For the last several years, housing and commercial development have been under the spotlight in New Hampshire. Building professionals have had to be creative to address challenges in infrastructure, resilience in the face of a changing climate and a focus on sustainable design. Our expert weighs in on engineering innovations and trends.

Panelist: Ting Chang, PE, LEED AP, Senior Project Manager, TFMoran, tfmoran.com

What challenges are engineering firms dealing with when working on new construction projects?

As cities and communities continue to expand with new residential and commercial development, the strain on aging infrastructure becomes increasingly evident. While new construction brings economic growth, housing opportunities and increased tax revenue, it also places added pressure on systems that, in many cases, were not designed to support the pace or scale of today’s development.

Transportation infrastructure is among the most visibly affected. Roads, highways and bridges built decades ago are now handling far greater volumes of traffic from both residents and commercial activity. The added load leads to faster wear and tear, increased congestion and higher maintenance needs. In areas where infrastructure investment has lagged, the risk of deterioration and even failure becomes more pronounced.

Underground, the situation is equally critical. Sewer and water systems, particularly in older neighborhoods and urban centers, were originally constructed for smaller populations and now struggle to keep up. Overloaded lines can result in backups, flooding and environmental hazards, especially during heavy rainfall. Stormwater management has also become a growing concern. As more land is covered by impervious surfaces such as roads, parking lots and rooftops, less rainwater is absorbed naturally into the ground. The result is increased surface runoff that overwhelms aging stormwater systems. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, the risk of flash flooding, erosion and water pollution continues to rise.

What efforts are you seeing to address these infrastructure challenges?

To support sustainable growth, communities must plan ahead and invest wisely. Comprehensive infrastructure assessments should be part of the development approval process to understand how proposed projects will impact existing systems and what upgrades may be necessary. Collaborative solutions, such as public-private partnerships, allow developers to contribute to improvements that directly benefit their projects while offsetting public costs. Federal initiatives like the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan offer historic funding for upgrades to transportation, water, sewer and stormwater systems. These programs provide critical support for communities working to strengthen their foundations and prepare for future growth.

At the same time, embracing green infrastructure — such as bioswales, permeable pavement, green roofs and rain gardens — can ease the burden on stormwater systems while improving environmental resilience. With thoughtful planning, strong partnerships and strategic investment, communities can ensure that infrastructure not only keeps pace with growth but is prepared for the challenges ahead.

What services do you offer to help plan for these needs?

TFMoran, Inc. is one of the largest full-service engineering firms in New Hampshire, with offices in Bedford and Portsmouth. The firm’s services include civil, structural, traffic and transportation engineering, land surveying, landscape architecture, environmental permitting, stormwater monitoring and construction support services.