(October 19, 2010) – Today, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) hosted its annual Construction and Engineering Career Day at the Frederick County Fairgrounds.  Nearly 400 Frederick County high school students participated in today’s activities.  In partnership with the Maryland Quality Initiative (MdQI), this annual event is held to promote and encourage students to focus on mathematic and critical thinking skills – the foundations needed to pursue careers in civil engineering and construction.

SHA and industry partners led rotating bus tours near the I-70/MD 85 interchange – a $105 million project that provides direct access to the city of Frederick and a new ridesharing lot, replaces bridges within the interchange and enhances stormwater management facilities.  Students also visited the Lafarge Quarry, the Superior Concrete Plant and the R.F. Kline Plant where they were able to tour plant operations. 

After the tour, students returned to the fairgrounds and learned about engineering at various work stations and displays.  SHA construction and highway design engineers, maintenance personnel and partnering firms shared their experiences and analyses of different career fields with students.

“Working in the construction and engineering fields provides great career and learning opportunities for students,” said Gregory Welker, Deputy Administrator/Chief Engineer of Operations and MdQI Co-Chairman.  “Hopefully today’s event will spark their interest and encourage them toward strengthening their skills and ultimately lead to careers in these fields.”

MdQI, a consortium of public highway agencies and industry associations, celebrates years of excellence in developing top quality highway construction projects within Maryland.  Highway design consultants and construction contractors participating in MdQI commit to exceed minimum performance standards and provide high-quality products and services. 

Hosts of this year’s Career Day include: Maryland State Highway Administration; Lafarge North America; R.F. Kline and Superior Concrete.  Sponsors include: Johnson, Miriman & Thompson (JMT); Rummer Klepper & Kahl (RK&K); Whitman, Requardt & Associates; AECOM Technology Corporation; Chaney Enterprises; A. Morton Thomas & Associates, Inc.; Development Facilitators, Inc.; Gannett Fleming; Gray & Son, Inc.; Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.; KCI Technologies; RJM Engineering Inc.; STV Incorporated; Wallace Montgomery & Associates and Whitney, Bailey, Cox & Magnani (WBCM). 

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