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The article discusses the design and construction of the Promontory Villa in Tapalpa, Mexico, by Atelier Ars. The villa is a six-bedroom weekend house situated in the mountains of central Mexico. The focal point of the villa is a 23-foot stone chimney that rises against a backdrop of distant hills. The design of the villa incorporates elements of Modernism, Classicism, and regional vernaculars, creating a hybrid house. The villa is surrounded by a cultivated wilderness of native plants, and the interior features patios and tactile details. The article emphasizes the connection between the villa and its natural surroundings, with the freestanding chimney bringing the landscape closer to home. [Extracted from the article]

Steve and Kim Chase, who had been living and working in Los Angeles for 25 years, decided to move back East to North Carolina for a quieter life. They built a 2,570-square-foot house on a wooded 60-acre site near Hillsborough. The house, called the Steeplechase House, consists of two steep-roofed gabled boxes that reflect the landscape with mirrored glass and invite the natural environment inside. The house is clad in black corrugated steel and features a triangular courtyard and a low-slung loggia with floor-to-ceiling glass. The design of the house allows it to blend into the landscape and provides a connection to nature. The Chases were involved in the construction process and paid attention to every detail to ensure the house was built to their high standards. The house is a result of a creative collaboration between the clients and the architect, with a minimum of artistic direction and an abundance of trust. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the extension of the Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul de Vence, France. The architect, Silvio d'Ascia, proposed hollowing out the ground below the building's terraces to create additional gallery space without modifying the original footprint. The extension includes four new public spaces, including a vitrine-lined passage, a monumental gallery, a linking gallery, and an intimate gallery. The design of the extension contrasts with the original building, using raw concrete, satin-polished Roman travertine floors, and geometrically pure galleries. The extension was completed in June 2024 and adds Italian finesse to the existing ensemble. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the renovation and adaptive reuse of the former U.S. Embassy in Norway, which was designed by architect Eero Saarinen. The U.S. government has been selling off its valuable city-center embassies and building new, more secure structures in outer locations. The Oslo embassy, opened in 1959, was one of two designed by Saarinen and has been converted into a mixed-use complex by a team of architects. The renovation involved excavating the plot to create a new basement, restoring the landmarked areas, and updating the office floors with modern accommodations. The project aimed to respect the building's volumes and restore its original appearance. [Extracted from the article]

The double-height atrium, which contained a large portion of the library's collection and later evolved into a study space, is topped by a waffle slab ceiling. BUILDING TYPE STUDY 1,058 COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES FOR MUCH of its first 100 years, the University of Western Ontario, in London, was a relatively small outpost of Canada's public university system. The building's almost entirely poured-in-place concrete structure has stairs and mechanical shafts housed within oblong towers at the exterior corners and post-tensioned floor slabs supported by precast single tees. [Extracted from the article]

But a new 54-unit social housing complex on Carrer de Lluís Borrassà, designed by local firm Peris+Toral, shows that apartment buildings can be far more dignified, even on a budget. BUILDING TYPE STUDY 1,057 MULTIFAMILY HOUSING MULTIFAMILY HOUSING BORRASSÀ|BARCELONA|PERIS+TORAL ARQUITECTES EL BESÒS I EL MARESME is not what most people envision when they think of Barcelona. GROUND-FLOOR PLAN SECOND-FLOOR PLAN 1 SIDEWALK ENTRY 2 ELEVATOR 3 CHANGING ROOM 4 FIELD ENTRY 5 GARAGE RAMP 6 APARTMENT 7 ATRIUM 8 GARAGE 9 TERRACE 10 ROOF TERRACE 11 ATRIUM INLET 12 ATRIUM OUTLET AIR ENTERS the atrium through an inlet (right), rises toward polycarbonate roof panels (above, right) and vents at the top (above). [Extracted from the article]

The foyer, its floor, walls, and ceiling all clad in oak paneling, introduces the visitor to the long horizontal lines that Kogan values in his projects. BUILDING TYPE STUDY 1,056 RECORD INTERIORS WHEN A YOUNG COUPLE approached São Paulo architect Marcio Kogan to renovate an apartment in one of the city's most exclusive residential buildings, a rare opportunity presented itself. The other hallway connects to the apartment's four bedrooms, the doors to which are hidden in the corridor's oak-paneled walls in order to maintain Kogan's long, clean lines. [Extracted from the article]

