AASHTO Journal - New Hampshire DOT, HNTB Host ‘Field Day’ for Interns

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation, in partnership with consulting firm HNTB Corp., hosted a unique “Intern Field Day” event in late July at the Memorial Bridge (above) in Portsmouth, NH – offering aspiring engineers an “inside look” look at one of the state’s most remarkable transportation landmarks.

[Above image via Wikipedia]

The Memorial Bridge, which connects Portsmouth, NH, to Kittery, ME, is a vertical-lift bridge that carries U.S. Route 1 over the Piscataqua River. Originally opened in 1923, the bridge was replaced and reopened in 2013 with a modern structure designed to preserve its original character while meeting updated transportation and safety standards.

During this field day event – which represents a “shared commitment” by HNTB and NHDOT to invest in workforce development and promote careers in civil and transportation engineering – interns from across the region gathered for what the NHDOT called “an immersive experience” that included standing on the bridge during a scheduled lift.

They also participated in a guided tour of the bridge led by engineers who were directly involved in its design and construction, gaining valuable insight into the complex engineering and project delivery processes behind this vital piece of infrastructure.

“Events like this are essential to inspiring the next generation of engineers,” said William Cass, NHDOT commissioner, in a statement. “By giving interns the opportunity to experience real-world infrastructure up close and engage with the professionals behind it, we’re not only investing in their future, we’re investing in the future of transportation in New Hampshire.”

“This bridge represents the best of what engineering can achieve, and we are proud to share that story with students who may one day design the transportation systems of the future,” added Matthew Hearn, HNTB associate vice president. “We hope this experience sparks a lifelong passion for transportation engineering.”

Across the country state departments of transportation are engaged in a variety of efforts to attract young people into the transportation industry at all levels.

For example, the California Department of Transportation operates a “Heavy Highway Construction Trades Academy” to help recruit and train workers for a variety of transportation trade jobs.

That Caltrans program also won a 2024 America’s Transportation Award for how it addresses the construction worker shortage in California – especially among underserved communities.

On a similar track, in March, the Division of Aviation within the North Carolina Department of Transportation awarded grants of up to $5,000 each to 12 airports to host aviation and aerospace-themed summer academies for kindergarten through 12th grade students.

The academies funded by these state-funded grants help inspire the next generation of pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, and aviation enthusiasts, the agency said – engaging students in hands-on activities, interactive lessons and behind-the-scenes experiences that bring the aviation industry to life.

And in July 2024, the New Mexico Department of Transportation received “formal support” from the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions for its Industry Credential Pipeline Program that seeks to connect job seekers to career opportunities within the transportation sector.

NMDOT said it created the pipeline program to prepare individuals for high-demand roles by integrating on-the-job learning and industry credentialing to build the transportation industry pipeline from an early stage in key areas such as planning, engineering, finance, budgeting, economics, commercial driver licensing, and Geographic Information Systems.