I graduated with an MEng in Civil Engineering from Newcastle University in 2023 and joined ROD’s graduate programme that same year. I spent my first 18 months rotating through the technical teams in our Leeds office, and my final six months on the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road Project, which involves an upgrade of the N5 national primary route between Ballaghaderreen and Scramoge in Co Roscommon.
As a member of ROD’s site supervision team, I was responsible for updating site diaries, keeping records of plant and labour, and attending testing and inspections of different works elements of the project, including drainage, pavement, ducting, structures, earthworks and vehicle restraint systems. I worked under the guidance of ROD’s experienced team of resident engineers, who shared their considerable knowledge and experience of highway projects with me.
During my six-month placement, the works on site advanced apace. I was fortunate to see great progress in the construction of many principal structures, including the completion and opening of an overbridge and piling at two of the river bridges. I also saw the installation of precast concrete units for several agricultural underpasses and culverts, and a significant amount of drainage, ducting and pavement works being undertaken. Prior to attending any site works, I made sure to review the relevant design drawings and standard details, which strengthened my appreciation of how designs are constructed.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the project. The weather was surprisingly good, and ROD’s site supervision team, led by Project Resident Engineer Luke Duffy, was hugely supportive, patiently answering my endless questions.
