About the Presentation:

As the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad approaches the 200th anniversary of its founding, this presentation will explore the origins and engineering significance of America’s first commercial railroad. Born in Baltimore, the B&O transformed transportation and helped shape the nation’s infrastructure network.The discussion will highlight ongoing efforts to recognize the B&O Railroad as an ASCE Civil Engineering Landmark, honoring not just individual structures, but the entire system as a transformative civil engineering achievement that advanced surveying, alignment design, bridge construction, and large-scale infrastructure delivery in the United States.

The program will also celebrate Maryland’s “first family” of civil engineers - the Shrivers of Union Mills whose contributions spanned early turnpikes, the National Road, canal surveys, and leadership within the B&O engineering corps. Their work reflects the pioneering spirit that defined early American infrastructure. The evening will conclude with a look toward the future, including current restoration and renovation efforts at the B&O Railroad Museum.

Join us for this engaging event to reflect on the legacy of the B&O Railroad and its lasting impact on the civil engineering profession!

About the Speakers:

Michael O'Connor - MDTA

With more than five decades of experience in engineering, construction, and project management, Michael OConnor has built a distinguished career spanning both the public and private sectors, as well as academia. His career has focused on advancing project management, risk management, procurement, and engineering programs supporting large-scale transportation and infrastructure initiatives. He has received a Masters of Science Civil Engineering from San Jose State University.

William Parks, P.E. - Retired, MTA

William A. Parks’ experience spans structural, track, bridge, and geotechnical engineering, including serving as Project Director in Structural and Track Engineering at the Maryland Transit Administration (1984–2019), as well as roles at Wilson T. Ballard Co. and Chesapeake Drilling Co. He is actively involved in professional organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers (Chair, History & Heritage), and has served as Past President of the Washington Area Railway Engineering Society, with additional contributions to the Transportation Research Board and Morgan State University’s Railway Engineering Advisory Board.He holds a B.S. from the Frank Batten School of Engineering and Technology at Old Dominion University and has completed graduate studies in Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.