GDOT Chief Engineer Meg Pirkle: Transportation Speaker Series

Join GTI for this Transportation Speaker Series event, featuring GDOT Chief Engineer Meg Pirkle. Ms. Pirkle will be speaking on the topic of "Interstate 85 Overpass Collapse".

ABSTRACT: Georgia DOT is following an aggressive schedule for replacing the critical sections of I-85 affected by the fire and re-opening the interstate as quickly as possible after the collapse on March 30, 2017. The extent of the fire-related damage necessitates extensive reconstruction activities to ensure the safety of motorists. In addition to the collapsed section on the northbound bridge, Georgia DOT bridge inspectors have determined that adjacent northbound sections and the corresponding southbound sections of I-85 received damage from the fire requiring the replacement of those sections as well. The demolition and reconstruction of the I-85 bridge near Piedmont Road is currently underway.  Georgia DOT is committed to replacing and reopening I-85 by June 15, 2017, returning motorists to one of the main arteries through metro Atlanta approximately 10 weeks after its collapse. Chief Engineer Meg Pirkle will discuss Georgia DOT’s process on the demolition, engineering, design and construction of the replacement I-85 overpass over Piedmont Road.

BIO: Meg Pirkle has served GDOT as the Chief Engineer since January 1, 2015. She is responsible for the Divisions of Engineering, Construction, Operations, Intermodal, and P3/Program Delivery as well as the offices of TIA and Engineering Services. Ms. Pirkle began her career with GDOT in 1989 as an engineering trainee and has served in a variety of roles throughout her career. Her experience consists of Transportation Planning Engineer, State Scheduling Engineer, Assistant Director of Preconstruction, and Executive Assistant to the Chief Engineer, where she was the Program Manager for the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). Prior to being named Chief Engineer, she served as the Director of Operations for three years. Ms. Pirkle earned a Bachelor of Civil Engineering in 1989 from Vanderbilt University and a Masters of Civil Engineering in 1997 from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Georgia.