Introduction
I spoke with Joey Lundquist to get the scoop on our roadway system. Joey has extensive experience in the transportation engineering industry. Joey, who is currently a civil engineer with Rani Engineering, LLC was a project manager and design engineer at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for 18-1/2 years. During that time, Joey was involved with over 100 MnDOT projects.
Question 1
Q: Where is the biggest challenge to improving our roads?
A: Funding. It’s hard to address all concerns without the funds. We need an increase in funding that is long-term and reliable such as gas tax funding and car license tabs. Legislators often give additional short-term funds which also help.
Question 2
Q: What needs the most attention with our roadway system?
A: Maintenance of the worst roads and bridges, along with getting rid of “bottlenecks” and managing traffic congestion.
Question 3
Q: What is your biggest traffic pet peeve?
A: Distracted drivers (very dangerous)!
Question 4
Q: What has been your favorite project relating to traffic challenges?
A: After the collapse of I-35W Mississippi River Bridge, we had to come up with ways to make traffic flow better in a matter of days and weeks. It was an interesting time to be an engineer. We knew it was critical to maintain traffic flows that were changing, so we modified shoulders and re-striped to add new lanes in some places, and modified interchanges.
Question 5
Q: What are you most excited about with the future of roadways?
A: The CAV-X (Connected and Automated Vehicles) project on 394 will install monitoring equipment that will communicate with your car to tell you there is a traffic situation coming up.
I hope you enjoyed the interview with Joey as much as I did. To learn more about more about Joey, please visit: https://ranieng.com/minneapolis-engineering-firm/expertise/.
