Lyrik Back Bay/Air Rights Parcel is the first successful air rights project constructed over the Massachusetts Turnpike/Interstate I-90 in 40 years. Building over an operating highway and rail line created many foundation design and construction challenges which needed to be overcome to realize a project of this size and complexity. The project is unique in that it is both an infrastructure and commercial development project. The development features a 20-story office building over a two-level, below-grade parking garage, a 13-story hotel, retail and restaurant space, a relocated westbound I-90 access ramp, a new headhouse for subway access, and an elevated public park.
This presentation will describe the unique aspects of this project executed by a private developer over public infrastructure owned by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The focus will be on design and construction of the unique hybrid deep foundation system. The foundation system included rock socketed drilled micropiles (DMPs), drilled shafts, and Load Bearing Elements (LBEs), driven piles, a secant pile wall, concrete diaphragm (slurry) wall, soldier pile and lagging walls, and internal and external bracing (tiebacks). A comprehensive instrumentation and monitoring program was implemented to protect adjacent structures and infrastructure and maintain uninterrupted highway and rail operations during construction. A collaborative effort of many local engineering firms and specialty foundation contractors is recognized in the success of overcoming the many challenges, constraints, and logistical challenges.
Speaker
Marya E. Gorczyca, PE, Senior Principal, Haley & Aldrich
Marya is a highly skilled team leader who consults on the toughest underground engineering challenges. She provides geotechnical and environmental services on commercial development, higher education, and infrastructure projects. She guides clients from conceptual design through construction, focusing on deep foundations and excavations in dense urban areas. Marya brings the same spirit to her leadership in the engineering profession at large. A former chair of the University of New Hampshire’s Industry Advisory Board for the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, she received the department’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2016. Marya is also an active member of the Urban Land Institute, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (CREDA formerly NAIOP), CREW Boston, and the Deep Foundation Institute (DFI), and she speaks frequently on underground engineering and related topics.
Registration Deadline: Monday, October 12, 2026
Registration Information: Register to attend this meeting and pay by credit card online by clicking Register. To register online for an event at the BSCES member rate you must login or enter the email associated with your ASCE membership. Cancellations received after October 12 and no-shows will be billed.