The Sixth Street Viaduct Replacement is an enormous project in Los Angeles. But no matter the size of a structure, construction always comes down to the details. No one understands that better than Quality Control Inspector Lori McKee.
On RMA Group, Inc. projects all across Los Angeles, Lori does everything from analyzing soil to checking bolts to inspecting all aspects of structural steel. For this project, she has monitored the "mix design" of concrete pours for the Y-Bents. That means Lori is charged with taking samples and making sure the concrete mixture maintains the proper water ratio throughout the pour.
"It's about all the little details," Lori says of her job.
Before starting a career in construction, Lori worked in management at a hospital. When the facility went through renovations and a new patient tower was constructed, Lori found herself fascinated by the building process. Soon after, she connected with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12 and eventually began working in this new field. Now her job lets her spend time outdoors and, Lori says of another perk, she doesn't have to worry about her hair because it's usually under a hard hat.
Lori grew up in nearby Boyle Heights, so she was very familiar with the original Sixth Street Bridge before starting on this project. She looks forward to driving over the completed structure and telling her kids that she helped to update this historic location.
In the construction of the new viaduct, Lori's contributions are certainly an important detail.
Lori McKee