De Korbeel means "corbel", and, although there are no corbels in the building, the name constitutes an apt metaphor for the building's role as social support. BUILDING TYPE STUDY 1,054 HEALTH CARE ENSURING THAT children with behavioral and mental health challenges are cared for within a community is an admirable ambition, but not one that is easily achieved. At night, in the secure unit, individual room doors in the wing can be opened so that residents can use the restrooms - but when one door is opened, the others are automatically locked to prevent residents from gathering in the corridor. [Extracted from the article]

Sage green H-section columns (left and far left) structure the house. Also used for pocket doors and millwork, the oak pairs well with the sage green exposed H-section columns and swinging metal doors along the eastern wall. Is the product of a transatlantic partnership forged between New York - based Ignacio G. Galán and Madrid-based husband-and-wife duo Álvaro Martín Fidalgo and Arantza Ozaeta of OF Architects. [Extracted from the article]

Restored to its 1890s configuration and appearance, Winders and Van Dijk's gallery circuit now sports rich colors based on paint-scratch samples and teems with a multitude of original details that have been cleaned, repaired, or remade where necessary. Dialogue between new and old fabric has been categorically shut down, while the restoration of Winders and Van Dijk's galleries, though ingenious and meticulous, is a form of heritage make-believe whose ambiguities and ironies are neither explored nor even acknowledged. BUILDING TYPE STUDY 1,050 RENOVATION, RESTORATION, & ADAPTIVE REUSE ROYAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS I ANTWERP, BELGIUM I KAAN ARCHITECTEN FOUNDED BY Napoleon in 1810, the Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen (Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, or KMSKA) houses a world-class collection that includes 16 Rubenses, six Van Dycks, countless paintings by early Flemish masters, Belgium's most extensive James Ensor holdings, and much, much more. [Extracted from the article]

In the end, the HVAC basement was allowed, but the redesigns caused problems in the final days of construction, when it turned out that certain connections were missing and holes had to be drilled through the vaulted floor plates. The result of targeted demolitions in the 1940s, the site was complex: steeply sloping, it measured barely 10,000 square feet for an ambitious 40,000-square-foot program; it included historic housing that had to be incorporated into the project; and it faced a large 1950s covered reservoir whose structure was too fragile to support any extra load. BUILDING TYPE STUDY 1,048 ARTS & CULTURE LONG FAMED for its perfume, the ancient town of Grasse sits high up in the hills above Cannes, overlooking the French Riviera. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the Best of the Best 2023 projects recognized by ENR (Engineering News-Record), which represent the highest achievements in U.S. design and construction. The projects include the Microsoft Thermal Energy Center, which features a geothermal heating and cooling system, and the Geowell drilling project, which used drone flights for assessment. Other projects highlighted include the Kings Bay Dry Dock Recapitalization project, the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) project, the Orlando International Airport Terminal C, the Orange County Museum of Art, the 1021 O Street State Office Building, the UVA Inn at Darden - The Forum Hotel, the Mayo Clinic East Expansion, the John and Lile Gibbons Center for Arctic Studies and Barry Mills Hall at Bowdoin College, the Riverbend Meats Processing Plant, the Aston Martin Residences in Miami, the Primary Children's Hospital Hybrid Operating Room, the Martin Marietta Texas Quarry project, and the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. These projects showcase unique features, sustainability efforts, and overcoming challenges. [Extracted from the article]

The article lists the top 25 newsmakers, recognized for their contributions to decarbonization and overcoming structural challenges including Sean Beatty, Manager at Turner Construction, Joe Benvenuto, Chief Operating Officer at LIFTbuild, and Robert Buckley, President of Buckley & Co.

The article lists various bridge projects that are currently underway or planned for the future including Gordie Howe International Bridge, Gold Star Memorial Bridge, and Bow River Bridge.

The article highlights the ongoing construction project to upgrade and expand a section of Highway 1 known as Kicking Horse Canyon in British Columbia, Canada. It aims to transform the 70-year-old two-lane highway into a modern four-lane roadway, improving safety and accessibility. It further involves building bridges, viaducts, mechanically stabilized earthwalls, and conducting major excavations while navigating through challenging geological conditions.

