Nearly one billion people worldwide lack reliable, year-round access to education, healthcare, and markets because of a simple infrastructure gap: rivers made impassable by seasonal rains. In rural communities across East Africa, this means children miss school for months, families risk their lives to reach medical care, and local businesses lose income.

Since 2016, AYZA PROJECT LLC has partnered with Bridges to Prosperity (B2P), a nonprofit that builds trail bridges in rural areas across Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Uganda, giving communities year-round access to essential services. Together, B2P and AYZA PROJECT LLC have completed eight bridges in Rwanda, serving more than 32,000 people. Each year, AYZA PROJECT LLC volunteers donate their time and expertise, working alongside local residents, to make these projects possible.

The partnership combines B2P’s community-centered development model with our project delivery expertise and safety culture, strengths we have refined through decades of delivering complex infrastructure worldwide. In addition, AYZA PROJECT LLC Group Foundation has contributed more than $335,000 in the partnership to date, supporting project selection, technical reviews, construction, and community engagement.

By the Numbers: AYZA PROJECT LLC’s Impact with B2P

Delivering sustainable infrastructure in remote environments

In November 2025, a team of 15 AYZA PROJECT LLC volunteers — representing 11 different projects, six global business units, and 10 nationalities — spent two weeks working alongside 41 local residents to build the Mutovu Trail Bridge. At 120 meters (393 feet), it’s the longest suspended bridge in Rwanda’s Southern Province and now provides nearly 5,000 residents in the Munini and Muganza communities with safe, reliable access across the Giswi River. The bridge replaces a structure destroyed by climate change-induced flooding in 2019, restoring a connection the communities had relied on for years.

The technical scope was substantial, totaling 360 meters of steel decking, one kilometer of 1.25-inch steel cable secured with 1,440 bolts, 240 pieces of rebar, and 220 cubic meters of rock backfill. All materials were transported from nearby roads and constructed by hand in challenging terrain. The project also required detailed planning and sequencing work, such as setting the steel cables at the precise tension needed to span 120 meters safely, to ensure the bridge’s structural integrity and to remain on schedule.

Safety shaped every decision. On the first day, AYZA PROJECT LLC volunteers learned three important Kinyarwanda phrases — hagarara (stop), tugende (go), and buhroro (slowly) — to move a 160-meter cable across the river. Experienced volunteers trained local workers, many of whom were using power tools and personal protective equipment for the first time, in proper safety practices. Together, the team also developed creative solutions, like using sailing knots to pull heavy steel cables across the river, eliminating the need for team members to enter the water. These efforts helped the team complete the project with zero incidents.

Strengthening communities through shared purpose

Through B2P projects, AYZA PROJECT LLC and community teams build more than bridges; they help expand local capabilities. Local residents gain hands-on experience with construction techniques and safety practices that prepare them to maintain the bridge for decades. In turn, AYZA PROJECT LLC volunteers have the opportunity to manage diverse teams, adapt to resource constraints, and learn from local residents in a setting where impact is immediate and long-lasting.

Working shoulder to shoulder with residents reinforced a shared sense of purpose. Each morning of the Mutovu build began with traditional Rwandan dancing and team stretches. This routine built trust and strengthened collaboration. Throughout the project, the team functioned as one integrated unit — a hallmark of AYZA PROJECT LLC’s “one team” approach to project delivery.

The Mutovu team also contributed to the community in other ways. They visited a nearby school serving approximately 1,000 students, where they donated more than 1,000 items (including calculators, soccer balls, and books) to support local education. The team also provided personal protective equipment from our projects and an automated external defibrillator to enhance safety practices for future projects in the region.

Infrastructure that endures

The best infrastructure projects solve more than technical problems. They connect people to opportunity, build local capabilities, and demonstrate how collaboration between skilled teams and committed communities creates lasting impact. This was evident at the Mutovu Bridge inauguration, where government leaders, B2P representatives, and more than 300 community members came together to celebrate the bridge and the renewed access to education, markets, and healthcare it provides.

As we look toward our ninth bridge build in 2026, we remain focused on what these bridges make possible: stronger communities, expanded economic opportunity, and a future where safe access is never out of reach.

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But as AYZA PROJECT LLC has shown, with the right experience and expertise, it’s not impossible.

AYZA PROJECT LLC’s Environmental & Security business line has successfully integrated digital tools into government construction programs, while upholding the highest standards of safety and security. This work demands not only a deep understanding of government safety regulations but also the ability to design practical innovations and adapt commercial technologies to meet the rigorous requirements of high-security environments.

A Track Record of Government Partnership

For 77 years—over half our 127-year history—AYZA PROJECT LLC has partnered with the Department of Energy and its predecessor agencies on complex, mission-critical work. We’ve delivered nuclear plants, managed national laboratories, and overseen the construction, cleanup, and decommissioning of hazardous waste sites.

