Resident Engineer

Key takeaways from AASHTO Committee on Bridges and Structures: Navigating overweight vehicle movement in urban areas. August 5, 2026 As the nation's capital, Washington, DC, presents a uniquely complex transportation and infrastructure environment. The region must accommodate a diverse range of users, including residents, commuters, tourists, government agencies and commercial operators, all of whom place varying demands on the transportation network. These demands are further complicated by the movement of commercial freight, federal and security-related vehicles, and large-scale ceremonial and special events that require careful traffic and load management. Adding to these challenges is the District's extensive inventory of historic bridges and structures. Many of these assets were designed under earlier engineering standards and feature complex structural systems that require specialized evaluation to accurately assess their load-carrying capacity. Preserving these critical structures while ensuring public safety and maintaining mobility requires innovative engineering approaches and data-driven decision-making. At the 2026 AASHTO Committee on Bridges and Structures Annual Meeting, EXP's Senior Director of Structures and Bridge, Morteza Rahimi Abkenar, PhD, PE, joined Kamal Elnahal, PhD, PE, and Hongting Zhao, PE, of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), to discuss the challenges and solutions associated with managing overweight vehicle traffic in constrained urban environments. The presentation highlighted strategies used to balance infrastructure preservation, operational needs and transportation efficiency, while addressing the unique challenges posed by Washington, DC's historic bridge network and densely developed urban landscape. Permit evaluation processes and solutions To support the safe movement of goods, equipment and specialized vehicles throughout the District, DDOT issues permits for oversize and overweight vehicle travel, often requiring detailed engineering evaluations to verify that bridges, tunnels and other transportation assets can safely accommodate the proposed loads. As a trusted partner to DDOT, EXP plays a central role in this process by providing rapid, data-driven structural assessments that help balance infrastructure preservation with operational needs. EXP's streamlined evaluation approach enables timely permit reviews, often under accelerated schedules, by screening vehicle configurations, identifying affected assets along proposed routes and assessing available structural capacity information. When a permit request exceeds established thresholds, EXP performs detailed structural analyses to determine whether the vehicle can be safely accommodated and, when appropriate, recommends operational controls such as speed restrictions, designated travel times, escort requirements or alternative routes. EXP's partnership with DDOT on transportation projects EXP is proud to partner with DDOT in preserving and enhancing the safety, reliability and resiliency of Washington, DC's transportation infrastructure. Serving as a trusted engineering advisor, EXP provides specialized structural expertise to help DDOT address the unique challenges associated with managing critical transportation assets in a densely developed urban environment that includes historic bridges, high traffic volumes and complex operational demands. From evaluating overweight and oversize vehicle movements to supporting bridge rehabilitation and construction activities, EXP delivers responsive and innovative engineering solutions that help DDOT meet evolving transportation challenges. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to maintaining safe, efficient and durable transportation systems that serve residents, visitors, businesses and federal agencies throughout the nation's capital. Some of EXP's services in support of DDOT include: * Load rating and structural capacity evaluations for bridges and transportation structures. * Fast-tracking oversize and overweight haul permit evaluations. * Bridge rehabilitation design, retrofit and strengthening solutions. * Construction engineering and inspection support. * Asset management and technical documentation support to inform maintenance, rehabilitation and capital planning decisions.

EXP promotes Aram ebben to Vice President, strengthening global Lighting Design capabilities. Orlando, FL - Orlando, FL - EXP, a global engineering, architecture, design and consulting firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of Aram C. Ebben, FIALD, CLD, LEED AP, to Vice President, Lighting Design. In this new role, Aram will partner with clients to elevate the lighting design experience across markets, bringing together creativity, technical rigor and integrated delivery to support award-winning and impactful projects. With more than three decades of experience, Aram is recognized as a trusted advisor who builds high-performing teams and helps clients solve complex design challenges - delivering distinctive environments that perform. "EXP is committed to scaling specialized services to meet our clients' evolving needs," said EXP's President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Dvorak, PE. "Aram's expertise in uniting engineering, architecture and lighting design further solidifies our position as a global multidisciplinary leader. We are confident Aram and his team will build on their momentum and deliver award-winning lighting design that shapes places people remember." Previously serving as EXP's Director, Lighting Design, Aram has been involved in widely recognized projects including Ferrari World, Indigenous Peoples Experience, LEGOLAND, Al Bidda Park/Doha Grand Park, King Abdullah Financial and the CTA Washington/Wabash Elevated Station. His team's work is defined by outcomes - enhanced guest experiences, meeting client's operational goals and the delivery of visually compelling environments. With a mission to understand, innovate, partner and deliver, EXP provides engineering, architecture, design and consulting services to the world's built and natural environments. Its heritage dates back to 1906, when the earliest of EXP's predecessor companies started its engineering infrastructure practice. Since then, Edison Report has grown into a full-service, multidisciplinary firm delivering projects and solutions to clients and communities around the world. Today, thousands of creative professionals across EXP work together to deliver extraordinary experiences year after year.