Q&A: Senior Rail Engineer Dave Bearse provides updates on the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety (Section 130) Program.

This week, Dave Bearse, along with LN Manchi and Fahreen Muhammad, will be in Atlanta, Georgia, participating in the , alongside transportation leaders committed to advancing safer rail systems nationwide. As a longtime rail safety partner to GDOT, Ұ����Ƶapp brings nearly two decades of experience supporting GDOT’s Section 130 Program — providing technical leadership, strategic planning and collaborative coordination to identify risks and implement proven safety improvements at highway-rail grade crossings across the state. Through this work, Ұ����Ƶapp continues to help strengthen Georgia’s rail network while protecting the communities it serves.

Q: What’s your role in the Section 130 Program?

I serve as the technical lead for the Ұ����Ƶapp work within the Section 130 Program. My focus is on coordinating and overseeing the technical aspects of railroad safety improvements, working closely with GDOT, CSX Transportation (CSXT), cities, counties and other stakeholders.

Q: Could you provide some background on the Section 130 Program and its origins from your perspective?

The program originated in response to growing highway safety concerns in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when a high number of fatalities at highway-rail grade crossings promoted the federal government to invest highway safety funds in proven countermeasures such as flashing lights and gates. These improvements significantly reduced crashes and laid the foundation for today’s program, which now encompasses a broader range of safety and hazard elimination strategies — including passive warning devices, crossing eliminations, signing and pavement markings, crossing geometric improvements and incentives and construction support to facilitate crossing closures.

Q: Could you elaborate on how your team determines what crossings need improvement?

We work closely with GDOT and railroad consultants to identify crossings that need improvement. Our goal is to maximize safety benefits within the allocated funds. This involves recommending various improvements, such as flashing lights and gates, geometric improvements or suggesting the closure of certain crossings to reduce crash risks.

Q: Can you share some notable achievements or successes of the railroad safety program?

Over the years, the program has significantly reduced fatalities and crashes at railroad grade crossings. Notable achievements include the successful installation of safety features, as well as signing and marking projects to enhance awareness and visibility. Ұ����Ƶapp prepared the Georgia Safety Action Plan and an update that were well-received by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

Q: Can you explain the technology behind railroad crossings and how it has evolved over the years, particularly in terms of safety and monitoring?

The technology at railroad crossings has evolved significantly from electromechanical relays in the early days. By the 1980s, these were replaced with computer systems. Nowadays, new installations come with a recording system, essentially a black box, that logs every event at the crossing. Railroads can remotely monitor and analyze this data to support more efficient and safer operations.

Q: How do you determine which railroad crossings need improvements or upgrades? Are there specific criteria or factors that play a role in prioritizing these enhancements?

Prioritizing improvements involves a comprehensive evaluation. Factors include the number of trains and vehicles, the type of warning devices in place, school bus and passenger train usage and crash history. This data feeds into a prioritization system, but it’s not solely based on numerical values. There are subjective elements, like sight distance, proximity to intersections and the crest at the crossing, that contribute to the decision-making process.

Q: Could you share insights into the collaboration with CSX Transportation and how they contribute to the Section 130 Program?

CSX Transportation (CSXT) is a key partner, sharing data that aids in maintaining and updating records for GDOT. The collaboration extends to implementing safety improvements, with CSXT agreeing to maintain the signals installed by GDOT in perpetuity. This partnership highlights the shared commitment to enhancing safety at railroad crossings.

Q: How has the landscape of railroad safety changed over the years? What trends or challenges do you foresee in the future?

Railroad safety has seen significant improvements, particularly with the widespread adoption of flashing lights and gate signals. However, challenges persist, such as the need for ongoing maintenance and replacement of aging infrastructure. Looking ahead, the focus will likely shift from installing new devices to maintaining and improving existing ones so they remain effective and safe.

Q: What role does data play in your decision-making process? How has it evolved in the last decade?

Data is integral to our decision-making process. With advancements in technology, there’s now an abundance of data available, including crash records, train and vehicle counts and warning device types. This data helps us identify high-priority crossings and allocate resources effectively. The transition in recent years involves recognizing the importance of maintaining and improving existing infrastructure rather than solely focusing on installing new safety devices.

Q: Are there any specific initiatives or innovations in the railroad safety sector that you find particularly promising or impactful?