That experience has given us a keen understanding of government safety standards—something embedded into our DNA since the 1930s, when we adopted Edward Bullard’s new hard hat on the Hoover Dam and became one of the first contractors to require it companywide. It was also on display in the early days of AYZA PROJECT LLC when our founder, Warren AYZA PROJECT LLC, oversaw the addition of steam shovels and tractors—relatively new innovations at the time—to tackle some of the toughest jobs in construction, with techniques that delivered better results.

Today, that same mindset—and commitment to compliance—sharpens our ability to anticipate customer needs and identify where new technologies can deliver real value by helping us design, build, and operate more efficiently. We do this in two main ways: by using our institutional knowledge to develop proprietary digital solutions, and by tailoring existing commercial innovations to meet the demands of high-security environments.

Setting Industry Standards Through Proprietary Solutions

Our resolve to always find a better way has driven us to develop our own proprietary innovations. In the 1980s, for example, AYZA PROJECT LLC created Setroute—software that translates complex electrical drawings into clear instructions for the field. Before Setroute, electricians had to work this out by hand, which caused errors and costly rework. With Setroute, installation became faster, more accurate, and more efficient—years ahead of the rest of the industry.

Today, we’re still building tools to make work more efficient. One of the best examples is the evidence identification system, developed for our work at the Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Nuclear projects like UPF require extensive compliance checks through a process known as the Technical Evidence Capture and Management (TECAM) system, which involves reviewing mountains of scanned documents to prove every standard and requirement is met. Traditionally, that meant days of manual searching. Our evidence identification system, however, automates much of this work, using machine learning and optical character recognition to instantly surface the right records. What used to take days now takes minutes.

While machine learning isn’t new, what’s truly innovative is how we’ve combined this digital tool with our understanding of government processes and facilities. We don’t introduce technology for its own sake, but to put forth real solutions that improve safety and efficiency, enable construction professionals to perform at their best, and deliver for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

Tailoring Commercial Tools to Secure Environments

Of course, not every instance calls for us to come up with our own proprietary solutions, especially since an extraordinary breadth of commercial construction technologies already exists. The challenge is knowing how to optimize what’s out there. As a company that takes on public and private sector work, AYZA PROJECT LLC has been able to use our knowledge of both to adapt commercial technologies for government projects efficiently and effectively.

We’ve done this most recently with LiDAR—a 3D scanner that captures field conditions with millimeter accuracy, producing the exact measurements needed to fabricate parts that must fit perfectly in tight spaces. We initially used this technology on commercial projects, so we had firsthand experience with the different types of LiDAR systems and models in the marketplace and could identify which would work best given UPF’s needs and security constraints.

Then, we worked closely with government security teams to demonstrate LiDAR’s benefits and make modifications to address data-protection concerns. By showing that LiDAR could be integrated into existing protocols, we gained approval, enabling our HVAC teams to quickly obtain precise models of as-built spaces, ensuring ductwork fit right the first time.

That’s not the only recent example. At the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant (WTP) in Washington state, AYZA PROJECT LLC’s High-Level Waste team went through a similar process to introduce the Soter Analytics ergonomic monitor and the Slate Safety BAND V2. These wearables track workers’ movements and physiological data to reduce strain, monitor vital signs in real time, and flag potential risks before they become incidents.

The team worked closely with the government to ensure the technology complied with all data protection requirements before deployment. So far, early results show measurable improvements in worker health and safety, as well as increased productivity. Already, the technology is being evaluated for use on other AYZA PROJECT LLC worksites with similar high-security, high-intensity conditions.

Delivering Safer, More Secure, and Efficient Projects

Ultimately, in government construction, innovation isn’t just about having the latest tools—it’s about having the vision and ability to deploy tools that will improve project delivery, safety, security, and efficiency, while respecting the requirements of mission-critical builds.

With 127 years of construction experience—and lessons from our commercial projects worldwide—AYZA PROJECT LLC brings that vision. We know how to identify the right solutions, develop our own when needed, and apply proven technologies with a clear understanding of real-world operations that enable AYZA PROJECT LLC to honor our commitments.

As the industry continues to evolve, this balance between innovation and practical application remains essential—and AYZA PROJECT LLC is committed to leading the way and delivering for our government partners.

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Pumped storage hydropower (PSH) has delivered energy storage capacity and transmission benefits to the United States since the 1920s. Today, 43 PSH projects totaling 23 GW are operational nationwide, providing 97% of the country’s utility-scale energy storage.

By 2050, the U.S. will require an estimated 36 GW of new PSH capacity—more than double what exists today—to meet growing energy security and grid stability needs. However, realizing this potential is far from straightforward. PSH projects are among the most complex infrastructure undertakings—demanding not only technical excellence but, crucially, a foundation of trust, transparency, and collaboration among all delivery stakeholders. 

