Professor Leveridge

Highlights:

• Dredging Equipment and Scale: Students were amazed by the sheer size of the dredging equipment, especially the cutter suction dredge, pumps, and control systems. The complexity of the machinery and how it all works together to carry out the dredging process left a lasting impression.

• Work Environment: The crew's unique work schedule—four weeks on, two weeks off—was a point of fascination. Many reflected on the challenges of living on the dredge for extended periods and the sacrifices workers make, which helped emphasize the demanding nature of the job.

• Team Dynamics: The crew's camaraderie stood out, with several comments highlighting the strong sense of teamwork and loyalty among the workers. Some crew members had been with GLDD for decades, which further underscored the company's positive work environment.

• Project Complexity and Planning: The field trip deepened the understanding of the detailed planning that goes into dredging operations. Participants learned about the different dredging methods, environmental considerations, the importance of maintenance, and how unforeseen challenges can affect the operation and timeline of projects.

• Personalized Learning: Many appreciated how the guides provided personal insights into their roles, explaining everything from how the cutter head works to the logistics of anchoring the dredge. Some were particularly fascinated by how quickly crew members could learn to operate such complex machinery.

• Memorable Moments: Highlights of the trip included seeing the dredging equipment up close, walking through the control room, and experiencing the size of the vessel and machinery. The field trip also sparked interest in the dredging industry for some participants, opening up new career possibilities.

• Unique Experiences: For some, the trip was a unique opportunity to learn about heavy civil projects from a different angle, as dredging plays a crucial role in large-scale construction, particularly in marine environments.

Kyleigh Alonso, Texas Aggie Class of '24, was a student of Professor Leveridge's senior Engineering Planning and Estimating course in Fall 2023. During the course, she investigated as a case study the Butt Valley Seismic Modifications project for Plumas County, California.  

After graduation, Kyleigh took a position with Kiewit in Ellicott City, Maryland as a Field Engineer for Kiewit's Tunnel Project. "In partnership with Traylor Bros., [Kiewit is] making significant progress on the Howard County Government Ellicott City North Tunnel Stormwater Conveyance Project in Maryland, a component of the Safe and Sound Plan. This critical infrastructure will protect the area’s homes, businesses and landmarks by reducing the risk of severe flooding. Using a Robbins main beam tunnel boring machine, our team will construct two 160-foot-deep shafts, a 5,800-foot-long tunnel and an outfall structure to connect the tunnel to the Patapsco River. Once complete, the North Tunnel will be capable of moving 26,000 gallons of water per second, safely diverting stormwater underground and away from Main Street. The team’s primary access underground is the mining shaft. Blasting started at the end of 2024, and the shaft collar is nearly ready to resume excavation. If the weather cooperates, [they] expect the North Tunnel to be substantially complete in fall 2027."[1]  

She said in her current role, she is planning the work for the Outfall where the tunnel boring machine will break through. They will build a concrete outfall structure and flap gates to direct the flow of water into the stream. This will require drilling to excavate the rock face and then concrete work to build the structure. Downstream, a concrete apron slab with dissipators will be built to slow the velocity of the water before it enters the stream. Kyleigh is in charge of procurement, workplans, submittals, RFIs, quantity tracking and claiming, and survey.

In addition to her work as a field engineer, Kyleigh is also supporting the environmental quality requirements of the project.  As the Project Environmental Coordinator, Kyleigh is responsible for ensuring SWPPP and other environmental permits are in compliance. Many of these permits are for the Maryland Department of Environment. This required her to become very familiar with the Maryland Code of Regulations in order to best perform inspections based on permits and ensure compliance. Since there is a stream that runs through the site at Papillon and the Patapsco River at the Patapsco Outfall, there is added risk of prohibited discharges impacting the stream and river. 

The reason why Kyleigh chose to work for Kiewit Underground District is because of the impact that the projects have on communities and the positive difference good project work can make. She said, "Not only do I enjoy the work that I do at the Ellicott City North Tunnel due to the technicality of the job and the responsibilities that I have, but I also enjoy forming relationships with the community members and playing a part in keeping Historic Ellicott City a place where locals and visitors can continue making memories."

Kyleigh was recently back in College Station, Texas mentoring the Student Engineers Council of which she had been a member during her tenure in Aggieland, providing support to campus panels, and even made time to discuss the project to this semester's CVEN 473 course. 

[1] Kiewit IG Post 31 March 2025.