Hillis-Carnes was retained to provide Construction Materials Testing and Inspection services for the Claymont Regional Transportation Center (Harris B. McDowell, III Transportation Center) Design-Build Project, supporting the Wagman Heavy Civil, Inc. / Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. design-build team.

The Claymont Regional Transportation Center replaces the former Claymont rail station, which had become outdated and did not meet modern accessibility or capacity standards. Opened in December 2023, the new facility serves as the northernmost Delaware station on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Wilmington/Newark Line, providing a key commuter connection between Delaware and the Philadelphia metropolitan region. The project delivers a modern, ADA-compliant transportation hub featuring high-level platforms, a pedestrian bridge spanning the Northeast Corridor (NEC), structured and surface parking, passenger amenities, and improved roadway access via a new connection to Philadelphia Pike. The transportation center also supports the long-term redevelopment of the surrounding former industrial site, positioning the area for future mixed-use growth.

Hillis-Carnes’ scope encompassed comprehensive testing and inspection services throughout site and vertical construction, including mass grading and fill placement; utility installation; monitoring of modular and segmental retaining walls; stormwater management systems (including underground facilities); shallow and deep foundations (spread footings, mats, and caissons); cast-in-place concrete; reinforcing steel; structural steel; precast concrete; light-gauge framing; floor flatness and levelness testing; sprayed fireproofing and intumescent coatings; load-bearing masonry; pavement; wood framing; roofing; building envelope systems; weekly EIFS inspections; waterproofing; and select shop inspections.