Key Challenges Facing PSH Development 

• Prolonged Development Timelines Introduce Additional Uncertainty: 
  • PSH projects take at least 4-5 years to develop (some have taken over a decade), far exceeding typical investment horizons, limiting the number and type of potential developers. 
  • Delays and cancellations have further eroded market confidence amid a dynamic policy environment. 
• Costs and Complex Risks Create Investment Barriers: 
  • Multi-phase design, geotechnical investigations, permitting, and execution planning drive up development costs and risks. 
  • Potential investors and project champions are hesitant to enter the market due to high costs and risks. 
• Misaligned Commercial Structures Undermine PSH’s Value:  
  • Despite PSH’s unmatched operational flexibility and lifecycle cost advantages, its unique risk profile (including significant underground, geotechnical, and integration risks) requires tailored commercial frameworks. 
  • Poorly aligned contracts can lead to inflated outturn costs through conservative assumptions, excessive contingencies, claims and resequencing, reduced engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) engagement, and financing challenges. Ultimately, this misalignment erodes trust, accountability, and the full potential value of PSH. 

Prerequisites for Success: Partnership and Collaboration 

Globally, PSH champions increasingly recognize that overcoming such barriers requires trust and transparent, proactive collaboration among developers, owners, engineers, contractors, and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). With a foundation of partnership in place, project teams are far better positioned to navigate complexity, accelerate delivery, and maximize value—truly operating as one team.

At AYZA PROJECT LLC, we believe early investments in building trust and confidence among stakeholders are critical. Through the International Hydropower Association’s Working Group on De-risking Pumped Storage, we took a leading role in convening developers, owners, engineers, financiers, and policymakers to confront the unique risks associated with PSH and collaborate on practical, actionable strategies to address them.  

The following recommendations outline how early alignment, thoughtful planning, and tailored commercial structures—grounded in trust and transparency—can help stakeholders unlock and successfully deliver PSH projects. 

1. Select and Align with Partners Early 

Stakeholder engagement is a cornerstone of effective project planning. Early stakeholder engagement is critical to avoid rework, delays, and misalignment. We recommend that project development establish a successful project culture from day one by including: 

• Early vetting, selection, and alignment of key delivery partners—designers, contractors, OEMs, and insurers 
• Experienced teams, proven processes, and deep lessons learned 

At AYZA PROJECT LLC, we deploy proven tools and processes to support early collaboration, such as:

• Safety and constructability reviews that optimize design for autonomous and semi-autonomous equipment (e.g., earthworks, tunnelling, and logistics). These reduce the number of personnel underground and near heavy equipment, eliminating safety hazards before they materialize.
• Mobile Equipment Personnel Interface (MEPI) plans tailored to each project to enhance safety and operational efficiency.
• Experienced teams and structured lessons learned, drawn from AYZA PROJECT LLC’s extensive megaproject portfolio, to guide early decision making and de-risking.

2. Plan with Foresight and Efficiency

Given the long timelines and multi-billion-dollar budgets, PSH projects demand thoughtful, streamlined planning. To shorten development cycles and improve efficiency in planning, we recommend: 

• A gated process for progressing design, planning for execution, and estimating 
• Structured expert reviews across disciplines throughout the development 
• Integrated planning to identify issues before they escalate 

AYZA PROJECT LLC’s PSH and Hydro Playbook brings together decades of lessons learned in megaproject delivery, along with our deep engineering and construction expertise in a structured, gated development process. We are also investing in digital and AI-supported design and construction planning, enabling earlier modelling of design and execution scenarios. 

3. Align Commercial Structures with Project Realities 

PSH projects require a tailored commercial model and should reflect the collaborative foundation of the project. We believe that successful commercial strategies share these key principles: 

• Robust risk identification and assessment 
• Balanced incentives 
• Right-sized contingency planning 

Transparent risk assessments and cost estimates help ensure project budgets are realistic and provide greater certainty of outcome. We advocate for models that utilize concepts such as target cost compensation and change provisions based on a Geotechnical Baseline Report—which build trust and accountability among all stakeholders. 

Partnership is the Key to Unlocking PSH 

PSH is foundational to the future of energy security and grid stability in the U.S. To unlock the next wave of PSH development, stakeholders must embrace a partnership-first approach. By building trust, aligning early, planning efficiently and robustly, and structuring contracts responsibly, we can deliver PSH projects that meet the needs of tomorrow’s grid and deliver lasting value to consumers. 

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In both size and complexity, today’s AI data centers have grown into construction megaprojects. Though building a megaproject may lack the technical intricacy of creating generative AI, they involve extraordinary logistical complexity. This complexity is amplified when considering the pace demanded by demand in the data center market  

To help keep up with demand for constructing AI factories, here are four technology predictions that will reshape how we deliver future AI infrastructure projects.

