This time, we caught up with Katie Scancarello, a senior geotechnical engineer from our Water business in the U.S. East region, to learn how she chose the path she’s on today.

Hi Katie. What do you do for ArchTam?

I am a senior geotechnical engineer in Providence, Rhode Island and have been with ArchTam for 14 years.

Tell us about your journey and how you got here.

I initially went to college for computer engineering but transitioned to civil engineering because it gave me the opportunity to work in the field. During my junior year, I did a co-op at NASA Glenn Research Center where I conducted research on lunar soil simulants and performed experiments in reduced gravity – this experience led to my passion for geotechnical engineering.

After getting my bachelor’s degree, I then pursued my master’s in geotechnical engineering while working part-time at URS in Cleveland, Ohio. I transitioned to full time after graduating and worked there for three years. I was integral in major projects for Tennessee Valley Authority and the Ohio Department of Transportation.

During my second year there, I was placed on a major design build project in Cleveland where I learned how to communicate with non-geotechnical disciplines. It was trial by fire under a tight schedule which gave me the opportunity to expand my technical baseline. I was given significant responsibility which enabled my quick growth in design team management.

In a lateral move, I relocated to Rhode Island to discover a new part of the country. I still reported to the Cleveland URS office, which was acquired by ArchTam during this time. I helped establish an ArchTam geotechnical presence in the Northeast.

I was then promoted to geotechnical engineer. I served as deputy geotechnical lead on the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s largest design build at the time–the Route 6 and Route 10 Interchange Reconstruction project. I supported the geotechnical lead in managing the geotechnical investigation and design for the project.

Currently, I’m a senior geotechnical engineer where I manage the evaluation of underground conditions to provide design recommendations for building and bridge foundations, dams, tunnels, slopes, underground utilities, and retaining walls. Most recently, I was a project geotechnical engineer on the Narragansett Bay Commission Phase IIIA CSO Tunnel (Pawtucket Tunnel) design.

What was a career defining moment for you?

When I was still a junior engineer, my supervisor, who was the geotechnical lead on our large design build project, went on paternity leave. I was put as the point person for the project. When the prime contractor had geotechnical questions, they called me. It was both intimidating and a confidence boost to know that important team members trusted me to make decisions.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Someone once told me that I speak softer when I’m uncertain of the answer I’m giving and that I should speak up to imbue confidence. That advice was hard to hear, but significantly helped me to build confidence in myself.

What advice do you have for women who want to get into tunneling or another traditionally male-dominated industry?

Be yourself and get in there. I heard a lot of negative stories about how men treat women in the construction industry before I joined but I have not experienced the micro and macro aggressions that I was warned against. Don’t listen to the negative messages. Our industry is receptive and supportive of women. Men can be great sponsors/mentors and there are women-focused groups for every field which provide a ton of resources and support.

If not this path, then what would have been your Career plan B?

I would have been an equestrian trainer for hunter/jumpers on a farm in Oregon.

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Giuseppe is based in Canada and has almost 20 years’ tunneling experience gained on transportation, water and power projects internationally. His expertise covers all project phases, from conceptual development and preliminary/detailed design, through to implementation under both traditional and alternative delivery procurement models. In 2018, Giuseppe was named ‘Tunneler of the Year’ by the International Tunneling Association in a global competition for professionals under 35. Earlier this year, he was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 10 Under 40 engineers in Canadian Consulting Engineer magazine.

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

There’s a strong history of infrastructure design, operation and management in my family. My dad was the chief financial officer for a 1,000-kilometer, high speed rail program in Italy, my uncle served as the Italian minister of transport, and my great grandfather was the president of the first Italian Railway where he led the procurement of the first rail tunnel in Italy. Hence, as a child, I was very aware of the role infrastructure plays in elevating and connecting communities. I would spend hours at the beach trying to replicate tunnels and bridges out of sand. It’s through play that I initially explored the concept of stabilization, which ignited my passion for underground structures.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

Since our tunnel practice spans primarily across our Water and Transportation businesses, I’ve picked a favorite for each of these two business lines.

The Panama Metro tunnel is my favorite transportation project so far as it’s a great example of infrastructure creating opportunities for people to thrive.

When the Panama Canal was completed in the early 1900s, it became a crucial facilitator of global trade — the whole world benefited from the faster and cheaper shipment of goods between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Despite this major progress in trade, there was a stakeholder group that lost out — the communities separated by the canal, namely those living in Arraiján District to the east of the canal and those living in Panama City on the west.

