VHB Honored With 2018 Silver Engineering Excellence For Ink Block Project

BOSTON–VHB has been named one of the winners of the 2018 Silver Engineering Excellence Awards by The American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts (ACEC/MA). This nomination honors the work on the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Underground at Ink Block Infraspace project. The 2018 Engineering Excellence Awards were announced at the ACEC/MA Engineering Excellence and Awards Gala with emcees Beth J. Larkin, PE, MBTA Assistant General Manager for Capital Delivery, and Housamm (“Sam”) H. Sleiman, PE, CCM, MassPort Director of Capital Programs & Environmental Affairs.

Michael J. Scipione, ACEC/MA President, PE President and CEO of Weston & Sampson Engineering, acknowledged VHB’s efforts leading to this achievement. “The awards honor this year’s most outstanding engineering accomplishments in Massachusetts… they are excellent examples of how engineers create projects that improve our lives and communities,” extolled Scipione. “Professional engineers are dedicated to providing quality infrastructure, providing safe and reliable water and energy, and making our buildings safe and energy efficient…we congratulate our winners on their exceptional achievements,” continued Scipione.

VHB was retained by the MassDOT Office of Real Estate and Asset Development to help transform an underutilized, blighted site into a vital community asset. The Underground at Ink Block, located under the elevated portion of I-93, is now a vibrant space that combines revenue-generating parking lots, a boardwalk, stormwater treatment, 24-hour security and lighting, and an urban park to accommodate art exhibits, markets, and community activities. The site features specialty uplighting, a unique landscape with water retention areas, and a multi-use path connecting South Boston with the South End.

Michael J. Scipione