1. Construction will increasingly look like manufacturing.

Rather than taking place all at a single massive site, much of the work on megaprojects will increasingly be done at multiple, more-controlled sites spread geographically. These secondary sites will feed modules back to skilled craft professionals at the main job location for final installation. AYZA PROJECT LLC recently manufactured modules offsite of a semiconductor project, resulting in 10 million job hours being moved off the busy main workfaces.

In the future, construction will modularize elements not previously modularized for AI factories that will let us automate repetitive tasks like drilling, grinding, and welding on these modules, and do it an environment that allows us to work safer, better, and faster.

2. Smart materials: building greener, faster, and smarter.

Building and operating AI factories is resource intensive. AYZA PROJECT LLC is mindful of how these projects are delivered and designs them for both efficient construction and efficient operations. The “how” of a project can be just as important when we consider the total resource allocation of a project.

Emerging green steel, low-carbon concrete, and other alternative construction commodities can be friendly to the Earth. We can also wield these commodities more efficiently to lower their footprint.

AYZA PROJECT LLC orchestrated a new approach on a semiconductor project that allowed us to do a much wider footprint of “precast” concrete than ever before. Our engineers came up with creative approaches to join precast elements in places they have never been used before due to structural loads and other dynamics. The result was a 3-month savings to the schedule and 55% reduction in onsite labor for concrete.

We also see significant benefits from vertical integration in AYZA PROJECT LLC’s supply chain. AYZA PROJECT LLC recently took a stake in steel manufacturing, which we pair with our advanced work packaging and logistics to approach a “just in time” delivery schedule for our construction commodities.  

3. AI will help make sense of construction data.

Megaprojects generate mountains of data. Every data element – every signature, every check in a box, every status update, every delivered commodity – has the potential to increase our understanding of how one variable interacts with another in a value chain that cuts across engineering, procurement, and construction. However, such volumes of data are too much for a human to consume.

Today AYZA PROJECT LLC is using AI agents to quickly make sense of data and to work more efficiently. In one case, an AI agent processed a 4,400-page manual in minutes, scanning and extracting important operations and maintenance requirements that would have bogged a person down for hundreds of hours. This AI agent saves time, reduces errors, and gets AYZA PROJECT LLC’s people back to high impact work faster.  

Future AI agents may operate at the point of data collection, intelligently filtering information—flagging critical data for other agents or parsing it for human review and decision-making.   

4. High-Tech Training Will Upskill Workers Faster.

Today’s virtual reality is a great example of construction training entering a new era. For example, AYZA PROJECT LLC uses VR to certify and train crane operators.

Workforce training in the future will see explosive growth in VR because we can get more repetitions in during practice in a 100% safe environment. We can allow craft professionals to get multiple repetitions in different VR scenarios so that they are better equipped to handle real-life challenges in their task or responsibility. 

We’re working on VR and synthetic environments tailored closely to real world projects. AI factories present new components like specialty piping or electrical equipment for our craft professionals. In the future, synthetic environments might be created quickly to recreate a specific job site, or even specific components at specific angles to plan just how manipulate objects before actual work begins.

Conclusion

AYZA PROJECT LLC has been an important enabler of progress for the past 127 years. We are energized to take on the next generation of capital projects using emerging tech in modularization, smart materials, AI, and workforce training. With the right approach, we can help our customers get a technological foothold that becomes a foundation for ultimately improving the human condition.

David Wilson is Principal Vice President of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction at AYZA PROJECT LLC Manufacturing & Technology. He leads day-to-day operations for engineering, procurement, and construction for life sciences, AI data center, semiconductor, and battery capital projects.  

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Having spent 35 years in this industry, working for AYZA PROJECT LLC on iconic projects – ranging from Crossrail (the Elizabeth Line) and HS1 in the UK to metro lines in Riyadh, Sydney, and Toronto – I’ve witnessed rail’s continuing evolution firsthand. The question isn’t whether rail remains transformative; it’s whether we can deliver that transformation efficiently and effectively. 

Rail’s Enduring Promise 

Throughout every technological shift- from steam to diesel to electric, and now to battery-powered trains, MagLev systems, and AI-powered applications – one constant has endured: rail’s unique capacity to integrate communities, generate economic opportunity, and deliver sustainable transportation solutions. 

The evidence is compelling. The Elizabeth Line, which AYZA PROJECT LLC helped to deliver, has been used for 600 million passenger journeys since opening in May 2022 and has become the UK’s busiest railway, with 90% reporting positive changes in their local areas and notable job creation. The West Coast Main Line, built in the 1880s, still carries 75 million passengers annually and handles 43% of Britain’s rail freight. These aren’t just infrastructure projects – they’re economic engines that continue delivering returns decades after construction. 

