleaner energy solutions.
Addressing these challenges will require innovative solutions and collaboration between power producers, their consultants and end-users to ensure a reliable and
ARTICLE/BLOG
Maffa Way and Mystic Avenue Superstructure Replacement Design Build Project - Phase 1
Read more here.
ARTICLE/BLOG
Advancing Sustainable HVAC Practices: A New Chapter for the Life Sciences Sector
Read more here.
sustainable energy future. Engineers will play a pivotal role in the energy future. CHA’s engineers are working with utilities to develop and implement advanced technologies that facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, into existing systems, and we’re designing smart grids that enhance efficiency and reliability.
CHA’s power team is assessing and upgrading infrastructure to accommodate new energy demands and sources, including retrofitting existing facilities and designing new ones that are more sustainable and resilient to climate impacts. CHA engineers are also supporting our clients, including manufacturers and municipalities, as they optimize energy use through innovative solutions such as energy management systems and process improvements, which reduce consumption and costs.
We are guiding our clients to a higher level of understanding and compliance with evolving regulations related to
emissions and sustainability, ensuring that operations align with local and national standards. We’re also designing infrastructure and facilities to a standard of Net Zero, where the end product produces as much energy as it uses. This involves the exploration of new materials and technologies that support the energy transition, such as energy storage systems, reducing embodied carbon in building materials, and carbon capture technologies.
Our energy challenges are not easy to solve, but by partnering and leveraging CHA’s expertise, our engineers and designers are able to help clients meet the rapidly evolving energy demands and position themselves for the future. Finding a better way to deliver exceptional value to our clients motivates us to develop innovative solutions every day for every client.
Jim Stephenson, President & CEO
INTREPID for ArcGIS Pro is Here NEWS
After months of intense product development, we’ve launched INTREPID for ArcGIS Pro for transmission pipeline operators to manage their complex linear referenced networks. Developed as a configuration on Esri’s 64-bit ArcGIS Pro platform, INTREPID is fast, user friendly and provides standard workflows for users to
manage pipeline routes, edit data, track TVC documentation and bulk load a variety of data sets.
INTREPID for ArcGIS Pro includes:
• Refreshed user interface
• Fast, fast, fast performance
• Fully integrated with ArcGIS Pro
• Simple pipeline linear referencing workflows
FEATURED PROJECTS
Campus & Institutional
Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association
Tabernacle
Massachusetts
Built in 1878 of cast iron, the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association Tabernacle stands today as an example of impressive 19th-century architecture and as one of the few wrought iron structures of its type still standing. The open-air Tabernacle is well known to residents and visitors alike as a cherished hub for religious, cultural and community events. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978; it was recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2000, and it was named a National Historic Landmark by the Department of Interior in 2005.
With sincere appreciation for its historic significance and unique place in the community, CHA provided OPM services for roof replacement, restoration, and repairs to the facility. Given its meaningful place in history, careful consideration was given to each detail of its restoration. The project involved replacing the Tabernacle’s aging roofing system, which is believed to date back to 1932. The roof is approximately 17,000 square feet with three tier levels. The project was completed in spring 2024, in time for summer events.
Power & Manufacturing
JMA Wireless Tech Campus
New York
The City of Syracuse, NY, is experiencing a rejuvenation with investment in the local economy and revitalization of its downtown. A big part of this revitalization began with the JMA Wireless Tech Campus at 140 Cortland Avenue, a former brownfield site that has been redeveloped into a state-of-the-art 5G manufacturing facility with modern offices and showrooms.
The site, a former industrial laundry, required a comprehensive remedial investigation, alternative remedial analysis, and a comprehensive remedial design work plan through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Brownfield Cleanup Program. Historical industrial use of the property resulted in soil, groundwater and soil vapor contamination, primarily chlorinated solvents.
