Infrastructure Technology Podcast

Building Phase 1 of NYC’s Second Avenue Subway

On this episode of the ITP, Mass Transit magazine Associate Editor Brandon Lewis sits down with Dan McNichol, Bill Goodrich and Joe Stanford to discuss their new book, "Second Avenue Subway: Building New York City's Most Famous Thing Never Built" — a 350-page hardcover featuring over 256 mostly unpublished photographs on Phase 1 of the project. 
About the book
A hundred years of planning. A decade of construction. New York City's Future. "Second Avenue Subway: Building New York City's Most Famous Thing Never Built" is the story of the past, present and future of New York's newest subway line. This 350-page hardcover book tells the story of the multi-faceted challenges faced by critical infrastructure projects, and how Phase 1 of the project was finally completed through the grit and determination of everyone involved. 
Featured Guests
Dan McNichol
Dan McNichol is a best-selling author, award-winning journalist and public speaker known for chronicling America’s most significant infrastructure projects. A contributor to National Public Radio and a former White House appointee focused on transportation policy, he has also served as chief spokesman for major projects, including Boston's Big Dig, California's High-Speed Rail and the reconstruction of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. 
Bill Goodrich
Bill Goodrich is a transportation infrastructure executive and licensed professional engineer with more than 40 years of experience in engineering and construction management. Most recently, he served as executive vice president and senior program executive at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, overseeing Phase 1 of the Second Avenue Subway and East Side Access, including the opening of Grand Central Madison. He previously contributed to the Fulton Transit Center and Boston’s Big Dig and is a graduate of United States Military Academy with an MS in civil engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  
Joe Stanford
Joe Stanford is a strategic communicator and editor with decades of experience in America's infrastructure, including work with the U.S. Departments of Energy and Transportation. He has worked as transportation systems analyst, energy technology specialist, writer and editor, with a constant focus on communicating difficult and important concepts to key stakeholders. He has a master's degree from MIT in System Design and Management, focusing on complex socio-technical systems, with a specialization in transportation and urban planning.  
What You'll Learn
Why NYC’s Second Avenue Subway took nearly a century to advance — and what finally pushed the project forward.
What made constructing a subway beneath one of the world’s densest urban environments uniquely challenging.
How the Second Avenue Subway set off a domino effect, unlocking projects like East Side Access, Grand Central Madison, and the Hudson Tunnel Project.
What surprised the project’s chroniclers most about New York City’s aging and complex infrastructure.
Inside the Episode 
Episode Length: 39:31
 
Timestamps:
2:25 — Mass Transit interview
32:30 — The team's takeaways 
Useful Links
"Second Avenue Subway: Building New York City's Most Famous Thing Never Built"
Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway Project
Send us a topic suggestion! 
Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast!Email itp@endeavorb2b.com with your thoughts on the Second Avenue Subway — we might read them on air. 

AI, Ethics and the Future of Infrastructure

The ITP team opens this episode by responding to a listener question about whether artificial intelligence is being pushed too quickly — and what the surge of AI marketing says about regulation, responsibility and public trust. 
Later in the episode, Gavin sits down with UC Berkeley civil engineering students Michael Yamaguchi and Sarah Saadeh from the American Society of Civil Engineers student chapter to explore how digital tools like AI, building information modeling (BIM) and digital twins are reshaping construction and transportation. 
To wrap up the episode, Brandon quizzes Gavin and Jessica on the history of some of the oldest transit systems and bridges in the United States.
Featured Guests 
Michael Yamaguchi - UC Berkeley
Michael Yamaguchi is the president of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) UC Berkeley Student Chapter and a civil engineering student with a focus on construction and rail infrastructure.
Sarah Saadeh - UC Berkeley
Sarah Saadeh is the vice president of the ASCE UC Berkeley Student Chapter and a civil engineering student with a data science background, interested in the intersection of technology, ethics and infrastructure delivery.
What You’ll Learn
Why the rapid rise of AI is raising questions about regulation, ethics, and public trust.
How digital twins, BIM and real‑time data are changing how infrastructure is designed, built and maintained.
Where data collection and AI cross ethical boundaries in transportation and construction.
How the next generation of engineers views technology, workforce challenges and long‑term infrastructure impact.
Insight into the history and longevity of major U.S. transit systems and bridges.
Inside the Episode
Episode Length: 1:12:55
Timestamps: 
6:25 — Listener emails 
13:15 — Interview with Sarah Saadeh and Michael Yamaguchi
1:00:40 — Over and Under with Mass Transit
Useful Links
American Society of Civil Engineers UC Berkeley Student Chapter
UC Berkeley Civil and Environmental Engineering 
"AI Moves From Concept to Construction" Roads & Bridges
"How Technology is Reshaping Roadway Safety and Traffic Management" Roads & Bridges
Send us a topic suggestion! 
Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast!Email itp@endeavorb2b.com with your thoughts on AI and transportation  — we might read them on air. 
 