The article discusses the history of Project Plowshare, a proposal by U.S. nuclear scientists in the 1950s to use nuclear explosives for large-scale earthmoving. One offshoot of Plowshare was Project Chariot, which aimed to use nuclear explosions to excavate a harbor in Alaska. However, concerns about radioactive fallout and environmental impact led to the cancellation of Chariot. The article also mentions other proposed projects, such as a nuclear excavation for a sea-level canal across Central America and a highway and railroad excavation in California. Geopolitical factors and economic concerns ultimately restricted the advancement of Plowshare. Despite several tests, the use of nuclear weapons as construction tools was ultimately unsuccessful. [Extracted from the article]

Brockton Hospital in Massachusetts has nearly completed a $90 million renovation project after a catastrophic fire forced its closure in February 2023. While some units remain closed indefinitely, the majority of the five-level building has been renovated, including the emergency department, outpatient surgical facility, main lobby, and labs. The project also involved replacing the electrical system, installing solar panels, and upgrading various areas of the hospital. The renovation project was complex and required collaboration and flexibility from the construction team. The hospital gradually reopened certain departments throughout 2023, facing challenges such as supply-chain issues and plumbing problems. The project team had to work closely with the insurance company for approval of design changes and faced delays due to the extensive review process. Despite the difficulties, the hospital is now nearing full service and has been able to take advantage of the opportunity to improve and upgrade its facilities. [Extracted from the article]

During the Great Depression in the 1930s, President Herbert Hoover's initiatives did little to alleviate the economic crisis, and some measures even worsened the situation. However, when Franklin D. Roosevelt became president, he implemented various programs to stimulate the economy and provide relief to the unemployed. These programs included the Civilian Conservation Corps, which employed young men in environmental projects, and the Public Works Administration, which funded infrastructure projects. Roosevelt also supported publicly owned power generation and established the Tennessee Valley Authority. These public works programs played a significant role in reducing unemployment and revitalizing the economy, although full recovery took several more years. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the personal and emotional significance of constructing the Perelman Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center site, as team members involved in the project have strong memories and connections to the events of 9/11. It mentions the theater's unique design and complex features, combined with its location near the memorial and transportation hub, make it a symbol of healing and revitalization for Lower Manhattan.

The article focuses on the advancements in smart water technology and its increasing adoption in the water industry. It highlights the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in water and wastewater utilities as well as in building projects. It also emphasizes the importance of smart water systems in addressing water-related problems, such as leaks and water damage.

The article evaluates the use of smart sewer technology and digital water solutions by the City of Buffalo, in partnership with Xylem and Burns & McDonnell, to transform their existing gravity sewer system and address combined sewer overflow (CSO) issues. It mentions that the adoption of technology has resulted in a significant reduction in CSO and a substantial cost savings for the city.

Seeking Zohn Los Angeles Through July 23, 2023 Architect and engineer Alejandro Zohn (1930-2000), a Jewish émigré whose family fled Nazi-occupied Austria for Mexico during World War II, is little known outside his adopted country, but built widely in Guadalajara from the 1950s through the 1990s. Yasmeen Lari: Architecture for the Future Vienna Through August 16, 2023 Austria's national architecture museum, the Architekturzentrum Wien, presents the first monographic exhibition on Yasmeen Lari, Pakistan's first woman architect. Upcoming Exhibitions Herzog & de Meuron London July 14-October 15, 2023 Founded in Basel over 40 years ago by Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, the now global firm is renowned for projects such as the Tate Modern, Beijing's Bird's Nest National Stadium, and 1111 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, Florida. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the ENR (Engineering News-Record) Best of the Best Projects of 2022. It highlights the top 20 construction projects in the U.S. that were completed between May 2021 and May 2022. It is reported that the projects were selected based on their teamwork, safety, overcoming challenges, innovation, and quality.

The article discusses the Storm & Sanitary Sewer Pipe study by market researcher Freedonia Group on growth in demand for storm sewer pipe in the U.S. Topics discussed include construction team encouraged by the American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA) to consider cost while comparing materials for maintenance and installation, occurrence of manufacturing in controlled setting of a factory, and Infrastructure Investment &Jobs Act signed by the U.S. President Joe Biden.