The vehicular bridge constructed to reconnect the two sides is heavily congested during peak commuting times, resulting in Arraiján residents spending hours in traffic traveling to their workplaces in Panama City. The new tunnel system will be built with all available technologies, including sequential excavation method (SEM), cut and cover and tunnel boring machine (TBM). It will be a 13-meter diameter tunnel excavated more than 70 meters under the Panama Canal, connecting Panama City and Arraiján with a monorail metro line, significantly reducing commute times and improving the quality of life for Arraiján residents by giving them back time in their days to dedicate to their families.

The project is currently in the design phase, with our team providing detailed design services for the underground sections.

My favorite water project in recent years has been the Pawtucket Tunnel Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) in Rhode Island in the U.S. for which we provided the detailed design to a consortium of specialized contractors introducing several exciting innovations.

The 3.5 kilometer-long, 8 meter-wide tunnel is designed to store excess water during a storm event before it can be pumped out and treated. Comprising deep shafts excavated in challenging ground conditions, and multiple mined connections between the shafts and the main CSO tunnel, it’s a technically complex project.

Without this storage tunnel, storm-related sewage overflows would be discharged into waterways untreated. There is immense social value gained from this project — the cleaner waters will result in a cleaner ocean and the return of shell fishing. It will also create green spaces for the local communities and tourists to enjoy.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

I’ve been involved in the Ontario Line metro project in Toronto for several years, initially providing conceptual design before progressing onto tender design for the contractor. We’re currently working with the contractor who was awarded the South Civil contract providing detailed design for two fully mined stations and all tunnels, including the pre-cast segmental lining.

The Ontario Line, originally known as the Relief Line, is designed to reduce congestion on the existing two subway lines in Toronto. At concept design stage, we engaged the local communities to understand their daily routines and how they may be impacted during construction and operation of the metro line. To mitigate traffic disruption during the construction phase, we’ve reduced the excavation footprint and the impacts on traffic and utilities diversions by stipulating fully-mined stations.

The project aims to connect underserviced neighborhoods to the central business district and provide affordable, faster and reliable transportation for the people. It will also create huge economic and social value in a city that is witnessing its population growing at a much faster pace than its infrastructure.

Share a piece of career advice.

Grasp opportunities when they arise and be open minded. Opportunities may not come in the form you hope for or at the perfect time, but be flexible and embrace them as a way to learn and develop. Push the boundaries of your knowledge and jump outside of your comfort zone. Your team will have your back, so have faith in your skills!

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John joined Maunsell, which was acquired by ArchTam twenty-years ago, in the U.K. in 1970 and worked on the design of a range of structures. In 1975, he moved to Hong Kong to prepare tender designs for underground packages for the Mass Transit Railway (MTR), which were all selected. John stayed in the city and grew ArchTam’s geotechnical business providing services for underground structures, reclamation, tunnels and slope stability.

With his extensive experience in the industry, John was recognized by the Institution of Civil Engineers in 2021 for the distinguished achievement of being a member of the association for 50 years. Currently, he is in Saudi Arabia as part of the team designing transport and utilities backbone infrastructure for NEOM – The Line, a project that aims to set a new model for smart cities emphasizing on technology and sustainability.

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry. I worked on my PhD at Cambridge University in the U.K. and at the time, critical state soil mechanics and the now well-used Cam-Clay Model were being developed under the inspiring leadership of Ken Roscoe, Peter Wroth and Andrew Schofield. I became very interested in how the ground moves, how it interacts with structures and how to achieve cost-effective and safe designs for underground structures.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why? I have been fortunate to work on many major projects throughout my career. My favorite is probably the site preparation for Chek Lap Kok International Airport at Hong Kong, where a 260-hectare island was flattened and 960 hectacres of adjacent reclamation was formed in 28 months. I was extremely proud of the teamwork that my colleagues exhibited on the project which was instrumental to its success.

Another pivotal project of my career was the tender designs for three underground railway stations and two tunnels in Hong Kong in 1975, which were all the lowest and below the engineer’s estimate. It sealed the start of the MTR, a major public transport network that serves 3.5 million passengers daily today.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community. I have been involved with the construction of more than 100 underground railway stations in busy cities across Asia. Millions of people now travel safely below ground and have convenient access to jobs, schools and other essential services, while the streets above are less congested.

In the 1970s, landslides in Hong Kong, with steep slopes and heavy rainfall, took the lives of more than 200 people. Subsequent stability studies and slope remedial work have dramatically reduced the incidents of slope failure, saving many lives and damage to property.

Share a piece of career advice. There are many aspects of engineering, from planning to design to construction. Regardless of your role, it is important to understand what other people do on a project and how your role fits with theirs. Engineers provide a service, and teamwork, with one another, with clients and with contractors, are all very important to delivering quality work.

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