Civil Edge

At 14, Bob Pragada was washing dishes in Chicago. Today, he’s the CEO of Jacobs - a $17B engineering powerhouse. His career spans the U.S. Navy, the White House, and one of the biggest acquisitions in the industry’s history. 🚀 How he got there: ✅ Built on resilience – His father was part of JFK’s push to bring top scientists to the U.S. He worked at NASA, contributing to the moon landing effort. ✅ Military leadership – Spent 9 years in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps, rising to Lieutenant Commander and running operations at Camp David for the U.S. President. ✅ Engineering meets business – Transitioned to the private sector, led global operations at Kinetics, then joined Jacobs, where he oversaw the $5B CH2M acquisition - the biggest in the company’s history. Bob’s leadership philosophy? "Be humble, but always with confidence." Now, as CEO, he’s steering Jacobs through growth, innovation, and major industry shifts. And his leadership hasn’t gone unnoticed - he was just named the 2024 Global Leadership Award winner by the US-India Business Council. From washing dishes to leading one of the world’s biggest engineering firms - it’s a story of discipline, opportunity, and knowing when to take the next step. ------- 🔗 Join 2,000+ industry leaders who stay ahead with Civil Edge - your go-to weekly briefing on the biggest projects, trends, and insights in civil engineering. 5-minute reads, zero fluff. 📨 Get it here: https://lnkd.in/ejF2Q9iy 👉 Follow this page for more stories that shape the industry.

A59 Landslip Repairs Complete Ahead of Schedule North Yorkshire’s critical east-west link is back in action! The A59 at Kex Gill has reopened after emergency landslip repairs were completed ahead of schedule, following a New Year’s Day collapse. Local contractor The HACS Group worked tirelessly to remove over 2,000 tonnes of debris, repair the southern bank, install 50m of new drainage channels, and stabilise the area with 100 tonnes of clean stone. Initially expected to reopen on 29th January, the team’s extended hours brought the road back into use on 23rd January, five days early. This reopening is a lifeline for the 13,000 daily users of the A59, a route with national significance. However, it’s a reminder of the fragility of this stretch, which has closed 15 times since 2000 due to landslips. Looking ahead, North Yorkshire Council is pressing on with its £68m realignment project, the council’s largest-ever highways scheme, to permanently bypass this trouble spot. Led by John Sisk & Son Ltd, the project involves constructing a 4km new stretch of road designed to end these disruptive closures for good. Beyond roadworks, the project also includes an impressive environmental effort - 900m of waterways have been diverted, over 1,000 fish relocated, and nesting boxes for bats, owls, and other species installed to protect the area’s biodiversity. A massive congratulations to HACS and North Yorkshire Council for their swift response to the landslip, keeping North Yorkshire moving while the larger realignment takes shape! ----------------------------------------- 🔗 Want stories like this in your inbox? Join 2,000+ engineers and industry leaders who get their weekly dose of Civil Edge, packed with news, trends, and inspiring stories - all in 5 minutes. 📨 Sign up now: https://lnkd.in/ejF2Q9iy Want to see what it’s all about? Check out our latest edition: https://lnkd.in/egT9S2gx

Imagine designing a skyscraper on paper, by hand, one line at a time. Now imagine a piece of software that changed everything. Before AutoCAD, engineering meant rulers, compasses, and stacks of blueprints. A single misstep? Back to the drawing board- literally. Then came the revolution. In December 1982, a California startup launched a product that redefined engineering and design forever. Meet AutoCAD, the brainchild of Autodesk, a company co-founded by John Walker. This wasn’t just a tool - it was a game-changer. 💡 Here’s why: For the first time, engineers, architects, and designers could create precise, scalable designs on a computer screen. No ink smudges. No hours spent redrawing mistakes. Just precision and speed, all at your fingertips. From bridges to skyscrapers, pipelines to tunnels, AutoCAD became the tool for designing the modern world. 🔍 Fun fact: AutoCAD’s name? It’s a blend of "Autodesk" and "CAD" (Computer-Aided Design). And CAD wasn’t just a buzzword - it was the future. 💼 A giant in the industry today: Fast-forward to 2025, and Autodesk isn’t just an industry leader—it’s a global powerhouse. • Revenue: Over $5 billion annually. • Workforce: More than 13,000 employees worldwide. • Reach: Autodesk tools are used in industries ranging from civil engineering to entertainment (yes, your favorite blockbuster might have been designed with Autodesk software!). 🌍 Why it matters: Over four decades later, AutoCAD (and Autodesk’s suite of tools) is still shaping our world. BIM, 3D modeling, cloud collaboration - they set the stage for engineering’s digital transformation. Think of: • The Hoover Dam Bypass. • London’s Crossrail. • Shanghai Tower. AutoCAD wasn’t just a tool in these projects; it was the foundation. 🚀 The lesson for us engineers? Innovation isn’t just about big ideas - it’s about making those ideas accessible to everyone. AutoCAD gave engineers a way to work faster, smarter, and more collaboratively. The challenge for us? Keep pushing boundaries. Keep evolving. Because the next revolution in design could be sitting in your sketchbook - or on your hard drive. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 🔗 Want stories like this in your inbox? Join 2,000+ engineers and industry leaders who get their weekly dose of Civil Edge, packed with news, trends, and inspiring stories - all in 5 minutes. 📨 Sign up now: https://lnkd.in/ejF2Q9iy 👉 Follow this page for inspiring stories like this one!

