by
Shift San Diego
| Jan 31, 2019
Interview with Adrian Cortez, Gilman Drive Bridge Resident Engineer/Construction Engineer Manager
Q: How long have you worked for Caltrans? What led you to pursue a career in construction management? What projects do you currently oversee?
AC: Just last month, I hit my 20-year anniversary as a bridge engineer with Caltrans in the Structure Construction division. What originally led me to pursue a career in construction as a resident engineer is the opportunity to make a positive impact with projects that affect the traveling public. I really enjoy my work, and I like that as engineers for the state, we are public servants.
As a resident engineer, we are responsible for delivering the project on schedule, ideally even when unexpected delays or construction issues may arise. I find project management extremely rewarding – when I meet the budget, help keep the contractor on schedule, and collaborate with colleagues and the contractor to problem solve, it gives me a sense of fulfillment. It’s also really important that we, as taxpayers, are getting an excellent product that will last for generations.
We are about to wrap up a major 25-month bridge project that I’ve been a lead on: the Gilman Drive Bridge. So at present, I’m beginning a new project as the structure representative for a section of the light rail from La Jolla Colony Drive to Nobel Drive that has shotcrete walls, a cut-and-cover tunnel, and two small bridges.
Read the full interview to learn more about the Gilman Drive Bridge and the intricacies of bridge construction.