Laura Rios

Plan Reviewer

Texas Department of Transportation

06.2014 - 06.2018

Provided technical expertise and coordination for transportation programs involving design, building construction projects, traffic operations, maintenance of highways and facilities, or bridge inspection and appraisal in accordance with Department standards and policies
Assisted with project planning, prioritization, and the development of policies and procedures for three counties, from design to implementation
Assisted with oversight of upcoming construction projects and informed City/County officials of the upcoming proposed work, proposed traffic control, and right of way acquisitions
Attended project and administrative meetings
Provided update presentations at/to Commission Meetings, City Managers, City Councils, and the Local Govt.'s regarding the Alice Area Office active and upcoming projects
Assisted with City/County issues, complaints, or requests
Performed design engineering work simultaneously on multiple projects and/or project tasks with general supervision
Developed roadway design/details in compliance with applicable TxDOT design standards, manuals and procedures
Calculated plan quantities
Developed SW3P sheets
Developed Engineer's project cost estimates
Developed PS&E packages and contracts for state and federal projects
Ensured compliance with applicable federal and state laws, guidelines, procedures, standards, and policies
Designed and planned preparation in a timely manner to meet the project schedule and established milestones
Organized electronic and hard-copy design computations and correspondence for all assigned projects
Performed maintenance activity support to three Maintenance Sections
Assisted Maintenance Sections with engineering support in matters involving drainage issues/complaints, property owner complaints, routine maintenance contracts, right of way, signage and striping issues, etc
Project Manager for Area Office Routine Maintenance Projects
Reviewed Daily Work Reports on a daily/weekly basis
Created and processed contract change orders
Observed and inspected ongoing project activities
Conducted Preconstruction meetings as assigned and assisted with conducting meetings and safety briefs
Assisted with project inspection as deemed necessary
Updated and coordinated 4-YR Preventative Maintenance Plan with Area Office Maintenance Supervisors
Created and updated maintenance critical path schedules for seal coat preparation
Reviewed and executed monthly guardrail, mowing, and striping work orders for Area Office Maintenance Sections
Updated Area Office Maintenance Budgets, schedules, and relayed information to District Maintenance Office for Budget Tracking on a bi-weekly/monthly basis
Access Permit Coordinator
Processed, reviewed, and executed residential and commercial driveway permits within a reasonable amount of time depending on their complexity
Performed construction project engineering, management and inspection
Oversaw the inspection of projects and coordinated inspector assignments to ensure quality work performed was such that all projects were built according to plans General Notes, and Specifications
Visited projects at a minimum of once per week
Managed HMA QC/QA data for assigned projects
Conducted Preconstruction meetings, as assigned
Assisted with conducting meetings and safety briefs
Provided guidance and solutions to problems/issues that transpired during a construction project
Reviewed project construction schedules to ensure compliance with TxDOT specification and provided comments/redlines to the Contractor, as deemed necessary
Identified change orders, negotiated with the contractor, processed, and executed them in a timely fashion and/or as required by the urgency of the situation
Performed internal final project inspections
Project manager for two zero deficiency construction projects
Informed customers (contractor, internal, PIO, public media, external, City officials, etc.) in a professional and courteous manner prior to new construction or with any project updates
Maintained a professional relationship between contractors, subordinates, supervisors, and peers
Assisted with oversight of construction project recordkeeping for the Alice Area Office
Construction records were routinely reviewed and audited to ensure individual project records were in compliance with Area Office, Site Manager, and TxDOT's guidelines and policies
Ensured that Site Manager records were reviewed/maintained by individual project inspectors
Routinely coordinated with Area Office record-keepers to ensure accurate and timely estimates
Reviewed contractor's correspondence and/or inquiries
Monitored material testing requirements and reports to ensure compliance with plans, General Notes, Specifications, and Standards in accordance with Area Office, District, and Site Manager guidelines
Assisted with overseeing TxDOT Summer Intern hires with on the job training and knowledge development
Assisted with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts in affected areas in the Coastal Bend
Assisted Karnes City Area Office with Construction and Maintenance contract Change Orders for a short period of time under the interim Area Engineer
Assisted with traffic control layouts/traffic control for the NAS-Air Show for Kingsville
Assisted with the preservation of historic truss bridge, Sulphur Creek Bridge, in Live Oak County in partnership with the City of Three Rivers, Texas Historic Commission, and Live Oak County.