Octa's transportation blog

Learning about Transportation during a Day with OCTA

For two weeks each year, the Transportation Academy immerses undergraduate and graduate students in different facets of the transportation industry including management, finance, operations and planning, as well as engineering, construction management and public involvement principles/processes. The program is hosted by WTS (Women’s Transportation Seminar), an international organization dedicated to the professional advancement of women in transportation. OCTA and other area industry organizations use the Transportation Academy as an opportunity to educate and attract the next generation of transportation professionals.

During a half day with OCTA on August 9, the 19 students networked with executives and managers, learned about projects, and became the first members of the public to set foot on a newly constructed bridge.

The morning began with presentations by Darrell Johnson, CEO, Christina Byrne, Capital Projects Outreach Manager, Adriann Cardoso, Capital Programming Manager, Rose Casey, Highway Programs Director, and Kelly Hart, Project Manager, Rail Programs & Facilities Engineering, followed by a 30-minute roundtable discussion.

After suiting up in hard hats and safety vests, students explored the Avenido Pico bridge in San Juan Capistrano, where they witnessed construction and interacted with engineers. The bridge work is part of the I-5 South Improvements Project, a four-year, $230 million project to improve nearly six miles between Avenida Pico in San Clemente and San Juan Creek Road in San Juan Capistrano. The project is funded by Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation projects.

Throughout the program, the students asked many questions about OCTA’s relationship with Caltrans, funding, lobbying Washington, construction materials and techniques, and strategies about working with the public.