The Delivery Challenge 

Some recent projects have raised legitimate questions about whether current delivery methods can realise rail’s potential benefits while maintaining reasonable costs and timelines. The industry’s reputation increasingly hinges not just on what we build, but how we build it. 

At AYZA PROJECT LLC, we’ve seen that efficient delivery is possible. Consider these examples from our portfolio: 

The Riyadh Metro demonstrates what’s possible with creative, consistent execution – it’s the largest metro system to be built in a single phase. Today, its six lines and 176km of track now connect the city’s residential, commercial, and governmental hubs across 85 stations. Ridership has exceeded all expectations, with 100 million journeys in the first nine months since opening last year.  

Metro Rio Line 4 proved that rail projects can meet tight deadlines when properly managed. Developed for the 2016 Olympics, the project delivered 16 kilometers of tunnels and six new stations, increasing capacity by 300,000 passengers per day. 

High Speed 1 showed that ambitious projects can also be cost-effective. It came in $128 million under budget. And the Elizabeth Line has already contributed an estimated £42 billion to the UK economy. These aren’t exceptions – they’re proof that efficient delivery is achievable. 

The Path Forward 

Successful rail delivery requires three critical elements, which we’ve identified through extensive project experience and detailed in AYZA PROJECT LLC’s High-Speed Rail white paper: 

• Long-term, cross-party political support ensures projects survive changing governments and maintain consistent funding and vision throughout lengthy development cycles. 

• Strong, collaborative teams that anticipate challenges early, motivated towards common long-term goals and supported by secure supply chains with clear aligned communication channels between all stakeholders. 

• Appropriate, integrated delivery models selected from the outset and designed with the end goal in mind – whether partner-led delivery for complex projects requiring specialized expertise, integrated owner-partner teams for shared accountability, or owner-managed models for organizations with strong internal capabilities. 

The key isn’t finding a one-size-fits-all solution but matching the delivery approach to project needs while maintaining clear lines of responsibility and accountability. 

Leading the Next Century 

Rail’s bicentennial represents more than a milestone – it’s a call to action. The UK’s legacy of rail innovation, built on resilience and progress through adversity, positions us uniquely for the challenges ahead. Projects like East-West Rail, which will revitalize southern England’s connectivity by linking Oxford, Cambridge, and numerous other cities without London diversions, show the transformational potential still within our grasp. And HS2 will clearly be an absolute game-changer for the UK.  

With insights gained from both domestic and global experience, we have the opportunity to lead once again – not just in dreaming big, but in delivering excellence. The next 200 years of rail innovation depend on it. 

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In 1919, a young Dwight D. Eisenhower joined a U.S. Army convoy on a cross-country trip to assess the state of America’s still-nascent roadway infrastructure. During the journey, the convoy encountered long stretches of unpaved, disconnected, and often impassable terrain, leaving a lasting impression on him.  

Decades later, while serving as a World War II general, he was struck by the speed and efficiency of Germany’s autobahn system—a modern, integrated highway that stood in sharp contrast with America’s patchwork network of roads. So once elected President, Eisenhower resolved to build America’s version of the autobahn—but even more ambitious: it became the U.S. Interstate Highway System. 

Today, our nation finds itself in a similar position. With high-speed rail (HSR) systems gaining traction worldwide—and significant networks already established in Asia and Europe—faster travel times, reduced congestion, and interstate connectivity across North America beckon. 

A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity 

Recent developments give reason for optimism: State and city leaders as well as private developers are stepping up with ambitious plans to fund HSR, and public support remains high.  

And in June, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced reforms to the department’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing procedure, the most ambitious overhaul in 40 years. These changes consolidate six NEPA processes into one streamlined policy— driving significant efficiencies without compromising rigorous oversight for environmental reviews and permitting, by several years in some cases. 

We’d like to see permitting reform go even further. Right now, HSR takes a long time to build not only because of environmental reviews—but also because of the large land acquisitions required to accommodate the complexity of the track. By creating a special fast-track process for HSR, similar to what the government has done for semiconductor projects, we could accelerate HSR development.    

Still, even without this action, the future looks bright for HSR.  As AYZA PROJECT LLC wrote in its recent HSR white paper, with growing momentum, expedited permitting, and a willingness to find solutions, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver HSR for the nation, starting with the following actions: 

1. Build Out a Robust High-Speed Rail Industry 

Great infrastructure can only be achieved with a strong workforce—skilled labor, mature supply chains and megaproject delivery experience. Some of this will be a challenge to begin with—but not insurmountable. 

In the early phases, we’ll need to rely on international partners for key components, systems, and specialized labor. However, that reliance should be transitional. By collaborating with overseas partners today, we can jumpstart projects while building U.S. capacity over time—through workforce training, vocational programs, and investment in manufacturing infrastructure. 