An engineer who designs bridges and writes poetry? Meet the legend who changed how we see the world. What if engineering wasn’t just about steel, concrete, and numbers? What if it was art? Philosophy? A way to inspire humanity? Enter Ove Arup. Most engineers build bridges. Arup built a legacy. Back in 1970, he did something unheard of for his time - he gave a speech. Not just any speech, but the Key Speech, a vision for how his company and the industry could do better. Not for profit. Not for fame. But to guide the future of engineering with one bold idea: "Engineering can change the world if done with humanity in mind." Let’s pause for a second. A VISIONARY SPEECH? From an engineer? This wasn’t standard operating procedure in the world of construction. Yet Arup wasn’t like anyone else. His philosophy? Total Design. In plain English: architects, engineers, and contractors working together - not in silos. Revolutionary in 1970 (and let's be honest, the industry's collaborative spirit still needs a kick up the backside). 💡 Here’s how it played out: When you walk across the Sydney Opera House or stand under the Centre Pompidou in Paris, you’re witnessing Arup’s ideas come to life. These weren’t just projects; they were collaborations that pushed boundaries. But Arup didn’t just build. He thought deeply. He believed engineering should: • Serve people. • Challenge the status quo. • Leave the world better than we found it. Sounds noble, right? But here’s the kicker: He actually lived it. 🖋️ In his 1970 Key Speech, Arup wrote: "Our work should be interesting and rewarding. Only a job done well, as well as we can do it - and as well as it can be done - is that. We must therefore strive for quality in what we do, and never be satisfied with the second-rate." 📖 So, why does this matter to you? Because Arup’s story isn’t just about bridges or buildings. It’s about thinking bigger. Whether you’re in engineering, business, or life, his legacy is a reminder: Collaboration and creativity win. 🔥 Here’s the challenge: Next time you tackle a project, don’t just ask, “How can I do this?” Ask: “How can I do this better, for everyone?” Arup did. And look where it got him: A name synonymous with innovation, beauty, and humanity. ------- 🔗 Join 2,000+ industry leaders staying informed with Civil Edge, our free weekly newsletter. Get the latest news and insights from the civil engineering world - from groundbreaking projects to industry trends- all in just 5 minutes. 📨 Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/ejF2Q9iy Want to see what it’s all about? Check out our latest edition: https://lnkd.in/egT9S2gx 👉 Follow this page for inspiring stories like this one!

Hammersmith Bridge could stay closed to vehicles until 2035. The 138-year-old landmark has been shut to cars since 2019 due to critical structural issues. While pedestrians and cyclists returned in 2021, repairs are stalled, with costs now estimated at £250 million - driven up by soaring steel prices. Labour MP Fleur Anderson warns that funding disputes between the government, TfL, and Hammersmith Council are dragging the project into a standstill. She’s calling for urgent action to avoid decades of disruption for Londoners. The Department for Transport says funding options are under review.

National Highways Launches £968m Concrete Roads Framework National Highways is kicking off procurement for a £968m framework to reconstruct 644km of concrete roads across England. The six-year contract covers major upgrades in regions like Yorkshire, East Anglia, and the South East, with an emphasis on extending pavement lifespans and reducing environmental impact. The Legacy Concrete Roads Reconstruction (LCRR) framework will include pavement demolition, rebuilding with long-life solutions, and upgrading drainage, signage, and central reserves. Contractors will also need to manage temporary traffic disruptions while keeping sustainability front and centre - concrete recycling and carbon capture reporting are non-negotiables. Previous frameworks delivered by firms like Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and VolkerFitzpatrick Ltd set the bar, including the £65m upgrade of the A11 in Norfolk, completed in 2023. But with bids due by 3pm on 5th March, it’s anyone’s game for this new round. Backed by RIS3 funding (2025–30) and extending into the early RIS4 period, this framework is a rare opportunity to shape England’s strategic road network while driving innovation in sustainable construction. ----------------- 🔗 Join 2,000+ industry leaders staying informed with Civil Edge, our free weekly newsletter. Get the latest news and insights from the civil engineering world - from groundbreaking projects to industry trends- all in just 5 minutes. 📨 Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/ejF2Q9iy Want to see what it’s all about? Check out our latest edition: https://lnkd.in/egT9S2gx