The Next Generation Shaping the Public Transit Industry

Co-hosts Brandon Lewis and Jessica Parks lead this episode of the ITP, joined by Mass Transit's Noah Kolenda. They examine one year of congestion pricing and its impact on traffic patterns and urban mobility in New York City and beyond. 
Brandon also sits down with Penn State student Jorge Diaz to explore the future of transit through the lens of an emerging professional — from data analytics and machine learning to the growing need for more multimodal, people-focused infrastructure.
To close out the episode, Jessica quizzes Brandon and Noah on project pricing from Roads & Bridges' 2025 Top 10 Bridge Awards. 
Featured Guests
Jorge Diaz - Penn State University 
Jorge Diaz is a transportation engineering student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Penn State. His studies focus on transit systems, with research spanning the impacts of transit policies on ridership, security incidents, accessibility and equity. 
Noah Kolenda - Mass Transit 
Noah Kolenda is the associate editor at Mass Transit, where he specializes in data-driven coverage of transit operations, ridership and urban mobility trends. 
What You'll Learn
How congestion pricing in New York City has reduced traffic in Manhattan and reshaped travel behavior across the Five Boroughs in its first year. 
How a new generation of transit professionals is applying data-driven thinking, global perspective and multimodal planning. 
Why the next generation of the industry is shifting from car-centric design towards systems focused on moving people more efficiently. 
How well you can stack up on bridge project pricing from Roads & Bridges' 2025 Top 10 Bridge Awards. 
Inside the Episode
Episode length: 44:34 
Timestamps: 
2:17 — Congestion pricing
14:18  — Interview with Jorge Diaz
32:43 — Quiz on Roads & Bridges 2025 Top 10 Bridge Awards
Useful Links
"NYC marks one year of congestion pricing with faster travel, cleaner air, safer streets and more revenue than expected" — Noah Kolenda 
Congestion Relief Zone Tolling First Evaluation Report
Roads & Bridges Top 10 Bridge Awards
Send us a topic suggestion!
Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast!Email itp@endeavorb2b.com with your thoughts on congestion pricing  — we might read them on air. 

How Construction Materials and Supply Chains Affect Infrastructure Projects

The ITP team returns to dive into post-pandemic transit and the evolving forces shaping infrastructure today. Mass Transit’s Noah Kolenda joins Gavin, Brandon, and Jessica to break down five years of ridership recovery across the New York MTA system — revealing how commuter rail, buses, subways and paratransit have each rebounded differently as travel habits shift.
Later in the episode, Gavin speaks with Keith Plokhoy of CMC to explore how construction materials, supply chains and pre‑engineered bridge technology are transforming project delivery. Their conversation highlights how accelerated bridge construction can improve resilience, cut man‑hours and reopen critical routes faster after disruptive events.
To wrap up the episode, Brandon puts the team to the test with a fresh round of Mass Transit trivia.
Featured Guests 
Noah Kolenda - Mass Transit 
Noah Kolenda is the associate editor at Mass Transit, where he specializes in data-driven coverage of transit operations, ridership and urban mobility trends. 
Keith Plokhoy - CMC 
Keith Plokhoy is the director of bridge systems at CMC. His work focuses on bringing pre‑engineered, accelerated bridge construction solutions to market, helping agencies deliver projects faster, more safely and with greater long‑term resilience.
What You'll Learn
How ridership has recovered across MTA modes — from commuter rail to subways — and what the data reveals about changing post‑pandemic travel habits.
How construction materials, supply chains and accelerated bridge construction technologies are influencing project delivery timelines and cost savings.
How pre‑engineered bridge systems improve resilience in areas facing extreme weather and repeated flooding.
Insights from Brandon’s Mass Transit trivia showdown — covering the latest news, fleet transitions and funding shifts across the industry.
Inside the Episode 
Episode Length: 50:50
Timestamps: 
1:40 – Noah's MTA data dive 
16:53 – Interview with Keith Plokhoy
44:10 – Mass Transit news quiz
Useful Links
CMC Bridge Systems
MTA Ridership Data (NY Open Data Portal) 
Send us a topic suggestion! 
Don’t forget to subscribe to the ITP and rate and review our podcast!Email itp@endeavorb2b.com with your transit or infrastructure hot takes — we might read them on air.
 