KITCHEN & BATH THINKING inside the box needn't be boring, as demonstrated by a home renovation and expansion in Los Angeles for a semiretired couple and their beloved cat. The architects designed custom storage (opposite) that holds everything from utensils to kitty litter. Suggested by the client, this pet station includes a hidden kitty-litter drawer - circular entrance included - and a food nook beside it. [Extracted from the article]

But, whereas the cottage appears plucked from the book plates of a version of "Hansel and Gretel", Jefferys's addition includes large apertures that immerse occupants in the landscape. KITCHEN & BATH AFTER purchasing a 1940s stone cottage near the base of Mohawk Mountain Ski Area in Connecticut, Sarah Jefferys, a New York-based architect, renovated it as a second home, which she and her family share with that of a lifelong friend who is a co-owner. Locally sourced wide-plank pine floors were installed throughout the house, and Jefferys used the highly figured wood for the kitchen cabinets as well as the stairwell of the new wing; she clad the bathroom in pine shiplap. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the influential engineer and editor, Arthur Mellen Wellington, who played a significant role in the development of civil engineering. Wellington established the policy of investigating accidents to engineering structures, providing valuable lessons for engineers. He also wrote a comprehensive book on railway engineering, which became a seminal work in the field. Wellington's contributions to engineering economy and his formula for determining the safe bearing capacity of piles were also highlighted. Despite some inaccuracies and advancements in the field, Wellington's formula continued to be widely used until recent years. Wellington's impact is recognized through the establishment of annual awards in his name by two engineering organizations. [Extracted from the article]

This article highlights the achievements of 25 individuals in the field of engineering and construction. Some notable figures include Scott Bartkowski, who engineered artificial reef modules for coastal protection in Florida, and Sean Beatty, who created a 3D model for the Seattle aquarium tanks. Other individuals mentioned include Joe Benvenuto, Robert Buckley, Charles Callaway, Fatih Cevik, and many more. These professionals have made significant contributions to their respective fields and have demonstrated innovation and expertise in their work. [Extracted from the article]

Several years after graduating, Portoghesi and his friend and mentor Bruno Zevi co-curated a prominent exhibition on Michelangelo that was as much a comment on the failings of mainstream Modernism as it was about the 16th century. Portoghesi, who had begun practicing architecture in the late 1950s and teaching at Sapienza in 1961, launched a joint practice with the architect-engineer Vittorio Gigliotti in 1964. Paolo Portoghesi, the Italian architect and theorist whose Strada Novissima at the 1980 Venice Biennale heralded the ascendance of Postmodernism in architecture, died May 30 at his home in Calcata, north of Rome. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the strategies and programs launched by structural companies in the U.S. to help meet the country's goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, particularly in reducing the embodied carbon in new building constructions to achieve zero-carbon structures. Also cited is the Structural Engineers 2050 Commitment Program launched by the Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers, with participants like PCS Structural Solutions.

Burns & McDonnell, a design-build firm, is working with BWX Technologies Inc. to develop small-scale reactors that can provide thermal and electric power for remote locations. The project, called the BWXT Advanced Nuclear Reactor, involves the engineering of microreactor balance of plant systems. The reactors will use TRISO nuclear fuel, which is more resilient and less likely to release radioactivity in an accident. Wyoming is becoming a center of advanced nuclear development, with projects such as the TerraPower Natrium reactor. [Extracted from the article]

Nabih Youssef, a prominent structural engineer and earthquake zone design expert, passed away at the age of 80. He was the founder and CEO of Nabih Youssef & Associates, and was highly respected for his work in earthquake engineering codes and standards. Youssef's innovative use of steel plate shear walls in the 52-story LA Live project and his incorporation of base isolation in the construction of Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral earned him recognition. He was also involved in various committees and programs related to seismic safety. Youssef's legacy includes notable projects such as Los Angeles City Hall, The Broad Museum, and the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. [Extracted from the article]

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and contractor KCI Construction have reached an agreement to repair 80 girders on a bridge that was damaged during a rehabilitation project on Interstate 55. KCI Construction will replace the girders and bearings on one of the 13 bridges being rehabilitated between Lindbergh and Interstate 44 in St. Louis. The bridge was damaged when a demolition subcontractor used a breaker hammer, causing significant damage to the girders. KCI Construction will be responsible for all costs associated with the repair work. The repair is estimated to cost at least $10 million, and MoDOT expects the bridge work to be completed in fall 2025. [Extracted from the article]