NEWS
Following site cleanup, the project focused on the design, permitting and construction of a modern 80,000 SF headquarters and manufacturing facility, including the associated infrastructure for water, sewer, gas, electric, telecommunications, and fire. Infrastructure improvements included new traffic signal design, sanitary sewer lining, and reconstruction of the city’s existing 8” and 24” water mains.
The JMA project has served as a catalyst for further investment in the city. Syracuse was recently awarded $40 million in federal funding under the CHIPS and Science Act and $8 million from the State of New York to continue bolstering the region’s semiconductor industry.
CHA Acquires Civil Engineering Consulting Services, Inc. (CECS) in South Carolina
CHA has acquired Civil Engineering Consulting Services, Inc. (CECS), a transportation and environmental engineering firm based in Columbia, South Carolina, with 85 employees.
Read more here.
Infrastructure
Pineda Causeway Water Transmission Mains
Florida
The Pineda Causeway Water Transmission Mains project in Melbourne, Florida, is a shining example of collaboration, unique engineering solutions, and environmental stewardship. CHA delivered a third water main crossing at the northern extremity of the City of Melbourne’s water distribution system near the Pineda Causeway to improve water quality and provide operational flexibility and reliability. The City of Cocoa partnered with the City of Melbourne for an additional water main crossing within the same corridor to tie into their water distribution system.
The increasing age of Melbourne’s existing pipeline crossings across the intracoastal waterway (Indian River Lagoon) to the system’s barrier island “beach-side” raised concerns regarding water transmission redundancy and reliability. The City of Cocoa had similar concerns regarding redundancy and reliability at the southernmost portion of
its distribution system, near Pineda Causeway.
Working together provided both communities with significant cost savings due to shared geotechnical investigations, land and river surveys, ecological data gathering, construction management services, impact assessment in support of extensive permitting with multiple agencies, engineering design, procurement services, and construction planning/preparation.
The project included 39,800 feet of 16-inch water main with nine long, subaqueous directional drills that crossed beneath the Indian River and Banana River. These water mains now provide improved reliability of potable water flows, pressures and quality to residences, businesses and a Space Force Base along a 40-mile stretch of Brevard County’s barrier island.
Investment & Lender Services Now Available NEWS
With a diverse team capable of providing a full range of services to manage risk and inform our clients, CHA now offers investment and lender services. We work with lenders to minimize construction exposure with due diligence, construction monitoring and post-construction documentation.
Read more here.
A Team Approach to Digital Transformation TECHNOLOGY
Navigating the complexities of today’s digital landscape is challenging. Technology innovation is impacting every corner of every business. To remain competitive, organizations must embrace digital transformation and harness technology in ways that increase efficiency and provide greater value to their clients. Instead of being anxious about digital transformation, there are ways to make your organization eager to embrace it.
Introducing the Digital Innovators Group (DIG)
CHA has introduced a way to bring many voices into the digital transformation process by forming the Digital Innovators Group (DIG), a new initiative led by our Digital Solutions Team. This group aims to bring together individuals from across the company who are passionate about digital enablement and transformation. By fostering collaboration and innovation, DIG will serve as a platform for sharing learning, exploring new technologies, and identifying opportunities for improvement and growth. DIG participation is open to anyone at CHA with an interest in being part of our digital transformation and is intended to enhance our internal capabilities, and maintain CHA’s position as a leader in our industry. According to CHA’s Chief Digital Officer Jeff Netland, “We are creating a culture and mindset that encourages input and harnesses the collective expertise of our team to drive innovation and address our clients’ needs more effectively.”
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CHA Appoints Doug Nelson Chief Financial Officer NEWS
Doug Nelson has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Doug will drive the firm’s financial performance and serve as a key contributor to CHA’s strategic planning and growth initiatives, including M&A, while overseeing corporate accounting, financial reporting, planning and analysis, treasury, and tax functions, as well as operational sector finance teams.
Read more here.