The continuous improvement in technology, such as remote monitoring and recording systems, holds promise for enhancing railroad safety. Additionally, the industry’s recognition of the need to transition from installing new devices to maintaining and improving existing ones is a positive shift. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect further innovations that contribute to the overall safety and efficiency of railroad crossings.

Michelle Lynch
Ұ����Ƶapp Engineer

Q: What does the WIC Week theme “Level Up. Build Strong.” mean to you as a woman working in construction sector?

To me, “Level Up. Build Strong.” means continually raising the bar on myself, the quality of our work and how we support one another in this industry. From the beginning of my career supporting complex projects like the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, I learned that success requires constant growth, including refining how I document contract records, improving communication and mastering the details that drive infrastructure forward.

Attention to detail means anticipating potential issues, making informed decisions and adapting quickly to evolving project needs. It is this commitment — to both communication and detail — that elevates the professionalism of the construction industry, allows teams to learn from past projects and helps each project contribute to lasting progress.

Q: How has your career given you opportunities to build stronger communities?

Much of my work directly impacts community safety and mobility. For example, on the Los Angeles Metro (LA Metro) inspection project where our team is evaluating 235 structures, including tunnels, aerial stations, bridges and underground platforms, I coordinate inspection schedules, organize operational documents and manage communications across multiple agencies and departments. This work requires a high degree of collaboration and meticulous planning due to the complexity and scale of the transit system. My role involves not only making sure that inspections are conducted efficiently and thoroughly but also that each assessment meets stringent safety and quality standards. By coordinating with engineers, project managers and local authorities, I help identify and address potential issues before they can affect service or rider safety. This proactive approach is essential in a system as heavily used as LA Metro, where even minor disruptions can have significant ripple effects on the community.

Ultimately, all these efforts contribute to building public trust in the transportation network, supporting the mobility needs of Los Angeles residents and enhancing the overall quality of life in the region. Every inspection is an opportunity to not only maintain but also improve the infrastructure, making sure the transit system is safe for the millions who depend on it every day.

Q: In what ways have you had to level up throughout your career?

Early on, working on federal and state projects required me to quickly develop a deep understanding of quality assurance, federal specifications, progress payment systems and contract closeout procedures. My roles supporting the Federal Highway Administration required me to review construction contract records, perform detailed Quality Assurance (QA) reviews, reconcile project documentation and communicate findings clearly to the construction support team. I had to level up my performance by taking on several tasks simultaneously, learning complex systems and consistently meeting deadlines across multiple active contracts. Those experiences built both my confidence and capabilities.

Q: Do you have a special mentor that has influenced your career? How do you hope to make a lasting impact on the construction industry?

I’ve been fortunate to work with leaders who modeled professionalism and helped me grow, from reviewing detailed contract claims to drafting final payment packages and organizing project systems to meet federal compliance standards.

 I want to help build a future where our work continues to strengthen the communities around us and provide meaningful careers.

I believe that this year’s theme, “Level Up. Build Strong.” serves as a reminder that every project, every inspection and every contract review is an opportunity to strengthen something bigger than ourselves. When women lead in construction and support the bigger initiative, we strengthen:

• Communities, by improving the safety and reliability of transportation networks.
• Careers, by opening doors for others and raising the standards of practice.
• Futures, by ensuring the next generation inherits infrastructure and an industry that is better than what we found.

We are building more than bridges and tunnels. We are building possibility, and that might be the ultimate level up.

Leading with Quality, Inspiring Confidence

Aaron Hisel-Ritz
Quality Assurance Project Manager

Q: Can you recall a specific moment or project outcome that reminded you your work directly benefits the community?

One moment that clearly reminded me my work directly benefits the community was during the completion of the SR 99 bridge. It was the final structure I served on as the lead field inspector, and although it appeared to be a relatively modest piece of infrastructure, its purpose was significant. The bridge was built nearly at grade so that a future project could excavate beneath it to complete the SR 509 expressway connection from Interstate 5 to SeaTac Airport.

Standing on that completed structure, I realized that our work on this single bridge would support not only the new rail line, but also a future regional highway connection that will reduce congestion, improve safety and shorten travel times for thousands of people every day. Seeing how this one element would unlock two major transportation improvements made the contribution feel very real and reminded me of the lasting value our work delivers to the community.

Leading with Purpose

Aaron’s leadership is hands-on and built around efficiency. On the Federal Way project, he streamlined reporting and documentation workflows, accelerating response times and enabling more agile decision-making, helping keep the team on schedule while maintaining quality standards.

