Teamwork

Highway Engineer

The Roadway Design Engineer prepares plans and specifications for roadway construction and improvement projects. Before a road structure can be designed, the Engineer must determine the exact route the road will take, how many lanes are needed, how this road interfaces with other roads, and how the flow of traffic will be maintained. Design of the roadway system involves many considerations including safety, parking, traffic calming, pedestrian and bike paths, drainage, highway signs, road markings, signal systems, roadway lighting, impact attenuators, and guide rails. The Roadway Design Engineer conducts traffic studies, participates in public meetings, writes technical reports, and conducts construction analyses.

Other responsibilities typically include:

Performing roadway geometric design for horizontal and vertical alignment from preliminary to final design.
Preparing technical designs in accordance with design standards using roadway design software.
Preparing plan and specification documents including base sheet, details, quantities, special provisions, and estimates.
Coordinating with reviewers to ensure accuracy and quality of work.
Managing and maintaining project documentation.
Design systems or structures using sustainable materials, such as porous pavement or bioretention structures.
Preparing design for drainage and runoff.
Preparing designs that do not damage natural plant and wildlife environments.

Maintenance Safety Manager

A Highway Maintenance Safety Manager is responsible for oversight of maintenance activities in a given administrative district, including overseeing roadway repair, maintenance, and improvement projects, winter maintenance operations, and facilities and asset management. The Maintenance Safety Manager supervises maintenance staff; roadway monitoring, inspection, and permitting processes; disaster and emergency response; and roadway inspection and hazardous materials procedures. As such, execution of duties has a direct impact on the safety of both maintenance workers and the traveling public. Maintenance Safety Managers provide leadership on road safety promotion by means of maintenance activities and practices. Safety-related competencies include knowledge of systemic safety principles to assess risk, develop safety plans, and promote, implement, and evaluate maintenance impact on road user safety.

Other responsibilities typically include:

Identify hazards and control measures for maintenance activities.
Develop incident management and other safety plans based on risk assessment, incorporating knowledge of safety regulations and compliance measures.
Ensure effective traffic control techniques are in place to safeguard workers and those passing through a work zone or site during maintenance activities.
Implement effective road safety countermeasures through maintenance activities.
Ensure maintenance staff are able to identify, report, and/or remediate road safety deficiencies.
Promote a positive organizational safety culture.

Download this page as a PDF.

Road Construction Manager

A Construction Manager for heavy civil and highway/roadway projects is responsible for the overall completion and management of construction projects. Responsibilities include oversight of project quality control, financial controls, production efficiency, site safety, and project management systems and reporting. The position requires knowledge of construction and project management practices, equipment, standards and policies, and job site reporting. Construction Managers provide leadership on safety promotion on the project site. Safety-related competencies include knowledge of systemic safety principles to assess risk, develop safety plans, and promote, implement, and evaluate project saftey.

Other responsibilities typically include:

Identify hazards and control measures for each phase of a project.
Develop safety plans based on risk assessment, incorporating knowledge of safety regulations and compliance measures.
Utilize effective traffic control techniques to ensure safety of project site workers and those passing through a work zone.
Implement effective safety measures on site and use safety management techniques to conduct incident investigations, identify deficiencies, and implement effective countermeasures.
Understand systemic road safety principles and crash reduction factors; ensure road design and construction practices integrate road safety best practices.

Download this page as a PDF.

Maintenance Engineer, Highway

A Highway Maintenance Engineer is responsible for determining cost-effect preventive maintenance treatments, upgrade, and repair strategies to maintain highways, bridges and roadside facilities within an assigned area of operation. This position follows state department of transportation standards and applies asset management principles to schedule and prioritize work. This position assess highway corridors holistically and programs actions through a lens of environmental stewardship, sustainability, safety, and resilience.

Other duties typically include:

Develops and monitors maintenance budget.
Oversees selection and maintenance of major roadway maintenance equipment.
Responsible for landscape and vegetation management along roadways.
Responsible for emergency response preparedness for maintenance.
Responsible for the development, preparation, and letting of maintenance contracts for the district.
Works with governmental officials and the public to set maintenance program goals and expectations.
Administers and inspects contracted maintenance activities.

Download this page as a PDF

Highway Maintenance Superintendent

A Highway Maintenance Superintendent is a top-level supervisor. The Superintendent develops schedules and budgets and sets work priorities for maintenance operations. The Superintendent supervises multiple crews tasked with highway and bridge maintenance, repairs, and reconstruction. This person is often assisted by a Senior Highway Maintenance Worker.

Other responsibilities typically include:

Accounting for all equipment issued to subordinates or self, such as hand tools, road building tools, materials, plows and sanders, and trucks and heavy equipment.
Assists with management and developing and monitoring individual training programs.
Works with governmental offices and the public.
Administers and inspects contracted maintenance activities.

Download this page as a PDF

Bridge Design Engineer

A Bridge Design Engineer conducts structural analysis to ensure the strength and safety of highway structures, prepares structural design and contract documents including drawings, specifications, and estimates, participates in preparing the project budget and schedule, participates in meetings with clients and project team members, and reviews the structural calculations and contract documents prepared by others. A Bridge Design Engineer may be the principal design engineer on a project or the assistant design engineer on large, complex projects.

Other responsibilities typically include:

Develop designs for other highway structures such as sign bridges and lighting supports.
Analyze damaged bridges.
Assess structural adequacy of existing bridges to withstand stresses due to oversized or overweight truck stresses to prevent damage or a bridge collapse.
Prepare designs to upgrade an existing bridge by widening the deck, raising the deck, or strengthening the structure.
Assess design related construction problems and erection schemes.
Update bridge standards.
Carry out design investigations of cranes, hoists, and similar apparatus used on bridge and highway maintenance to ensure structural stability and safety of operators.

Download this page as a PDF