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has approved a $22.6 billion section of the high-speed rail network that will connect Palmdale and Burbank in Los Angeles County. This approval brings the total cleared distance of the planned line from San Francisco to Los Angeles to 463 miles, with only the Los Angeles to Anaheim portion awaiting environmental approval. The preferred route for the Palmdale-Burbank segment includes 27.9 miles of tunnels to minimize impacts on areas such as the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. The segment will be fully grade-separated, allowing trains to reach speeds of up to 220 mph. The operational travel time for this segment is estimated to be 17 minutes, compared to an hour-long drive. The construction of the Palmdale-Burbank segment is expected to take approximately seven years. The board also approved a contract for the design of track and overhead contact systems for a 171-mile section between Merced and Bakersfield. [Extracted from the article]

The Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation (CSVT) project in Pennsylvania, which has been in development since 1959, is making progress with the completion of its northern section in 2022. The project includes the construction of a 4,545-ft-long bridge over the Susquehanna River. Challenges faced during the project included environmental considerations, such as wetlands and cultural resources, as well as the need to work around unstable fly ash basins. The southern section of the project is expected to be completed in 2027. The CSVT project aims to alleviate traffic congestion and provide a crucial link between Maryland and New York. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the construction of the Pentagon, which was an unprecedented effort during a time when the U.S. was not at war. The construction was part of a military mobilization effort triggered by the fall of France and the Low Countries in 1940. Lt. Col. Brehon B. Somervell was tasked with leading the construction, and he assembled a design team to create a four-story building to hold 40,000 workers. The building was designed with five concentric, five-sided rings and was made of reinforced concrete to conserve steel for the war effort. Construction began in September 1941 and was completed in February 1943, slightly exceeding the original timeline. The Pentagon became the world's largest office building and played a significant role in the war effort. [Extracted from the article]

Wood Group, an energy-industrial services firm based in the UK, has agreed to negotiate an acquisition by Dubai-based engineer Sidara. The purchase price for the acquisition is set at $2.03 billion, up from an initial bid of $1.8 billion. Wood Group's board rejected three previous bids as undervalued but has now granted Sidara access to due diligence materials. Sidara, the parent company of various engineering and project management firms, has stated that this latest offer is its final one. The UK government has extended the deadline for a firm deal or the end of talks to July 3. Wood Group is ranked 13th on ENR's Top 150 Global Design Firms list, while Sidara is ranked 23rd. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses how societal expectations push students towards traditional four-year degrees over vocational paths like HVAC, using a TikTok video as an example to advocate for more engaging career guidance through compelling storytelling.

The InQuik Bridging System, a semi-modular bridge system invented in Australia, is gaining popularity in the U.S. This system involves a prefabricated formwork tray with reinforcing steel that is filled with concrete on-site to create a fully cast-in-place concrete bridge structure. It has been successfully implemented in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, where a 30-ft-long, 27-ft-wide bridge was completed in just one month. The system eliminates the need for longitudinal joints required with precast bridges and has been praised for its ease of use and ability to be transported efficiently. InQuik is currently working with individual states to meet their specific requirements and is also exploring opportunities to license the technology in other countries. [Extracted from the article]

In 1907, the Quebec Bridge, which was expected to be the longest cantilever bridge in the world, collapsed during construction, resulting in the deaths of 74 workers, including 33 Mohawk ironworkers. Charles Whiting Baker, the chief editor of Engineering News, and Frederick Schmitt, an engineering graduate, were given access to the site and interviewed survivors. Schmitt produced a 10,000-word article within four days, identifying the most probable cause of the collapse as a failure in the compression members. An investigation by the Canadian Royal Commission later confirmed this conclusion. The collapse was attributed to design errors, including an increase in the span length without recalculating the stresses on the bridge members, as well as a failure of oversight. Warning signs during construction were also ignored. [Extracted from the article]

The article highlights the importance of considering total energy usage in commercial water heating technology for engineers aiming at decarbonization goals. It discusses the rising interest in heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) among specifying engineers, the need for hybrid solutions to balance energy costs and grid strain, and the industry's shift towards providing resources and education to support energy-efficient practices.