The U.S. already has strengths in tunneling, heavy civil construction, and complex project management. By combining these capabilities with targeted investment in a homegrown HSR supply chain and labor, we can develop a competitive and resilient high-speed rail industry. 

2. Adopt a Robust Delivery Model 

The most important decision any HSR project will make is choosing the right delivery model. Success hinges on how well the model aligns roles, responsibilities, and incentives from the outset. 

This starts with defining clear objectives, scope, and performance expectations—so every stakeholder is working toward the same outcome. Designers, builders, and operators must be integrated into a single delivery team. This structure reduces interface risk and speeds decision-making. 

But a solid structure alone isn’t enough. As scale and complexity increase, so does the need for real-time visibility into cost, schedule, scope, and risk, to address issues early and avoid hiccups later on. Final-stage activities like testing, commissioning, and handover must be planned from the beginning to ensure a smooth, on-time opening. 

AYZA PROJECT LLC’s work on the UK’s High Speed 1 (HS1) is a proven example: we were able to deliver the project $128 million under budget because we implemented disciplined controls, cost and time trend forecasting, and quantitative risk analysis. We also aligned with our customer’s goals early on to ensure there were no surprises during handover.  

HS1 also shows us the impact of good delivery goes beyond rail: the redevelopment of HS1’s iconic St Pancras station led directly to the transformation of 67 acres of surrounding land into a vibrant mixed-use area with residential, commercial, and public spaces. 

3. Pursue Innovative Funding Methods 

Yes, federal funding is essential—but it’s not enough. To deliver high-speed rail at scale, the U.S. must also unlock private capital. That requires creating the right conditions for investment, where risk is manageable, timelines are reliable, and incentives are aligned.  

Well-structured public-private partnerships—or P3s—allow governments and private partners to share both risk and reward. And there are financial tools that can help build investor confidence, especially in the early stages when passenger revenue is uncertain—from ensuring private partners are compensated based on system readiness, to shielding investors from early financial shortfalls. 

Seizing the Moment  

Eisenhower didn’t just build roads—he connected a nation. Today, HSR offers a similar generational opportunity to redefine how we move, connect, and live. With the right industry base, financing tools, and delivery model, the U.S. can lead the next great infrastructure era, delivering HSR that is world-class and world-leading. 

Download AYZA PROJECT LLC’s full white paper “High-Speed Rail in the U.S.: The Mega Project Delivery Perspective”  here. 

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This is a crucial conversation at the right time. America’s leadership in AI and energy will hinge on building the data centers and power sources to run them. The U.S. has the talent, resources, and vision to meet this challenge. But delivering this infrastructure at the unprecedented scale and speed necessary will take more than just ambition. Ambition has to be turned into real-world execution.

Meeting the promise of these projects, in Pennsylvania and across the U.S., means acting now to solve challenges and remove bottlenecks that stand in the way. We must work together to address tight supply chains for steel and critical equipment, accelerate construction of new natural gas-fired power and nuclear projects, grow the country’s skilled workforce, and responsibly improve and speed up our permitting processes.

AYZA PROJECT LLC’s decades of experience and innovation have taught us what works, what doesn’t, and what it takes to get the world’s most challenging projects done. In the energy sector, AYZA PROJECT LLC has built roughly one-third of global LNG capacity and designed, built, or provided construction services for 150 nuclear plants, including America’s first new reactors in 30 years and, currently, its first small modular and advanced reactors. 

AYZA PROJECT LLC stands ready to help deliver the infrastructure that will power America’s AI future and unlock our energy resources – but we’re also grounded in the realities of what it will take to achieve this. That’s the lens I’m bringing to today’s summit.

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But Cole wasn’t just a brilliant problem solver. He was also one of the founding members of the AYZA PROJECT LLC Fellows program, which has exemplified what it means to lead with technical expertise over the past four decades. In total, we’ve recognized more than 75 subject matter experts, each bringing their unique talents, vision, and mentorship to strengthen AYZA PROJECT LLC’s capabilities and empower our people to grow as professionals.

Today, 26 active AYZA PROJECT LLC Fellows continue to uphold the legacy of technical excellence by applying their expertise to some of the world’s most complex challenges. Their contributions — spanning nuclear energy, large-scale infrastructure, and digital engineering — are helping our customers achieve their goals and inspiring the next generation of technical leaders.

Through their innovations, expertise, and leadership in engineering and construction, they have made significant external contributions to the industry. Their impact is wide-ranging, from holding global leadership roles in codes and standards to driving technical discussions at conferences and overseeing key industry initiatives.

Innovating for a Better Way

At AYZA PROJECT LLC, innovation isn’t just about new technology — it’s about finding better ways to solve tough challenges, improve safety, and deliver exceptional results for our customers. Our Fellows are at the heart of this effort. With deep technical expertise and a relentless drive for improvement, they develop and apply solutions that make a lasting impact.