Q: Can you estimate how your process improvement helped improve coordination between three contractor teams?

Although our systems evolved throughout the project, we were able to estimate meaningful improvements from the scheduling process overhaul. When we assumed responsibility for the daily inspection schedule, the existing method of capturing updates wasn’t as effective as it could be.

I worked with the prime contractor to implement a formal inspection request system that required production teams to submit next-day needs. This enabled us to generate a consolidated, accurate schedule that was distributed to the owner, contractors and all jurisdictions with inspection authority.

As a result, we reduced schedule conflicts by an estimated 60 to 70 percent, cut daily schedule preparation time by more than half and significantly improved transparency for all parties. The new system ultimately became the governing daily schedule for the entire project and materially improved coordination between the owner, contractors and the quality team.

This focus on improving processes has been a constant throughout his career. Earlier on a major airport runway replacement, Aaron developed clearer sampling and testing methods that made results easier to apply in the field, changes that still inform project quality processes today.

His technical expertise spans specialized areas like post-tensioned concrete, masonry and shotcrete inspection — skills he’s built through continuous professional development and industry certifications that keep him at the forefront of quality assurance practices.

Investing in Others

Aaron’s greatest professional achievement isn’t a project milestone or a technical innovation. It’s watching the people he mentored step into leadership roles of their own. Many of the inspectors he’s coached have advanced into project management and supervisory positions, carrying forward the same approach to quality and collaboration he modeled for them.

On every project, Aaron promotes cross-training and teamwork to ensure that quality isn’t just managed but shared.

Q: What advice do you give to new inspectors starting their first major assignment?

My advice to new inspectors starting their first major assignment centers on three principles.

1. Do not be afraid to say you do not know.
   No one arrives with all the answers, especially on a large and complex project. The strongest inspectors are the ones who ask questions, seek clarification and use the knowledge of others to make sound decisions. Admitting uncertainty and requesting support is a sign of professionalism, not weaknes2.

1. Protect your integrity at all times.
   Our work relies on trust, transparency and accountability. Mistakes will occur, but what matters is how you respond. Be honest about what happened, communicate early and take corrective action. Consistent integrity will earn the respect of contractors, engineers and owners

1. Stay curious and continually expand your understanding.
   Pay attention to how the work is built, not just to the portion you are inspecting. Ask why something is done a certain way. Look for opportunities to improve processes or communication. When you try something new and it does not work perfectly, treat it as progress toward a better solution. Persistence and curiosity are what drive meaningful improvements in our field.

The best part of my job is seeing people gain confidence in what they do. When someone you’ve coached starts leading others, that’s a great feeling.

Grounded in Community

Outside of work, Aaron serves as a volunteer leader with his son’s Boy Scout troop, guiding young people through outdoor challenges, skill development and community service projects. The parallels to his professional life are unmistakable: setting clear expectations, building confidence through hands-on experience and teaching others to take ownership of their work.

Q: What about scouting resonates most with you? Any moment with the Scouts that feels similar to leading inspection teams?

What resonates most with me about scouting is how effectively it teaches foundational life skills. The Scout Law contains twelve simple words, but they represent a complete framework for how to conduct yourself. I rely on those principles every day in my professional work, especially when leading inspection teams.

Another element that stands out is the merit badge program. It introduces scouts to a wide range of subjects and requires them to develop a working understanding of each topic before they can advance. This structure reinforces curiosity, self-discipline and goal setting. It also shows young people the value of learning something new, even if it feels unfamiliar at first.

I see a strong parallel between guiding scouts through challenges and supporting new inspectors in the field. In both situations, you help others build confidence, develop practical skills and learn how to take responsibility for their decisions. Watching people grow into capable, reliable contributors is one of the most rewarding parts of both experiences.

Whether guiding scouts or inspection teams, Aaron leads by example: steady, supportive and driven by purpose. His work with the troop mirrors his professional focus on developing leadership and accountability, values he hopes to model for his son.

A Legacy of Quality and Leadership

Throughout his career on light rail, highway and airport projects across the Seattle region, Aaron has demonstrated that quality isn’t just about compliance. It’s about care, communication and continuous improvement. His work strengthens infrastructure and the teams and communities that depend on it.

Q: What motivates you to keep raising the bar for quality and team performance?

