Peter Donahue, PE

Principal Engineer
Owner & Engineering Services

Peter Donahue’s more than 50 years of professional experience includes 33 years at WSP with critical management responsibilities on several major tunnel projects, including the multibillion-dollar Central Artery/Tunnel Project in Boston—one of the largest public works projects ever undertaken in the United States—and the Port of Miami Tunnel, Florida’s first major tunnel. His prior experience focused on municipal and site development engineering ranging from large projects in heavy industries, such as the pulp and paper and petrochemical industries, to projects involving residential subdivisions and urban renewal work in major cities. Mr. Donahue also served as project manager, principal civil engineer, and senior civil engineer for other consulting firms.

Educational Background

  • Masters of Business Administration, New Hampshire College, NH, 1987
  • B.S. Engineering, Roger Williams College, Bristol, RI, 1971

Registered Professional Engineer

Professional Engineer: Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Florida, Virginia

Selected Projects

Central Artery/Tunnel Project, Boston, MA: Design Manager and joint venture Deputy Program Manager for the replacement of a congested six-lane viaduct with a widened eight- to ten-lane underground expressway through the heart of Boston, construction of a new four-lane immersed tube tunnel under Boston Harbor and a 3.9-mile extension of the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) through South Boston to Logan International Airport. Responsibilities included managing a team of engineers, planners and architects encompassing all design disciplines on this multibillion-dollar undertaking; final design management of all design, geotechnical, and hazardous material remediation work; technical resolution of field issues; traffic maintenance during construction; and material disposal management. In a previous assignment as an Area Design Manager, Mr. Donahue was responsible for the management and administration of 10 final design contracts for work in South Boston, East Boston and the harbor crossing in conjunction with the I-90 extension to Logan International Airport. (1990-2005)

Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel Expansion Project, Hampton and Norfolk, VA: Project Manager for the Owner’s Representative contract assisting VDOT in the management and execution of this $3.8 billion project. The project will widen the four lane segments of the I-64 corridor in the cities of Hampton and Norfolk. Twin two lane bored tunnels will be built west of the existing eastbound tunnel. Responsibilities included assisting senior VDOT officials in the overall management of the project activities; managing a team of engineers, architects and planners in conducting final design reviews for conformance with contractual requirements; staffing and managing teams of resident engineers and construction inspectors to oversee construction operations and providing engineers and inspectors to assist with testing and commissioning services. (2018-2020)

South Coast Rail Project, Boston, MA: Project Manager for the Owner’s Representative contract. Served in an oversight role to extend commuter rail service from Boston to the South Coast area of Massachusetts. The project includes 52 mile of track, 45 grade crossings, 30 railroad bridges, 6 highway bridges, 2 station reconstructions and 10 new stations. Activities include budget and schedule reviews, peer reviews, value engineering, management of cost recovery program and submittal of annual reports to legislative and government leaders on the status of the program. (2014-2018)

Port of Miami Tunnel and Access Roadway Improvement Project, Miami, FL: Project Manager of WSP’s Owner’s Representative contract for Florida’s first major tunnel—two 42-foot-diameter (12.8-meter) bored tunnels under Biscayne Bay connecting Interstate Route I-395 to the Port of Miami. Responsibilities included managing the development of the technical specifications and conceptual design, coordinating the development of contractual documentation for the alternative procurement process, assistance during the contract negotiation process, and design review and construction oversight. Other elements of the work included utility relocations, widening of existing bridges over Biscayne Bay, new depressed roadways, and realignment of existing roadways along with support facilities for the operation and maintenance of the new roadway network. (2005-2014)

Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Project, Seattle, WA: Senior Engineering Consultant on this project to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct, a double-decked elevated section of State Route 99. Completed in 1953, the viaduct and adjacent seawall were at risk of failure from earthquakes and irreversible loss of use from age and deterioration. The project consisted of replacement of the 1-mile southern end of the structure and connecting it to the central waterfront portion of the viaduct via a 54-foot diameter, 2-mile long, bored tunnel beneath downtown Seattle. (2011)

I-77 HOT Lanes Project, Mecklenburg and Iredell Counties, NC: Senior Engineering Manager to NCDOT assisted with the development of technical requirements for design, construction and operations and maintenance for the P3 procurement documents for the design, construction, financing, operations and maintenance of HOT lanes along the I-77 corridor. (2015)

Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project, Amesbury-Newburyport, MA: QA/QC Manager for the $300 million improvement project for the John Greenleaf Whittier Memorial Bridge. The project consisted of adding a high speed shoulder and breakdown lane in each direction and increasing the travel lanes in each direction from three to four. Responsibilities included review and coordination of design/build documentation and the implementation and execution of QA/QC procedures. (2006)

Passaic-Bergen Passenger Service Restoration Project, Passaic and Bergen Counties, NJ: Senior Engineering Manager responsible for the development and implementation of project management systems, schedule development, and issues resolution processes. The project involved the preliminary design of 10.2 miles of new track alignment to accommodate diesel multiple unit (DMU) vehicles. The project also included the preliminary design of 12 stations, two park-and-ride facilities, yard and shops, and reconstruction of four bridges. (2006)