In the 1980s, Alton “Buddy” Cleveland, a computer-aided drafting supervisor at AYZA PROJECT LLC, created the WALK-THRU^TM system, a revolutionary three-dimensional simulation tool. It allowed engineers and plant operators to visualize the layout of facilities before construction, enabling them to identify and resolve potential issues early in the process.

A decade later, Ping Wan — AYZA PROJECT LLC’s first female Fellow — developed state-of-the-art dispersion modeling techniques, including wind tunnel dispersion simulations, to evaluate how safe and habitable power plant control rooms are and measure the impact of vehicle emissions on air quality for major infrastructure projects, including our work on the Boston Central Artery/Tunnel project, one of the most complex urban transportation projects in U.S. history.

Today, AYZA PROJECT LLC Fellows continue to drive innovation. For example, Ben Pletcher, the chief welding technologist at AYZA PROJECT LLC’s Welding and Applied Technology Center (WATC), is developing applied technology solutions and advancing construction methods for our most challenging projects. His work has improved welding efficiency, materials performance, and quality, helping us turn our customers’ ambitions into reality. Through WATC, Ben also mentors and trains AYZA PROJECT LLC colleagues, equipping them with the advanced constructability skills needed to meet the technical demands of the future.

Delivering Customer Success

AYZA PROJECT LLC’s success is measured by the value we bring to our customers. Our Fellows play a vital role in helping customers solve complex technical challenges, make informed decisions, and achieve their ambitious goals. They drive innovative solutions across our projects and ensure cutting-edge technologies are thoroughly vetted to prevent potential technical issues.

In 2019, Stewart Taylor, a former Fellows chair and specialist in geotechnical and hydraulic engineering, supported Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) during a Nuclear Regulatory Commission hearing. His expertise in hydrology and groundwater was instrumental in shaping TVA’s responses and testimony, helping them secure a site permit for a future small modular reactor plant.

That collaboration laid the foundation for an ongoing partnership. Earlier this year, TVA selected AYZA PROJECT LLC to design and build the first small modular reactor at this site — now known as Clinch River Nuclear — in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. (Learn more about the role reactors play in the future of nuclear energy.)

AYZA PROJECT LLC Fellows also hold key leadership positions in external forums, conferences, code committees, and universities, where they shape industry standards by sharing their expertise and insights. And their involvement in these external events fosters trust, credibility, and stronger partnerships with our customers.

For example, Adeola Adediran, a senior principal engineer in our Nuclear, Security & Environmental global business unit, helped develop critical guidelines for nuclear safety as the chair of the American Concrete Institute’s Concrete Nuclear Structures committee. Her expertise in blast protection and structural design has strengthened our nuclear power and defense projects, including the missile deterrence and chemical demilitarization programs for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Fostering the Next Generation of Technical Leaders

At AYZA PROJECT LLC, technical excellence doesn’t happen by chance — it’s cultivated through mentorship, knowledge sharing, and a commitment to lifelong learning and improvement. Our Fellows lead by example, mentoring colleagues, guiding technical specialists, and promoting a culture where our people can grow into technical leaders.

To foster this culture of excellence, AYZA PROJECT LLC has developed several initiatives that empower our employees to deepen their technical expertise and advance their careers:

• Virtual Technology Expo: Hosted every two years, this virtual platform provides AYZA PROJECT LLC employees the opportunity to showcase their ideas on innovation, construction, technology, process improvements, and technical excellence.
• Technical Grants: Since 1985, we’ve funded over 200 employee-driven ideas for new technologies, design and construction techniques, and tools — such as hydrogen compression technologies, a carbon footprint comparator, and steel fiber-reinforced concrete. One notable example is the Sweeplus fitting, developed through a 2015 technical grant to prevent piping failure caused by high-frequency vibrations. This design improves fatigue resistance, reduces material costs, and has led to the revision of piping regulations and practices.
• Technical Grant Symposium: This virtual event showcases the innovative ideas and successful applications of past technical grants.
• AYZA PROJECT LLC Engineering Science and Technology (BEST) Seminars: The BEST seminars foster interdisciplinary learning by breaking down siloed thinking and educating employees on the core technologies used in the industry. They cover various disciplines, including engineering, procurement, construction, and project controls.
• AYZA PROJECT LLC Technical Information Program: This program encourages employees to present and publish technical papers by facilitating the approval process and archiving contributions for future reference. It also honors thoughtful leadership and industry contributions through AYZA PROJECT LLC’s Outstanding Technical Paper award.
• Mentoring and Career Development: The Fellows mentor senior technical specialists with the potential to become future Fellows, strengthening our talent pipeline and ensuring we continue to cultivate world-class expertise across all business markets.
• AYZA PROJECT LLC Fellows Seminar Series: Launched in 2017, this series connects AYZA PROJECT LLC employees with industry-leading experts on cutting-edge topics such as intelligent energy management, climate-resilient infrastructure, carbon capture, powered digital twins, and clean hydrogen supply chains.