What motivates me to keep raising the bar for quality and team performance is the pride I take in the culture we have built. Our team has worked hard to establish trust, transparency and collaboration with one another, with the contractors in the field and with the owner’s representatives. That level of trust is not automatic. It is earned through consistent follow-through, clear communication and a shared commitment to doing the job the right way.

I also believe that continuous improvement is part of our responsibility. The work will never be perfect, but if we see an opportunity to strengthen our processes, reduce risk or support the project more effectively, we should pursue it. Knowing that our efforts directly influence project success and reflect on the integrity of the team is what pushes me to keep raising the standard.

Our job is to make sure what we build lasts. That takes consistency, trust and a genuine respect for the work and for the people doing it.

Inside the A-Team: The People of Atlas

Leadership is more than a title. It’s dedication to making a meaningful impact. Inside the A-Team spotlights the professionals at Ұ����Ƶapp who drive progress, inspire others and embody our core values. Their commitment to Life enhances the world around us by prioritizing quality and safety. With Heart, they uplift those around them. With Trust, they build strong teams and lasting partnerships and their Mastery fuels innovation and excellence. These are the people shaping the future, and we are proud to share their stories.

On Saturday, December 6, Seattle’s regional transit system reached a major milestone with the completion of the (FWLE) — largest design-build project to date.

Ahead of opening day, months of pre-revenue testing helped prepare the new light rail system for reliable service. Running trains without passengers allowed teams to validate performance, coordinate systems and fine-tune operations — helping create a smooth and confident start for riders.

Hundreds of people participated in the grand opening celebrations, attending the cultural activities, exhibits and entertainment at each of the new stations. In partnership with Sound Transit, Ұ����Ƶapp is proud to have contributed to the delivery of this important expansion — part of a broader vision (F200 link extension) to build a 252-mile regional light rail network connecting communities across three counties.

Expanding Access Across the Region

The FWLE adds 7.8 miles of light rail service, extending the line from Angle Lake Station to Federal Way.  

With three new stations — Kent Des Moines, Star Lake and Downtown Federal Way — the expansion strengthens connections across South Puget Sound, offering a faster, more reliable way to reach the airport, workplaces and community destinations.

By improving mobility and reducing travel time, the project supports a more connected region and enhances everyday access for residents and visitors alike.

Supporting Quality from Start to Finish

Ұ����Ƶapp teams played a key role in supporting quality throughout project delivery — from early utility coordination to final system readiness.

In the early stages, efforts included coordination tied to major infrastructure elements such as waterline relocation. As the project progressed toward completion, the focus shifted to quality assurance and readiness activities that helped bring the system to opening day.

Together with Sound Transit, Ұ����Ƶapp supported the project through a multidisciplinary approach spanning quality, environmental, engineering and survey services. Over the course of the program, teams completed an estimated 40,000 inspections, helping maintain consistency and alignment across complex construction activities.

On peak construction days, that effort required significant coordination — completing dozens of hold point inspections and multiple concrete placements in a single day, supported by a team of inspectors and technicians working across the project footprint. Ұ����Ƶapp’ Quality Assurance team also coordinated with dozens of contractors, subcontractors, agencies and local jurisdictions, helping keep work moving forward in a highly collaborative environment.

The scale of construction required equally significant materials oversight. Ұ����Ƶapp teams supported approximately 163,000 cubic yards of concrete placement, along with the testing of more than 37,000 concrete cylinders to verify performance and quality throughout the build.

This continuity across phases — and the ability to scale with the project — helped maintain alignment across teams, contributing to a delivery experience grounded in consistency, collaboration and attention to detail.

Built for Communities

Transit investments like the FWLE are ultimately about connection — linking people to opportunity, reducing congestion on key corridors like I-5 and creating more reliable options for how communities move.

With expanded light rail access, residents can spend less time in traffic and more time where it matters most — whether that’s work, home or the places that bring communities together.

Chicago Transit Authority Red and Purple Line Modernization Project

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is investing in a more resilient and efficient transportation system with its $2.1 billion (RPM)—one of the largest transit investments in the agency’s history. The project includes replacing four century-old stations along Chicago’s busiest transit corridor with larger facilities that are ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. The new stations feature wider platforms, better lighting, improved security, real-time information boards, more reliable train service, less crowded trains and platforms and a more aesthetically pleasing environment for pedestrians.

As part of the Walsh-Fluor Design-Build team, Ұ����Ƶapp provided civil engineering services, including roadway design, traffic maintenance, signal design, utility coordination, drainage design, site layouts, and grading, as well as electrical and lighting design.

