Arup Strengthens Bridge Leadership in the Americas

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Arup, a multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm providing its clients with innovative and sustainable project solutions, announced today the expansion of its bridge practice in the Americas with the addition of Rafael Manzanarez as a principal bridge designer, and the promotion of Derya Thompson to bridge and civil structures practice leader.

"Arup is extremely pleased to recognize Rafael and Derya for their rich experience in bridge design and team leadership," said John Eddy, leader of Arup's Infrastructure Practice in the Americas. "As we build on the success of our bridge practice, Rafael and Derya will play prominent roles in caring for our clients, directing their projects, and continually improving our operations."

Rafael Manzanarez joins Arup as principal bridge designer for the Americas. His role at Arup reflects a keen interest and technical expertise in many aspects of bridge design and an array of bridge typologies. Rafael's geographic reach extends to projects throughout the Americas and into Asia. Rafael served as the bridge design manager for the east spans of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge slated to open in 2013. This rare style of bridge, a self-anchored suspension span, will rival the many landmarks that grace the Bay Area. Rafael joins the San Francisco office after more than 30 years with T.Y. Lin International Group.

Derya Thompson is Arup's newly appointed bridge and civil structures practice leader for the Americas. Based in the Los Angeles office, Derya previously served as deputy project manager on the Autoroute 30 (A30) design-build project in Montreal. In addition to her regional role as bridge practice leader, Derya is Arup's Los Angeles bridge practice leader and deputy project manager for the $700m Gerald Desmond Bridge design-build project in Long Beach, California. With Arup since 1991, Derya has contributed to significant bridge projects in all five Arup regions around the globe.

In collaboration with the public sector, developers and architects, Arup's goal for the bridge practice is to shape ambitious, pragmatic and enduring bridges that transform the way people live and work and link communities together. Drawing upon Arup's deep expertise in fundamentals such as wind engineering, seismic design, security, lighting, intelligent transport, and other multi-disciplinary services, Arup designs, engineers and builds major bridges with increased sophistication, aesthetics, and durability. 

Notable bridge projects in the Americas include: the Autoroute 30 (A30) project in Montreal that entails nine interchanges and 42-km of highway with twin, two-km-long bridges, 29 standard highway bridges, and a 100-m tunnel beneath the Soulange Canal; two award winning pedestrian bridges: the Center Street Pedestrian Bridge on the Principal Riverwalk in Des Moines, Iowa, and the Robert I. Schroder Overcrossing along the Iron Horse Trail in the San Francisco Bay area; design lead for the Gerald Desmond Bridge, to be the first cable-stayed highway bridge in California with a 1,000-ft main span; and the reference design for the design/build of the 3-mile-long Tappan Zee Bridge Replacement between Westchester and Rockland Counties in New York.

About Arup

Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world's most prominent projects in the built environment and across industry. Its engineers and consultants deliver innovative projects across the world. The firm was founded in 1946 with an enduring set of values that fosters a distinctive culture, intellectual independence and collaborative approach. The people at Arup are driven to find a better way to deliver better solutions for their clients. (www.arup.com)

SOURCE Arup