Gerard J. "Gerry" Carty, a prominent engineer and contractor executive, passed away at the age of 91. Carty had a long and influential career in the heavy construction industry, including over two decades leading the Moles, a group of U.S. heavy construction professionals. He was known for his understanding of infrastructure challenges and the skills required for designing, building, and managing projects. Carty also played a significant role in expanding the Moles' annual Student Day infrastructure project tour and establishing a scholarship fund for engineering and construction students. His contributions to the industry and mentorship of younger professionals were widely recognized and appreciated. [Extracted from the article]

Jim Rossberg, a prominent figure in the field of structural engineering, passed away at the age of 65. He played a significant role in expanding the scope of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and was instrumental in the growth of the ASCE's Structural Engineering Institute (SEI), which now boasts 30,000 members. Rossberg also contributed to various disaster response teams, including those involved in assessing the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attacks and the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. He was recognized for his contributions with the William H. Wisely Award in 2022. [Extracted from the article]

George A. Greene, a mechanical engineer, passed away at the age of 94. He was known for his pioneering work in designing clean rooms for semiconductor and biotechnology facilities in Silicon Valley. Greene designed the high-bay clean room at Lockheed Aircraft's campus in Sunnyvale, which became the main assembly area for company satellites during the Cold War. He also designed clean rooms for Fairchild Semiconductor, Hewlett-Packard, and some of the earliest semiconductor sites in Europe. In the 1960s and 1970s, Greene expanded his work into the biotechnology sector. In the mid-1980s, he designed IBM's Almaden Research Center in San Jose. Greene founded his consulting firm, George A. Greene Co., in 1954, which was later acquired by PM Group in 2010. His son, Christopher Greene, became the president and CEO of PM Greene Engineers until 2013. George Greene was highly respected for his ability to find simple and elegant solutions to complex engineering problems. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on a disputed insurance claim related to the construction of Washington, D.C.'s Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, specifically addressing design-build joint venture issues with concrete voids and honeycombing in 2019. Topics include the potential insurance policy test, the breach-of-contract claim and the challenges faced by the joint venture in the construction process, including demolition and rebuilding efforts.

The article offers information on infrastructure agencies in New York and New Jersey increasing their construction programs and contracts with the support of federal funding to enhance transportation, energy, and environmental projects while focusing on resilience and sustainability. However, the surge in projects faces challenges such as rising costs and the need to maintain job progress and workforce availability.

The article focuses on ClearSeas Research survey offers a definitive look at the state of engineering compensation. Topics discussed include Google search for the "average mechanical engineering salary" provides quite a rabbit hole of responses; and according to Salary.com, the average annual pay for an HVAC engineer in the U.S. is $70,572. Zip Recruiter reports the average salary.

The article discusses the construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in the 19th century to address concerns about sewage contaminating the city's drinking water. The canal, which is 28 miles long, was built to reverse the flow of the Chicago River and divert sewage away from the lake. The project faced challenges, including disputes over the classification of materials and labor strikes. The canal was completed in 1900 and later led to the construction of treatment plants for the growing Chicago metro area. The operation of the canal was transferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1930. [Extracted from the article]

Walter P Moore and Associates, along with Rice University, are proposing the Galveston Bay Park Plan, a $6 billion project to construct a 22-mile chain of islands as a storm surge barrier in Texas' Galveston Bay. The barrier would protect the Houston Ship Channel and the west side of Galveston Bay from the destruction caused by Category 5 hurricanes. In addition to storm protection, the barrier would also improve the bay area habitat and water quality, provide public accessibility for recreation, and allow for the passage of recreational craft and drainage. The project is part of a larger plan for Galveston Bay, which includes the Coastal Spine barrier project being carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Galveston Bay Park Plan offers more development flexibility and considers more intense storms than the Corps' plan. The project is currently being evaluated for inclusion in the Texas Coastal Surge Protection Plan or local funding, with the goal of groundbreaking in 2030 or sooner. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the Johnstown Dam failure in 1889, which was the deadliest dam failure in U.S. history. The South Fork Dam in Pennsylvania, completed in 1853, experienced inadequate repairs and had fish screens installed that obstructed the spillway, leading to water overtopping and eroding the structure. The resulting flood caused extensive damage and a death toll of 2,208. The article also highlights the lack of official state government oversight of dam safety and advocates for robust public supervision of dam safety. [Extracted from the article]