Paving the Way on International Women in Engineering Day: Making Providence Sidewalks Accessible

In celebration of International Women in Engineering Day, we sat down with our transportation staff engineer, Addie, to learn more about her efforts to transform sidewalks across the capital city of Providence, Rhode Island. Through her leadership on this major ADA compliance project, Addie is helping to improve accessibility for thousands of residents while also navigating a career in a traditionally male-dominated field. We wanted to hear more about the challenges and triumphs of the project – and her personal journey as a woman in engineering.

Hi Addie! Happy International Women in Engineering Day. We’re curious to hear – what does a typical day look like for you on the Providence ADA sidewalk project?

I’m usually on site early in the morning. Since this project is so large, we have two contractor crews working simultaneously to get the work done. I start by checking in with both crews to review their plans for the day – what sections of sidewalk they’re tackling, and whether any concrete pours are scheduled. If they are pouring concrete, I’m on site with them to make sure it’s placed within the required 90-minute window and meets ADA standards. That includes using a level to confirm slopes and cross-slopes are within compliance. It takes a lot of coordination to keep things moving efficiently, but I enjoy it.

It sounds like you’re doing important work. What has been the most rewarding part of the project so far?

Honestly, it’s seeing the meaningful improvements we’re making. Providence is an old city. Many of the sidewalks we remove are deteriorated, inaccessible, and unsafe, especially for residents who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids. We’re replacing them with safe, passable walkways, and that’s been fulfilling. Providence has a large population of people with physical disabilities, and this work helps them move around their city with greater independence.

Have there been any unexpected challenges in the field?

ADA curb ramps are deceptively tricky. We often have to tie into existing sidewalks that were built long before ADA standards existed. That means dealing with inconsistent elevations, curbs that are too low, or tight spaces up against buildings. In those cases, we need to get creative, sometimes redesigning on the fly to make the new ramps compliant while still integrating smoothly with the old infrastructure.

As a woman in engineering, what’s your experience been like on this project?

It took time to earn the trust of some of the field team, especially the superintendent. But I think I’ve proven to the crews that I know what I’m doing. The super has even told me how impressed he is with how quickly I pick things up. Gaining the respect of someone who’s been doing this work for decades, and who maybe wasn’t used to taking direction from a young woman, has been a rewarding part of this experience.

You’ve been with BETA for a few years now. What inspired you to become a transportation engineer in the first place, and what keeps you motivated to work at BETA?

I was always a hands-on kid. I loved LEGOs and building things. In high school, I took AutoCAD classes and instantly knew I wanted to be an engineer. I didn’t even realize that transportation engineering was its own field until I took a transportation course in college and really enjoyed it.

I also find that this job is the perfect blend of fieldwork and office work for me. Right now, I’m in the field about 75% of the time because of how massive this project is, but I’m also helping train other team members so I can transition to more design work in the future. I’ve always learned better by seeing things built in real life, and then applying that knowledge back in the office.

Plus, the people at BETA make a huge difference. I have a boss I look up to as a mentor, and I feel like my contributions are truly valued and appreciated.

What’s the best advice you received as a young woman entering engineering?

Come in with confidence. That’s been the biggest lesson for me this past year, just believing in myself. When you carry yourself with confidence, people take you more seriously. And on the flip side, I think it’s harmful to think everyone has presumptions about you just because you’re a woman engineer. That mindset can create unnecessary tension. In my experience, staying open and focusing on doing good work has served me well.