Scott Dillenbeck recently became a part of our FOCUS team as a Senior CAD Designer for Transportation Engineering. Having worked in the past with our Transportation Department Manager, Scott was drawn in by the work atmosphere. “The idea that if we can better ourselves, we can produce better products for our clients was a big motivator,” he revealed. We’re glad to have him!

The Beginning: Technology

Scott’s interest in the field began back in high school, where his drafting courses helped familiarize him with design programs. “I really enjoyed using a computer program to draw or create just about anything,” he divulged.

He now uses those same tools to improve existing intersections and layouts for future use. He is highly proficient in MicroStation and ProjectWise, among other software programs. “Knowing MicroStation inside and out helps us identify the quickest and most efficient way to get the work done,” he said.

The Process: Organization, Communication, and the Big Picture

With 12 years of experience in setting up and maintaining plan sheets, organizing project files and folders, and gathering quantities for item summaries, Scott designs projects very efficiently, with exceptional organization. One well-used tool is his ability to communicate clearly with clients. “Listening to what the client needs allows us to deliver a successful project,” he said.

He and his team work closely with the site/civil group to gather traffic data for or add points of access to developments. He has a thorough understanding of the UDOT design and CADD standards and how they work together to create an accurately finished product. His current projects involve concept studies for UDOT and preparing access lanes for real estate developments, and he is looking forward to expanding into progressively larger projects as FOCUS’s transportation group grows.

The End Result: Safe Travels

His favorite aspect of the job is “watching the process of what we design being constructed and seeing the completed project being used after it has been built.” This is especially true for the Mountain View Corridor from 5400 South to 4100 South, which provides ample opportunity for witnessing usage. Held up by MSE walls, the project demanded over two more miles of roadway added onto the existing highway, along with 20 bridges, two pedestrian bridges, and almost two and a half miles of multi-use trail alongside it.

When asked if he had anything to add, he gave this tangential but brilliant piece of advice: “When cooking a steak on the grill, light the grill on one side while your steak is on the opposite side with no flames. It might take a bit longer to cook, but it will be worth it.”