Partners

Consortium Overview

The University of Pittsburgh is joined by four public, three private and one association organizations that comprise the IRISE consortium partnership. The four public members are Allegheny County, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission. The three private sector members are: CDR Maguire Corporation, Golden Triangle Construction, and Michael Baker International. The association member is the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania. The Federal Highway Administration also serves as an ex-officio member. Other organizations are welcome to join.

Each organization is represented on the IRISE Steering Committee. The Steering Committee representatives shown contribute towards defining each year’s research program and appoint representatives from their organizations to individual project panels to help define each project’s detailed scope, to keep the research relevant as it proceeds, and to build interest in implementing the innovations that result.

Multiple representatives from all of the member organizations provide invaluable contributions in many ways. They help identify relevant highway infrastructure durability and sustainability research issues and actively participate on the project panels. All of their efforts are very much appreciated.

Member Organizations

Allegheny County

The Allegheny County Department of Public Works is responsible for the letting and administration of all contracts involving the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair and improvement of County roads and bridges. It maintains and improves more than 408 miles of roads and park drives and 533 bridges and culverts. According to County Manager William McKain, "Allegheny County is excited to be part of the IRISE partnership. We look forward to applying the results of IRISE research to improving our ability to cost effectively manage our roadway infrastructure.

Pennsylvania Turnpike

Known as America’s First Superhighway, the Pennsylvania Turnpike officially opened to traffic on Oct. 1, 1940. It was the first roadway of its kind to use modern technology to design and construct a major highway in the United States allowing for nonstop travel. Today, 550 miles of toll road operate under the direction of a five-member PA Turnpike Commission (PTC) whose mission is to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. The roadway includes five tunnels, 12 major bridges, 75 fare collection facilities, 28 maintenance facilities and 17 service plazas. As parts of the roadway reach 80 years old, total reconstruction and widening has been part of the capital plan. To date more than 133 miles of roadway have been reconstructed using the best technology available. The PA Turnpike Commission plans to continue being a leader in transportation and innovation.

Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC)

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) serves as the official Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for a 10-county region, including the City of Pittsburgh. SPC is responsible for planning and coordinating regional transportation, economic development, and infrastructure investments that promote sustainable growth and improve quality of life. As a vital link between local governments, state agencies, and federal partners, SPC provides data-driven planning, technical expertise, and public engagement to advance regional priorities.

PennDOT

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) oversees programs and policies affecting highways, urban and rural public transportation, airports, railroads, ports, and waterways. More than three-quarters of PennDOT's annual budget is invested in Pennsylvania's approximately 120,000 miles of state and local highways and 32,000 state and local bridges. PennDOT is directly responsible for nearly 40,000 miles of highway and roughly 25,400 bridges, a system first established in 1911. Roughly 7,200 of PennDOT's complement of nearly 11,375 employees are engaged in the maintenance, restoration, and expansion of the state highway system. They work in central headquarters in Harrisburg and 11 engineering districts, with facilities in all 67 counties.

Golden Triangle Construction

Golden Triangle Construction is a diverse heavy/highway and utility general contractor capable of completing large, complex projects up to and exceeding $100 million while still maintaining the ability and attention to detail for smaller project needs as well. Golden Triangle provides general contracting services for state highway departments, local government agencies, airports, public utilities, and commercial clients. Founded in 1952, Golden Triangle Construction Company is one the most highly respected construction companies in Western Pennsylvania.

Michael Baker International

Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, has been partnering with communities since 1940 to solve their most complex infrastructure challenges with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity. Supported by more than 3,000 employees in 84 locations across the United States, Michael Baker provides a full continuum of engineering, architecture, and consulting services. These encompass the complete life-cycle of planning, environmental assessment, engineering design, construction management, and facilities maintenance, covering a broad range of markets including highways, bridges, airports, rail and mass transit systems, domestic and overseas government and commercial facilities, water and wastewater infrastructure, energy infrastructure and urban planning and development.

Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania

For over 85 years, the members of the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania have worked together as an industry to tackle the important issues facing the heavy, highway and utility construction industry in Western Pennsylvania. The aims of CAWP have remained constant over the years: to encourage and assist the organization of employees in the industry to maintain fair competition, improve conditions of labor and maintain proper and friendly relations among contractors, their employees and the general public.

CDR MAGUIRE CORPORATION

CDR Maguire delivers engineering consulting services, emergency management solutions, and disaster health and medical services. Founded in 1938, the firm has grown with offices across the nation. Serving clients in New England, Pennsylvania, and Florida, CDR Maguire Engineering is a full-service infrastructure consulting firm that operates at the intersection of innovation and alternative project delivery solutions. Partnering with clients to solve their most complex challenges, CDR Maguire Engineering provides a full continuum of services, including project and program management, transportation design, and construction engineering management and inspection.