The Senior Project Manager and Engineer at C.S. Davidson has helped to join communities and unite project stakeholders while building bridges.
A bridge is more than just a span that joins two points. Well-engineered bridges provide a means of connection and community. They bring neighbors together and offer safe passage for motorists and pedestrians. That has been the experience of C.S. Davidson Bridge Engineer and Senior Project Manager Daryl Jurkiewicz, PE.
In his 35 years at C.S. Davidson, Daryl has overseen bridge projects throughout Pennsylvania that impact the communities they join, including a current project he’s working on in Adams-Ricci Community Park in Enola.
A state route carves through the park. For years, community members have had to make the dangerous crossing of the roadway to get from one park field to another. Curbs and other hazards further hinder those in wheelchairs, on bicycles, or pushing strollers.
Daryl has been overseeing the engineering and construction of the pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the road, which will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. When complete, it will provide the community with a safe route over vehicle traffic and connect the park’s walking paths. Lighting will illuminate the span during the evening and early morning hours.
C.S. Davidson will complete the project with a fresh landscape design.
“When it’s all constructed, which hopefully will be towards the end of this year, they’ll have a nice facility that provides safe crossing for pedestrians, but not only that,” Daryl says. “There were existing pedestrian trails in the park. We’ll connect to those, so there’ll be longer paths for pedestrians and bicyclists.”
Bringing together stakeholders
Daryl, who grew up with a passion for structural engineering, earned his master’s degree in engineering science from Penn State University. He moved among various firms before landing at C.S. Davidson in 1989.
“I always wanted to be involved in structural engineering, designing buildings,” he says. “When I was younger, I didn’t think much about bridges.”
He started designing structures for wastewater treatment plants but found himself increasingly drawn to the intricacies of bridge design. Eventually, he took on project management responsibilities. Throughout his tenure at C.S. Davidson, he has shown an adeptness for handling complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
“I thrive on projects where multiple parties are involved, where stakeholders and owners come together,” he says.
For Daryl, seeing disparate entities unite for a common goal is immensely rewarding. While many managers might become discouraged trying to get municipalities, government agencies, community members, environmental entities, and grant providers to agree and move forward on a project, that’s where Daryl thrives.
Two York bridges
Among his favorite projects are the Philadelphia Street Bridge and Princess Street Bridge replacements spanning the Codorus Creek in York. Daryl’s expertise in project management and bridge engineering came to the forefront of these projects.
The superstructure replacements required meticulous coordination and phased construction to minimize disruption while ensuring safety and meeting necessary compliances. Daryl’s role extended beyond technical expertise; it encompassed fostering collaboration and ensuring cohesion among diverse teams. The completed bridges offer motorists and pedestrians a safer way to cross the Codorus.
As the Senior Project Manager for both bridges, Daryl pulled together design teams comprising various disciplines and ensured everyone was aligned and working toward a shared vision. Daryl says the work addresses challenges, monitors progress, and delivers successful outcomes of which all the stakeholders can be proud.
‘We care about each other’
Daryl’s pleasant nature and sense of humor have endeared him to colleagues and clients alike.
“I enjoy making people laugh and smile,” he says.
He also finds fulfillment in fostering a positive work environment and seeing younger engineers grow and develop under his guidance. Reflecting on the evolution of the engineering landscape through four decades, Daryl says he has seen seismic shifts brought about by technological advancements. When he started at C.S. Davidson, the entire office shared one computer. Designing and testing various structures was a slow and laborious process. Today, advanced technologies allow his team to evaluate multiple solutions in a number of hours.
The transition from paper-based documentation to digital platforms has revolutionized the firm’s workflows and accelerated project timelines, he says. Still, while embracing these changes and their positive impact on engineering, Daryl remains steadfast in his belief in the value of human connection and collaboration. As he celebrates 35 years with C.S. Davidson, his legacy is not defined merely by projects completed but by relationships forged and communities connected.
“One of the biggest things that I enjoy here at C.S. Davidson is the atmosphere. We care about each other on a professional and a personal level, and senior leadership cares about us,” he says.
Away from the office, Daryl spends his free time with his wife and two adult sons and enjoys trout fishing and gardening. He finds that a sense of tranquility and fulfillment comes from nurturing life and enjoying the fruits of his labor, whether putting a salsa made with ingredients from his garden on the smoker or enjoying his catch cooked on the open grill.