Deep Dive with Tom Fini
Our Deep Dive series features our technical experts who give you an inside look at how we are solving complex infrastructure challenges for our clients from across the world.
Tom Fini is Process Mechanical Lead for AECOM’s New York Metro region, specializing in the design of pumping systems, force mains, and water, wastewater, and stormwater treatment facilities. As a member of our Process Mechanical and Pumping Systems Technical Practice Group, Tom oversees standards, master specifications, and the design of mechanical process systems, materials handling, and chemical storage and feed systems.
In this Deep Dive, we are highlighting how Tom and his team enhanced the reliability of New York City’s sewer infrastructure by rehabilitating the Avenue U Pumping Station, while implementing innovative strategies to ensure uninterrupted operations during the upgrade.
In urban environments, rehabilitating critical infrastructure like pumping stations presents a unique set of challenges, especially when continuous operation is non-negotiable. The Avenue U Pumping Station rehabilitation project in Brooklyn, New York City (NYC), exemplifies innovative engineering solutions to these challenges. The pumping station serves the community by collecting and pumping wastewater from the surrounding area to the treatment facility, preventing flooding and ensuring the safe and reliable conveyance of sewage. It plays a critical role in protecting public health and maintaining environmental standards in Brooklyn.
Serving the community for decades, the station faced aging equipment, structural vulnerabilities and limited operational flexibility. The challenge, therefore, was to modernize the station while keeping it fully operational throughout the construction process. The project is not only addressing immediate infrastructure needs but also serves as a model for future rehabilitation efforts. As cities worldwide grapple with aging infrastructure, the lessons from Avenue U will guide engineers and policymakers in maintaining essential services during complex upgrades.
Tell us about a project that has impacted or been a major highlight of your career. How is it delivering a better world?
The Avenue U Pumping Station is certainly one of the most impactful projects I’ve delivered. As the design manager for this project, I led a multidisciplinary team to address the complex challenges of upgrading this critical piece of infrastructure while ensuring uninterrupted operations. The Avenue U Pumping Station is a cornerstone of the city’s wastewater management system, and its rehabilitation is essential to ensure the long-term reliability and resilience of this vital infrastructure.
With the design phase now complete and the project moving into the bid phase, we are one step closer to realizing the tangible outcomes of this work. The upgrades will improve the operational efficiency of the pumping station, reducing the risk of system failures and extending its service life by decades. This will directly contribute to environmental sustainability by preventing potential wastewater overflows, which can have severe ecological and public health impacts. Notably, this project is pursuing at least Gold Envision Certification, underscoring its commitment to sustainability and resilience. Economically, the project will ensure uninterrupted wastewater services for thousands of residents and businesses, avoiding costly disruptions and maintaining the quality of life in the community.
Upholding our Sustainable Legacies principles, the project aligns with our commitment to sustainable infrastructure. By implementing innovative solutions to maintain continuous operations during construction, we are minimizing the project’s environmental footprint and ensuring positive social impacts by safeguarding essential services for the community.
The Avenue U Pumping Station is a cornerstone of the New York City’s wastewater management system, and its rehabilitation is essential to ensure the long-term reliability and resilience of this vital infrastructure. The upgrades will improve the operational efficiency of the pumping station, reducing the risk of system failures and extending its service life by decades. This will directly contribute to environmental sustainability by preventing potential wastewater overflows, which can have severe ecological and public health impacts.
What was a key challenge you/your team faced while working on this project? How did you solve it?
The primary challenge was designing a rehabilitation plan for the pumping station that would allow it to remain fully operational throughout the construction process. This required developing a comprehensive bypass pumping system capable of handling the station’s full capacity without interrupting service. The complexity of working in a dense urban environment, with limited space and strict regulatory requirements, added another layer of difficulty.
As the design manager, I played a central role in coordinating with the client, contractors, and other stakeholders to develop an innovative bypass system that is both constructible and resilient. My responsibilities included managing the design team, ensuring seamless communication across disciplines, and aligning our approach with the client’s goals and regulatory requirements. We conducted detailed hydraulic modeling and risk assessments to ensure the system could handle peak flows and unexpected scenarios. One key innovation was incorporating an interconnecting pipe between two influent manholes at the pumping station, replicating existing conditions and enhancing system flexibility.
A memorable breakthrough moment came when we finalized the design of the bypass system, ensuring it met all operational and regulatory requirements. This was a testament to the team’s meticulous planning, collaboration and leadership. My role involved not only bringing unique ideas to the table, such as optimizing the layout of the bypass system to minimize space requirements but also ensuring that these ideas were executed effectively through close coordination with all parties involved.
The primary challenge was designing a rehabilitation plan for the pumping station that would allow it to remain fully operational throughout the construction process. As the design manager, I played a central role in coordinating with the client, contractors, and other stakeholders to develop an innovative bypass system that is both constructible and resilient.
How has AECOM enabled you and your teams to cultivate the expertise needed to deliver the Avenue U Pumping Station rehabilitation project — and future work like it?
AECOM has been instrumental in providing the resources, support and collaborative environment needed to deliver complex projects like the Avenue U Pumping Station rehabilitation. Our emphasis on technical excellence and innovation allowed our team to leverage cutting-edge tools and methodologies, such as advanced hydraulic modeling. In particular, AECOM’s Water Technical Academy has been an invaluable resource, offering specialized courses on water and wastewater engineering topics that have deepened our team’s expertise and kept us at the forefront of industry advancements. As the design manager, I drew on our global expertise and best practices to guide the team and deliver a design that meets the client’s needs.
This project has also provided an excellent opportunity for professional growth. I was able to develop new skills in project management, stakeholder coordination and innovative problem-solving. Additionally, I had the chance to mentor junior team members, helping them broaden their expertise in process mechanical design. Leading a diverse team through such a complex project reinforced the importance of clear communication, adaptability and fostering a collaborative culture.
The lessons learned from this project have prepared me and my team to tackle similar challenges in the future. We’ve gained valuable insights into designing resilient infrastructure in urban environments and maintaining operational continuity during complex upgrades. This experience has shaped my approach to future work, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in delivering infrastructure solutions that truly make a difference.
AECOM’s Water Technical Academy has been an invaluable resource, offering specialized courses on water and wastewater engineering topics that have deepened our team’s expertise and kept us at the forefront of industry advancements. As the design manager, I drew on our global expertise and best practices to guide the team and deliver a design that meets the client’s needs.