Since joining the Project in April of last year, Field Engineer Emily Melkesian has been supervising and monitoring the cable installation described above. While she has previously worked on bridge projects, such as during the addition of express lanes to I-15 in Riverside County, Emily has not encountered a structure quite like the Sixth Street Viaduct before.
Demolition of the original bridge took place not long after Emily began working for Skanska, so she has been tracking the Project for her entire time at the company. Recently, she finally got the chance to join the work herself.
"It's awesome to see everything up close and experience the iconic project first-hand," she says. "Driving to work everyday, you can really see all of the progress coming along."
Emily grew up in the Inland Empire and discovered her interest in engineering at a young age playing with Legos and video games like RollerCoaster Tycoon. She studied civil engineering in college, with an interest in large projects such as tunnels, highways and bridges. "The bigger, the better," she thought.
Before graduating, Emily was able to intern with Skanska and gain invaluable experience. While other types of engineers are focused on design, Emily never wanted to work behind a desk and enjoys being hands-on during the construction process.
Emily Melkesian
