From highway to bridge surveys, no two days are the same for Survey Technician Chris Jeffrey. Based in Braintree, Massachusetts, Chris plays a key role in collecting data for infrastructure projects across Massachusetts. In part one of his blog, he shares a glimpse into his day-to-day work surveying some of the region’s busiest bridges.
What does your day-to-day look like?
Working with our Braintree team, I enjoy a mix of preparation and problem solving and having something new to figure out. On some days in the field I setup traverses and turn angles, establish baselines, and collect control points for bridge and highway projects. Other times I perform topographic surveys or inverts, where I’ll walk the site, grid-off the limits, and gather detailed measurements.
Describe a technical project challenge.
Two come to mind. During night work for the Zakim Memorial Bridge in Boston, our Dawood crew coordinated lane closures, established control, and documented existing conditions. Using Trimble technology, we collected data for mobile LiDAR target locations.
For the Chelsea Street Bridge north of Boston, we measured how the drawbridge operated. Our Dawood survey team traversed across the bridge and took laser shots on the pier when it was closed and fully open, because our client wanted to improve how fast the bridge could open and close. Those measurements fed a computer model to show exactly how the elevation changed in real time. It was one of those jobs where you have to stay focused and doublecheck every setup, especially working overnight on an active structure.
Stay tuned for part two of Chris’ blog discussing his project and safety synergy.