We are locally dedicated with international scale

For Dave McAlister, Global Director, Transport and Infrastructure, there is no doubt that being locally dedicated with international scale is fundamental to the success of WSP.  “Leveraging global experience in local markets, that is what WSP is all about,” he says.

Our work in intelligent transportation is a great example of what this means. Autonomous and connected vehicles are for real, but they are just one element in the new mobility landscape. Our experts from Australia, Canada, Sweden, the UK and the US have been working on different mandates to rethink transport across the world. After launching our groundbreaking guide New Mobility Now in 2017, we continue to help in preparing for the future of transit with a Scenario planning tool.

Over the years, WSP has built global networks in its key sectors, and the objective is to make sure the best experts can advise on the most inspiring projects. 

Here are some projects where our global expertise contributed to projects across the world.

WSP’s capacity to leverage our international scale to provide local advisory was a decisive factor when we signed an important and prestigious contract with Danish State Railways (DSB) in 2017. Denmark is investing massively to upgrade its entire rail system, electrifying most of the network and implementing the European standard signaling and safety system, ERTMS.

The project with DSB involves technical and advisory services for the acquisition of future electric trains for the country. The local capability gained through this project is a stepping stone for similar rolling stock market entries in other regions.

=> Read more about Future Trains

The 8.6-kilometre extension of Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to a new station in Fremont, California makes it more convenient for commuters travelling to Oakland and San Francisco. 

WSP played a key role on this project, providing design and construction-phase services that included civil, structural, rail systems and tunnel/geotechnical engineering, including the design of a 1.6-kilometre tunnel under Lake Elizabeth in Fremont Central Park.

“On the BART extension, we had a solid local team that leveraged the firm’s global expertise to make the project a success,” says Tony Murphy, Project Manager based in San Francisco.

The Warm Springs/South Fremont station offers more than 2,000 parking spaces, and the estimated 6,000-7,000 riders using the extension every weekday take thousands of cars off the roads. The project was completed in March 2017, nearly USD 100 million under budget projections. 

=> Read more about Bart Extension

The revitalization of the Rotunda is another project demonstrating local dedication and global scale, as the international experience gained by our local design team members had a major impact on our offering. 

The ambition of our client (PKO Bank Polski SA, one of the leading financial groups in Central and Eastern Europe) is to preserve the legacy of the Rotunda, one of Warsaw’s most recognizable symbols, while providing a sustainable public space to its inhabitants. 

The new design preserves the building’s size and form and restores its original character of lightness and translucency. WSP first worked on the mechanical systems design, then our sustainability team led BREEAM and LEED certifications and energy modelling. In addition to banking space, the new Rotunda will offer public areas, including a café.

=> Read more about Revitalization of the Rotunda