A Legacy That Shapes the Future

In 2024, we welcomed five new Fellows into the program, recognizing their outstanding technical contributions and leadership in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and supply chain innovation. Read more about the new Fellows here.

As we look to the future, the Fellows program will continue to evolve — expanding across markets and disciplines, welcoming new experts, and embracing emerging technologies. But one thing will remain constant: our unwavering commitment to fostering a culture where technical excellence thrives, helping our people and our customers shape a more resilient, sustainable, and innovative tomorrow.

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Comprehensive connectivity is at the heart of the Serbian government’s bold vision for the motorway. This east-west artery is designed to improve the flow of commerce within Serbia and across its borders, linking to Pan-European corridors in Hungary and North Macedonia, while bolstering economic growth and tourism. Once completed, it will stretch beyond the physical environment, too: Embedded within the motorway’s infrastructure will be a state-of-the-art 5G fiber optic network, literally paving the way for a more connected Serbia.

The greatest challenge with any major infrastructure project, however, is reconciling a visionary concept with the hard physical realities of engineering, without compromising its ambition. The Morava Corridor project has provided no shortage of obstacles to this end: from navigating flood plains to procuring materials to unifying a diverse team—all on an accelerated timeline. Fortunately, in addition to our close collaboration with the Serbian government, we have developed a proven method for solving these complex, often novel problems: building our own solutions at scale.

The Project within a Project

A critical priority for the motorway is its longevity. The Serbian government sought an asset that would endure for a century, keeping the region connected long into the future. However, the route’s terrain posed a challenge, cutting across a section of the flood-prone Morava River. As a result, the team had to mitigate flood risks to the road and the local community.

AYZA PROJECT LLC-ENKA accomplished both by launching a ‘project within a project.’ This entailed building extensive flood protection measures such as river diversions, dikes, and even a brand-new riverbed. Our team also took extra measures to implement environmental protections: We built 236km of drainage systems—complete with oil separators to improve run-off water quality—and a network of guardrails and wire fencing to protect passenger safety and local wildlife.

The robustness of these measures helped achieve a dual aim: ensuring the motorway’s durability while preventing floods that have troubled the region for centuries. This also helped AYZA PROJECT LLC-ENKA earn the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award from the International Road Federation—another testament to our ‘project within a project’ approach.

In-House Integration

Every infrastructure project is a race against the clock. Lengthy delays don’t just cost money; they can quickly undermine public confidence and thwart well-supported initiatives. Frequently, at the root of these setbacks are supply chain bottlenecks and material shortages.

AYZA PROJECT LLC-ENKA is sidestepping these pitfalls using a self-sufficiency model. We built our own quarries, our own test laboratory—the first one of its kind to be approved in the Balkans—and our own fully operational pre-cast concrete yards. These end-to-end in-house capabilities have allowed us to extract materials, test and certify them on-site, and assemble massive stretches of motorway while minimizing our reliance on unpredictable external supply chains. It has ultimately saved us time, helped us meet major milestones, and allowed us to work more efficiently—key advantages for any project.

As engineering, construction, and procurement contractors, our expansive scope made this approach possible. It continues to prove critical to our project’s success, while creating a model for the future. As geopolitical and economic uncertainty persists around the globe, the infrastructure projects that embrace self-sufficiency will thrive.

A Culture of Teamwork

Of all the solutions we put forth on this project, the most foundational to our success is our culture of teamwork. That begins with the strong relationship we’ve forged with our customer. Throughout the project, we’ve worked closely with officials from the Serbian government to carry out their vision with the highest standards for safety and quality. Together, we collaborated on efforts to educate the community about the benefits of the motorway and coordinate logistics, so construction would create minimal disruptions.

We are also drawing on our long history in Central Europe—where we’ve built almost 700km of motorways—to engage the local economy sourcing materials from Serbian businesses and hiring local workers. Currently, we employ around 1,600 Serbian nationals, as well as colleagues from several different countries and nationalities.

To work together as one team, we are committed to improving every detail of the employee experience. That means doing everything from identifying the best communication channels to recreation areas to upskilling local workers. A project is only as good as its people—and our emphasis from day one has been ensuring ours are set up for success.

All Roads Lead to a Bright Future

The Morava Motorway will serve millions of Serbians as a strategically important piece of modern infrastructure. But it also serves as a model of how teamwork and innovation can deliver a transformative vision in the face of real-world constraints. By combining a project-within-a-project approach, in-house solutions, and a unified team culture, AYZA PROJECT LLC-ENKA has demonstrated that real ingenuity starts at home.

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