Empowering Our Team
Through DIG, CHA will empower our team members by providing them with the resources and support they need to excel in the digital landscape. We are gathering people from across the entire organization and getting feedback from those who work directly with our clients to ensure we prioritize solutions that will have the biggest impact for our clients. Over 100 people across the company have expressed an interest in being part of DIG. “There’s already tremendous excitement and curiosity across a variety of businesses, roles and geographies. People are excited to enhance their day-to-day work and be part of how we deliver solutions to our clients,” said Arjun Singh, Design Technology Manager. The first meeting of DIG was held in early December with work group assignments and pilot projects expected to take off in early 2025.
Client Benefits
Our clients stand to benefit significantly from the formation of DIG. We can offer enhanced services and more efficient processes by leveraging the latest digital technologies and innovative solutions. Our goal is to improve our clients’ experiences and deliver tailored solutions that meet each
client’s unique needs. Additionally, our commitment to continuous improvement ensures that we stay ahead of industry trends, providing our clients with cutting-edge solutions that drive their success. “Ideas coming from our client-facing team on the front line will accelerate efforts to build on our current digital client work and offerings and propel us into new areas using new technologies,” said Neal O’Driscoll, Business Line Director, Digital Solutions.
We are Finding a Better Way
Together, we are building a dynamic culture of continuous improvement to drive meaningful change for our clients and our company. “At CHA, we continue to embrace new technology that enhances efficiency for both our organization and our clients. It’s inspiring to see employees from all areas of our business adopting this mindset, driving innovation, and contributing to our collective success,” stated Michael Furgang, Vice President of Information Technology. We’re excited to travel this digital transformation journey with the participants of DIG, and we’re excited to see the results manifested in our successful delivery of better processes and tailored solutions for our clients.
CHA PFAS Project Featured in USA Today NEWS
The Stanton Water Treatment Plant in Wilmington, Delaware, is leading the charge against “forever chemicals,” taking proactive steps to address PFAS contamination ahead of sweeping EPA regulations set for 2029. Watch the full story and see the facility in action at USA Today: Stanton Water Treatment tackles ‘forever chemicals’ ahead of national regulations. Read more here.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Planning a Trip?
Make a Plan to be Safe.
Whether you’re traveling near or far, by car, plane or other mode of transportation, there are important actions you can take to safeguard your person and possessions during your journey.
Safety Travel Recommendations:
1. Stay Vigilant: Always be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. Be sure to secure valuables and keep a close eye on your bags.
2. Check the Weather: Be mindful of the weather, particularly in unfamiliar regions during stormy seasons (i.e., hurricane season, tornado alley, mountain snowstorms).
3. Secure Your Documents: Keep your travel documents (passport, license, tickets) together in a safe, accessible place and make copies (digital/printed) that you store separately. Consider an RFID-blocking wallet to protect credit/debit cards.
4. Keep Devices Charged: Keep your phone fully charged and carry charging cables and a fully charged power bank. Consider using a “find my phone” or similar GPS tracker.
5. Stay Connected: Share your travel information with a trusted source – communicate your itinerary and how you can be reached in case of emergency.
6. Prepare Your Vehicle: Inspect your vehicle prior to travel (tires, brakes, fluids, battery, lights, and wipers). If traveling by car, keep a full tank of gas.
7. Carry Essential Supplies: Be prepared with an empty water bottle (metal or plastic – no glass) and carry snacks for long waits or travel delays. Pack an emergency kit (reflective triangles, flashlight, basic tools, jumper pack/cables) and a first aid kit if traveling by car.
8. Research International Travel Destinations: Check for travel advisories and document local emergency numbers (i.e., police, fire, ambulance).
For more information, contact Anthony Tremblay, Director of Corporate Health and Safety at atremblay@chasolutions.com.
Cuban American Association of Civil Engineers (CAACE) Honors CHA NEWS
The 2024 Cuban American Association of Civil Engineers (CAACE) Annual Gala was one for the books. CHA had a lot to celebrate in Miami, earning a Project of the Year Award, a Professional Commitment Award for Arnelio Alfonso, PE, and an Intern Scholarship. Read more here.