An engineer who designs bridges and writes poetry? Meet the legend who changed how we see the world. What if engineering wasn’t just about steel, concrete, and numbers? What if it was art? Philosophy? A way to inspire humanity? Enter Ove Arup. Most engineers build bridges. Arup built a legacy. Back in 1970, he did something unheard of for his time - he gave a speech. Not just any speech, but the Key Speech, a vision for how his company and the industry could do better. Not for profit. Not for fame. But to guide the future of engineering with one bold idea: "Engineering can change the world if done with humanity in mind." Let’s pause for a second. A VISIONARY SPEECH? From an engineer? This wasn’t standard operating procedure in the world of construction. Yet Arup wasn’t like anyone else. His philosophy? Total Design. In plain English: architects, engineers, and contractors working together - not in silos. Revolutionary in 1970 (and let's be honest, the industry's collaborative spirit still needs a kick up the backside). 💡 Here’s how it played out: When you walk across the Sydney Opera House or stand under the Centre Pompidou in Paris, you’re witnessing Arup’s ideas come to life. These weren’t just projects; they were collaborations that pushed boundaries. But Arup didn’t just build. He thought deeply. He believed engineering should: • Serve people. • Challenge the status quo. • Leave the world better than we found it. Sounds noble, right? But here’s the kicker: He actually lived it. 🖋️ In his 1970 Key Speech, Arup wrote: "Our work should be interesting and rewarding. Only a job done well, as well as we can do it - and as well as it can be done - is that. We must therefore strive for quality in what we do, and never be satisfied with the second-rate." 📖 So, why does this matter to you? Because Arup’s story isn’t just about bridges or buildings. It’s about thinking bigger. Whether you’re in engineering, business, or life, his legacy is a reminder: Collaboration and creativity win. 🔥 Here’s the challenge: Next time you tackle a project, don’t just ask, “How can I do this?” Ask: “How can I do this better, for everyone?” Arup did. And look where it got him: A name synonymous with innovation, beauty, and humanity. ------- 🔗 Join 2,000+ industry leaders staying informed with Civil Edge, our free weekly newsletter. Get the latest news and insights from the civil engineering world - from groundbreaking projects to industry trends- all in just 5 minutes. 📨 Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/ejF2Q9iy Want to see what it’s all about? Check out our latest edition: https://lnkd.in/egT9S2gx 👉 Follow this page for inspiring stories like this one!

Farewell to a Founder: Remembering Tom Carey Tom Carey, one of the founding brothers of Careys, passed away on Tuesday, January 14th, 2025. Alongside his brothers Pat and John, Tom helped build an iconic construction business after emigrating to London from Ireland in 1969. The Carey family’s statement described Tom as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, whose warmth, dry wit, and fond memories left an indelible mark on everyone he met. His passing comes just months after the death of his brother John Carey in September 2024. Why This Matters: The Carey Group isn’t just another construction firm - it’s a family legacy that began with three brothers taking a chance in a new country. Their journey resonates with so many in the construction world: grit, resilience, and a relentless drive to build something meaningful. Tom Carey’s story reminds us that behind every project and company milestone, there are people - leaders who shape not just skylines but the communities and lives around them. Let’s Honour His Legacy We’d love to hear from those who worked with Tom or were inspired by his journey. Share your stories and memories in the comments. What was it like working on a Carey project? Did Tom’s humor or leadership style leave a mark on you? Let’s keep his memory alive by celebrating the values and vision he brought to the industry.

We’ve all been there - using clunky software that feels like it belongs in the last century. Let’s give credit to the tools that just work and help the not-so-great ones improve by sharing constructive feedback in the comments.

✈️ MAG (Airports Group) Gears Up for Major Airfield Upgrades Big changes are taking off at Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands airports. Over the next 8 years, Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is investing in modernising its airfield infrastructure through a major framework announced this week. The Team MAG has partnered with leading contractors and consultants to deliver these upgrades, including: Design consultants: Arup, Jacobs Contractors: VolkerFitzpatrick Ltd, Lagan Aviation & Infrastructure , Dyer & Butler, Allied Infrastructure Management Ltd, and AmcoGiffen. The Projects The framework includes essential work like: - Runway resurfacing - Upgrading airfield lighting systems - Aircraft stand expansions These projects will boost safety, operational efficiency, and capacity across MAG’s three airports, setting the stage for long-term growth in passenger numbers. A Green Approach MAG has also committed to achieving net-zero operations by 2038. By working closely with its partners, the group aims to make its supply chain more sustainable and implement eco-friendly solutions throughout the upgrades. Why It Matters For UK travelers, this means a more efficient and enjoyable airport experience - safer runways, reduced delays, and state-of-the-art facilities. For the aviation industry, MAG’s investment signals confidence in the sector’s future. As one of the UK’s biggest airport operators, MAG’s framework is not just about infrastructure - it’s about setting a new standard for airports nationwide.