How Technology Will Shape 2026 for Roads, Bridges and Public Transit

The Season 3 premiere of the ITP kicks off with a forward-looking conversation on where transportation and infrastructure technology are headed next. Gavin, Brandon and Jessica break down predictions on AI adoption, smart roads, real-time traffic management and the uncertain future of federal infrastructure funding.  
The episode also features an in-depth interview with leaders from HNTB and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), exploring how transit agencies are leveraging data and AI to improve safety, operations and the rider experience. 
To wrap up the episode, Brandon reflects on his recent trip to Washington, D.C., and the city’s standout accessibility.
Featured Guests 
Joanna M. Pinkerton - HNTB
Joanna M. Pinkerton is HNTB’s national practice leader for digital infrastructure solutions, where she advances programs focused on digital transformation of public infrastructure, integration of AI, and the use of advanced analytics to serve communities more efficiently. She previously served as president and CEO of the Central Ohio Transit Authority.
Dee Leggett - DART
Dee Leggett is the former executive vice president and chief development officer at DART. A nationally recognized transit leader with more than 20 years of experience, she has overseen planning, engineering, real estate, design, construction, and development programs for major transportation projects across the U.S.
What You'll Learn
The team’s top predictions for 2026, including how AI, real‑time traffic tools, and emerging safety tech could shape both transit and roadway operations.
Why the upcoming expiration of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act may create uncertainty for long‑term infrastructure planning, funding stability and project delivery.
How transit agencies like DART and HNTB are using data, AI analytics, and customer journey mapping to improve safety, communication and the overall rider experience.
What Brandon discovered about Washington, D.C.’s accessibility — and how the city’s design compares to other U.S. transit environments.
Inside the Episode
Episode Length: 1:01:53
Timestamps:
1:30- 2026 predictions
12:40- Interview with HNTB and DART
47:00- Washington, D.C. accessibility 
Useful Links
HNTB Digital Infrastructure Solutions 
DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) 
Roads & Bridges - AI Moves from Concept to Construction
Send us a topic suggestion! 
Don't forget to subscribe to the ITP, and rate and review our podcast! Email itp@endeavorb2b.com with your boldest 2026 infrastructure prediction — we might read it on air! 
 

Looking ahead to technological trends in 2026

On the Season 2 finale of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, Gavin, Brandon, and Jessica are joined by Noah, who breaks down the U.S. transit industry’s zero-emission bus transition, including fleet size, propulsion types, infrastructure gaps, and the impact of tariffs. Returning guests Jay Wratten and Chris Harman from WSP review their 2025 technology predictions, discussing what came true and how AI, digital twins, USDOT requirements, and digital delivery are accelerating into 2026. 

Smart Bus Shelters

In this episode of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, the team dives into the city of Albuquerque’s new smart bus shelters—a project aimed at making transit safer, cleaner and more efficient for riders. Brandon Lewis interviews Bobby Sisneros, the deputy director of Albuquerque’s Transit Department, who explains how these shelters integrate technology and thoughtful design to improve the rider experience. 

How VR and AI Are Reshaping Construction

In this episode of the ITP, the team dives into fresh ridership data from the American Public Transportation Association, revealing that heavy rail has seen the strongest post-pandemic rebound. Later, Gavin Jenkins speaks with Steve Davidson, chief strategy officer at American Structurepoint, explains how technologies like virtual and augmented reality are enhancing collaboration, improving project accuracy and helping both stakeholders and the public visualize infrastructure before it’s built. 

UCLA’s efforts towards zero-emission transportation

In Episode 9 of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast, the team responds to listener emails before Brandon's interview with Dave Karwaski of UCLA Transportation, who outlines the university’s cutting-edge Sustainable Transportation Plan, including full bus fleet electrification, inductive charging technology and the integration of Waymo autonomous vehicles into campus life. The episode closes with Ileana’s Bunny Man Bridge urban legend.

How WSP is Driving the Future of V2X Technology

This week on the ITP, the team guesses which U.S. transit agencies led 2024’s bus ridership rankings before Virginia Lingham of WSP details how V2X technology is transforming roadway safety through connected infrastructure, collaboration and workforce innovation.