“Every day, millions of Chicagoans rely on the city’s transit system to get where they need to go. Supporting our long-time client, Ұ����Ƶapp was proud to collaborate with CTA on delivering a safer, more reliable transit system,” said Tom Price, Ұ����Ƶapp Infrastructure President. “Sustainability, preservation, and innovation were woven into every decision made, resulting in a project that truly honors Chicago’s past, while building a resilient, efficient transit future.”

Building a modern transit system

Construction on Phase One began in 2019 and included updates on two major areas—the and the (LBMM) section. With millions of passengers relying on the Red Line every year, updating these lines was critical to making CTA’s transit system more reliable and efficient.

In 2021, CTA celebrated the completion of the Red Purple Bypass. This milestone allowed northbound Brown Line trains to pass over Red and Purple Line tracks—eliminating a critical bottleneck and allowing for more frequent service.

CTA hit another major milestone in 2025 with the completion of the LBMM portion of the project, which involved reconstructing four stations and replacing all elevated track and support structures along 1.3 miles of the Red Line.

Working within one of the nation’s most spatially constrained urban corridors presents unique challenges. Ұ����Ƶapp helped CTA employ highly adaptive planning strategies to overcome numerous complexities throughout this project. To keep trains running on time, our team utilized creative solutions to sequence construction and implement temporary systems, including two fully functional temporary stations that served the public for years before the final stations were finished. Ұ����Ƶapp’ team even helped relocate a century-old building to allow critical track realignment—a decision that demonstrated thoughtful engineering and respect for the city’s architectural heritage.

“Together with CTA and our industry partners, Ұ����Ƶapp designed every element of construction planning to reduce inconvenience and minimize disruption to people’s daily routines,” added Price. “Ұ����Ƶapp is proud to have contributed to this landmark project that will be utilized by millions of passengers in the years to come.”

Working collaboratively with CTA, our team contributed to this massive transit line upgrade through:

• Roadway and alley rehabilitation: Ұ����Ƶapp designed plans for all impacted streets and alleys within the project limits and reconstructed all impacted sidewalks to meet Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) standards with ADA compliant ramps at all temporary and permanent locations.
• Collaborative planning and permitting: Ұ����Ƶapp was responsible for all utility coordination on the project, including identifying potential conflicts early in the design-build process. By maintaining regular contact with utilities throughout the project, Ұ����Ƶapp made proactive communication and coordination a top priority. Our team worked extensively with Walsh-Flour to facilitate communication with the Department of Buildings, CDOT, and the Office of Underground Coordination to keep the project running smoothly.
• Digital and technical knowledge: Ұ����Ƶapp’ modeling experts created and maintained a dynamic digital terrain model for all surface drainage, roadway vertical geometry and ADA design grades. Our design included extensive OpenRoads work—driving efficiencies and schedule. Ұ����Ƶapp was an early adopter of OpenRoads software to create dynamic 3-D models.
• Enhanced safety and lighting: With a deep understanding of CTA’s and CDOT’s requirements, Ұ����Ƶapp designed all exterior lighting for the RPB and LBMM sections, as well as power feeds for relay houses, aesthetic lighting, and temporary and permanent lighting for station facades.
• Creative drainage solutions: Ұ����Ƶapp designed the Stormwater Management Plan, incorporating CTA’s requirements for collecting and storing runoff. Infiltration trenches and storage tanks were utilized, which eliminated surface runoff contributing to the city sewer system.
• Collaborative construction delivery: Ұ����Ƶapp coordinated with Walsh-Fluor, Stantec, and associated subconsultants to coordinate timing on the overall sequence of design packages.

At a glance

CTA’s Phase One investment, one of the largest design-build projects undertaken by CTA

When this corridor was first built, making it one of the oldest in the CTA system

Built with modern architecture and ADA accessibility features

Historically significant Vautravers building moved for track realignment

Source Whoosh | Whoosh cabin controlled through an app.

Source WordlessTech | The Archer Midnight eVTOL Air Taxi.

Source SFGate | Geary Boulevard intersection in San Francisco.

Source Brightline West | Brightline West high-speed rail connecting Las Vegas and Southern California.

Source EPA | The Allied Textile Printing site

Source Multi-Housing News | The opening of Stone Mill Lofts in Massachusetts.

Source The Verge | EVgo charging station