Matthew J. Willey, P.E., S.E.

I am currently on a planned professional sabbatical while maintaining active licensure and continued engagement in railroad structural and seismic engineering. My work during this period is focused on applied research, technical leadership, and standards development through active involvement with AREMA. I serve as Chair of an AREMA Seismic Design Committee 9, Subcommittee 2, ad-hoc subcommittee investigating the feasibility of establishing a minimum seismic design threshold for railroad bridges. In this role, I lead development of the analytical framework used to evaluate conditions under which seismic forces may govern over wind or longitudinal railroad loads. My responsibilities include performing primary numerical analyses, developing representative bridge models, and evaluating seismic demand across multiple site classes and ground motion levels. I author and present technical findings to Committee 9 and guide ongoing discussion related to potential updates to AREMA seismic design guidance. Through this work, I remain professionally active in advancing industry knowledge, supporting data-driven decision-making, and contributing to the evolution of seismic design practice for railroad infrastructure.

I was responsible for the design, delivery, and technical oversight of transportation bridge projects for IDOT and other public agencies. My role included structural analysis and design of steel and concrete bridge superstructures and substructures, as well as coordination of multidisciplinary deliverables across multiple project phases. I served as Structural Engineer of Record on multiple IDOT bridge structures, including the I-57 Structure Replacement project, which featured full 3D bridge model development using Bentley OpenBridge Designer and OpenBridge Modeler. This project represented one of the firm’s most comprehensive implementations of model-based bridge delivery. In addition to project execution, I led the firm-wide implementation of Bentley OpenBridge Modeler and OpenBridge Designer, positioning BLA as an early adopter of 3D bridge modeling for Illinois DOT work. I developed internal workflows and provided technical guidance to support adoption across design teams. My responsibilities included preparation and review of structural calculations, plans, and specifications for Phase I and Phase II design, as well as construction support through RFI responses and submittal reviews. I performed and reviewed bridge designs using LEAP Bridge Concrete and LEAP Bridge Steel and provided technical QA/QC oversight to ensure compliance with agency standards and project requirements. I also mentored staff engineers, coordinated design tasks, and supported project managers in maintaining quality, schedule, and technical consistency across multiple concurrent assignments.

I coordinate the design of railroad bridges and structures, including long span steel through plate girder and precast concrete superstructures, retaining walls, and provide drilled shaft, steel pile, and micropile foundation designs. I also perform seismic design, including modal analysis, to ensure structures are designed to withstand seismic forces, and have successfully designed and permitted over 10 structures with seismic loads in high-risk areas. My extensive experience conducting bridge and structural inspections, including gusset plate level inspection, load rating, and fatigue life analysis, using advanced analytical techniques, has enabled me to identify potential failure modes and recommend appropriate remedial actions. My contribution to rebuilding critical infrastructure and restoring community services during 5 declared disasters, including Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy, through providing FEMA Public Assistance contractor services has been invaluable. I managed the rehabilitation of over 40 bridges and roadways that resulted in over $3 million in FEMA reimbursements. As a project leader, I have developed project scopes, requirements, and deliverables, and led cross-functional teams, collaborating with architects, contractors, and other engineers to ensure efficient allocation of resources and timely completion of deliverables while leveraging project management tools to track progress and identify potential risks. I utilize advanced analysis techniques, such as Finite Element Analysis to optimize the performance and safety of structures. Overall, I have successfully completed over 200 structure designs, resulting in improved durability and reduced maintenance costs, and have served as the engineer of record on over 15 railroad structures, ensuring compliance with industry standards and local regulations.

My responsibilities included working alongside senior engineers in designing both bridge and wood frame structures, utilizing industry-standard software and design codes to guarantee compliance with safety and performance requirements. I was also responsible for conducting load calculations on various structural components such as beams, columns, and trusses, ensuring that they could withstand their intended loads and maintain their structural integrity. In addition, I provided valuable support in preparing material quantity estimates and cost analyses for construction projects. By utilizing advanced analytical tools and techniques, I was able to optimize resource allocation and minimize waste, ultimately leading to more efficient project execution. Conducting field inspections and site visits was also a key part of my role. Through these assessments, I identified potential issues in existing structures and provided recommendations for repairs and maintenance to ensure the safety and longevity of the structures.