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As the industry evolves, it's crucial to rethink how we tackle our infrastructure and transportation projects. Secretary for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Roger Millar, joins InfraTalk Publisher, Gregory Nadeau, on this episode of the InfraTalk Podcast. As an engineer, planner, and program manager with over 40 years of experience, Millar brings a well-rounded perspective to his role.

Listen in as they discuss:- Washington State’s history of delivering major infrastructure projects,- Resiliency and the ability to prepare for the challenges and obstacles ahead,- And Millar's recent experience and term as AASHTO president.

This interview was recorded at the 2023 AASHTO Annual Meeting and is part of our ‘InfraTalk On The Road’ series.

An equitable transportation network is vital to the future of our industry and, more importantly, our country. In this episode of the InfraTalk Podcast, National Agency Coordination Leader for Transportation and Infrastructure at WSP, Dr. Shawn Wilson, sits down with InfraTalk America Publisher and Host, Greg Nadeau. Wilson’s impressive career has included his role as former secretary for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, as well as serving as the first African American president in AASHTO’s 107-year history. It is important to note that this episode was recorded the day after the Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore.Listen in as they discuss:


The building blocks that led to Shawn’s extensive career in Louisiana State Government,
The importance of equity and diversity in the transportation sector,
And the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s role in ensuring that our transportation system serves every American.

This special episode of the InfraTalk Podcast is brought to you during Women’s History Month and celebrates our ‘Women Leading Innovation’ series. Melissa Batula is a principal program manager for HDR and former executive deputy secretary for Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. In her 30 years of transportation infrastructure experience, she's been an active member in associations such as WTS, Transportation Research Board and AASHTO. Batula is an expert in the industry and advocates for innovative practices, digital delivery, and public-private partnerships.



Listen in as they discuss:- The goals behind PennDOT's Digital Delivery Directive 2025 initiative,- The ongoing payback of digital project delivery,- And recruiting the workforce of tomorrow.



This interview was recorded at the 2023 AASHTO Annual Meeting as part of our ‘InfraTalk On The Road’ series.

This special episode of the InfraTalk Podcast is brought to you during Women’s History Month and celebrates our ‘Women Leading Innovation’ series. ITA Publisher Gregory G. Nadeau sits down with Gloria Shepherd, executive director for the Federal Highway Administration. Making history as the first woman and African American to serve in her current position, Shepherd is paving a deep path for others to follow in her footsteps.

Listen in as they discuss:


Shepherd's accomplished academic background and the path that led her professional career to transportation,
The impacts and responsibility that came with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,
The core four: safety, equity, economic prosperity, and climate change,
And reuniting communities separated by infrastructure.

This special episode of the InfraTalk Podcast is brought to you during Women’s History Month and celebrates our ‘Women Leading Innovation’ series. Paula Hammond is a senior vice president for WSP and former secretary for Washington State Department of Transportation. Hammond is an active member of the transportation infrastructure community and has served on multiple boards, including her role as the first woman chair for the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) in their 120-year history. Throughout the course of her exemplary career, she has championed the need for a more diverse workforce, worked to ensure the industry is more equitable, and advanced innovative practices.

Listen in as they discuss:- Breaking glass ceilings as a women in the industry,- How to work together to address workforce challenges,- And cultivating innovation through creativity and risk taking.



This interview was recorded at the 2023 AASHTO Annual Meeting as part of our ‘InfraTalk On The Road’ series.

Digital project delivery includes various innovative solutions that increase project efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Despite these incredible benefits, there is a lot of work that still needs to be done to get these technologies implemented in our nation’s transportation agencies. However, through education, proper funding, and a universal set of open data standards, we have the ability to revolutionize the way we deliver projects. As part of our InfraTalk On The Road series, Publisher Greg Nadeau interviews Trimble’s Director of Strategy for State and Federal Government, Doug Reichard, and Senior Manager for Proposals and Grants, Patrick Holtz, at the 2023 AASHTO Annual Meeting.

Listen in as they discuss:


The Federal Highway Administration’s Advanced Digital Construction Management System Grants;
The role of open data standards in advancing digital project delivery; 
And how utilizing asset lifecycle management brings informed decisions and better, more sustainable outcomes.