102826 CSCE Dinner Meeting at UConn Storrs
FYI - Payments can be made using Venmo, credit cards and PayPal at the PayPal payment screen (see example yellow box below) in the online registration system.
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Please join CSCE at our monthly meeting at the Graduate Hotel at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. This meeting will feature a presentation on I-91/I-691/Route 15 Interchange Improvements in Meriden, CT, by Ranjit Bhave, P.E., Nathan Rossi, P.E, and Jacob Gray, PE, RSP 1, CMIT, of Parsons. This meeting is co-sponsored by the Connecticut Chapter of the ASCE Transportation & Development Institute and the ASCE Student Chapter at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. Attendees may earn 1 NYS PDH at this event.
Parsons served as the lead designer for this $550 million ACE Award-winning interchange improvement program, delivering the complete design for a major interchange upgrade. The project includes pavement rehabilitation along 5 miles of I-91, 2 miles each of Route 15 and I-691 and associated local roads. The scope also encompasses 68 structures, including 29 new retaining walls, full replacement of 6 bridges, rehabilitation and widening of existing bridges and culverts, as well as storm drainage, noise walls, public outreach, permitting, utility relocation, ITS, illumination, and right-of-way impacts.
A Needs and Deficiencies Study identified several operational and safety issues, most notably that the system ramps connecting I-91 and Route 15 in both northbound and southbound directions had insufficient capacity, inadequate weaving distances, and a confusing configuration. Following an alternatives analysis, the ramp layout was finalized to address these concerns.
To align delivery with CTDOT’s capital program commitments, the overall interchange improvement effort was divided into three separate projects, each with independent utility. Of these, one project was delivered using a design-build procurement method, while the other two were advanced through design-bid-build. The design-build phase has already been completed, and the remaining two projects are currently under construction. Completion of the overall program is anticipated by December 2030.
In addition to connecting with students at UConn, meeting new friends and catching up with former colleagues, meeting attendees will learn about the application of FHWA’s Performance Based Practical Design guidelines and the treatment of asphalt overlays over the existing concrete pavement during this evening.
Ranjit Bhave, P.E.
Ranjit Bhave, P.E., is a Project Manager with Parsons and has over 20 years of experience in developing improvement alternatives, horizontal and vertical geometry, drainage design, and maintenance and protection of traffic and construction staging; procuring professional services; developing specifications and property maps; providing design services during construction; coordinating with other disciplines; designing signage and striping; preparing quantity takeoffs and cost estimates; developing scopes and budgets; coordinating utility work; and ensuring pedestrian safety. Ranjit acted as a deputy project manager for the Meriden Interchange project and was responsible for alternatives development, highway design and 3D modeling tasks. Ranjit is currently managing the Highway Task Order contract with CTDOT. Ranjit is also a chair of CSCE Transportation and Development Institute (T&DI) and secretary of Streets and Highway Operations (SHOC) committee of ASCE T&DI.
Nathan Rossi, P.E.
Nathan Rossi, P.E., is a Project Manager with Parsons’ Connecticut Bridge and Structures Group, bringing 15 years of experience in bridge design, inspection, load rating, project management, and construction-phase services. As Principal Bridge Engineer for the I-91/I-691/Route 15 Interchange Improvements Project, he is responsible for overseeing the structural design of 21 highway bridges, 16 culvert bridges, and 29 retaining walls. Nathan currently serves as the project’s Design Liaison during construction, providing design support and coordinating with the project team to maintain the design intent and facilitate successful construction. He is a Connecticut-licensed Professional Engineer and a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering. Nathan is also active in the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers, including helping organize the annual Golf Outing.
Jacob Gray, P.E., RSP 1, CMIT
Jacob Gray, P.E., is a Senior Roadway Engineer, serving Parsons for 11 years with document management, executive summary reporting, site inspection, roadway design, and construction staging. As lead for Maintenance and Protection of Traffic design for I-91/I-691/Route 15 Interchange Improvements Project, he handled the design of the construction staging for Projects 240 and 246 and the interconnection between those projects and 245. He holds a Bachelor’s of Civil Engineering from University of California Irvine and a Master’s of Construction Management from Central Connecticut State University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Connecticut.
5:30-6:30 p.m. Registration and Social Hour followed by the Dinner and Presentation
Graduate by Hilton Storrs Hotel, 855 Bolton Road, Storrs, CT 06268-1719 (circled in purple on the map above)
Here is some information about parking for the meeting:
The hotel will leave the gate open to its parking lot between 5-6 p.m. for meeting attendees to park in its lot. If you arrive after 6 p.m., please stop at the hotel's front desk for a gate key to enter the lot. The map below shows the location of the parking lot next to (east of) the hotel.
After 5:00 p.m., UConn does not ticket. So, some meeting attendees will be able to park in front of the hotel. However, please do not park in the hotel's check-in parking spaces, which are the first row of parking spaces closest to the building. If anyone needs handicap parking, those spots will also be available after 5:00 p.m.
If the hotel's lot is full, the South Parking Garage is a short walk from the hotel and is located at 505 Jim Calhoun Way.
A Note about Photographs - People participating in CSCE events may be photographed by individuals and/or a photographer hired by CSCE. These photographs may appear without compensation or notice in online, printed or electronic materials related to CSCE. People who do not want to be photographed should contact Amy Petrone, CSCE Administrative Assistant, by email at [email protected] or [email protected] or by phone at (860) 879-2723.
CSCE Members - No NYS PDH: $80 - Note: To be considered for CSCE Member registration, people need to be current on their CT Section Dues.
CSCE Members who want to earn 1 NYS PDH: $90 - Note: To be considered for CSCE Member registration, people need to be current on their CT Section Dues.
Non CSCE Members - No NYS PDH: $90
Non CSCE Members who want to earn 1 NYS PDH: $100
Full Time Students - No NYS PDH: $30 (FYI - Student membership in ASCE/CSCE* is free - To join ASCE/CSCE, please visit www.asce.org)
Unemployed CSCE Members: No Charge/No NYS PDH - Please send an email to [email protected] to register for this option. To be considered for CSCE Member registration, people need to be current on their CT Section Dues.
Only attending the presentation - No meal/No Charge/No NYS PDH - Please send an email to [email protected] to register for this option.
Reservations received and accepted after October 21st, may incur a $10 additional fee.
Payment is required with registration unless other arrangements are made. CSCE cannot give refunds after the final dinner order has been placed.
Please register to attend this dinner meeting by clicking on the following link:
Table Top Sponsor - $100 - Table signs with your company logo on each dinner table
Flyer Sponsor - $250 - Your company logo on event promotional emails and upcoming events flyer distributed at dinner meeting
Promotional Item Sponsor - $500 - This sponsorship offers your company logo on a promotional item that will be distributed at the dinner meeting. The item can either be provided by the sponsoring company or CSCE can order an item that is purchased by the company.
Social Hour Sponsor - $1,000 - Your company logo will be included on meeting promotional material and signage recognizing your sponsorship will be displayed at the social hour.
To sponsor this dinner meeting, please click on the following link:
Donation Opportunities
Please consider a donation to the CSCE scholarship fund to help civil engineering students from Connecticut. All donations will help students in need. To make a donation to CSCE, please click on the following link: