October 23, 2025 1:00 pm
Robert Owens, P.E., Bridge Design Section Director, Texas Dept. of Transportation
Introduction by: Jamie Farris, P.E., Bridge Division Director, Texas Dept. of Transportation
Presentation begins: 09:38
Q&A begins: 45:53
Presentation Documents:
Intro & News Slides: Intro & News Slides
Presentation Slides: Presentation Slides - Accelerated Bridge Construction in Texas
Description:
This presentation will explore how Texas is advancing Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) through a strategic blend of research, innovation, and allowances for contractor driven options. Texas is developing and refining precast element standards that not only enhance constructability but also improve long-term performance and resilience. These standards are informed by research and feedback from industry stakeholders, ensuring they are both practical and economical. A key component of Texas’s ABC strategy is its support for contractor-driven solutions. By allowing flexibility in construction methods and encouraging innovation at the project level, Texas enables faster delivery timelines. This approach fosters collaboration between designers, contractors, and researchers, creating a dynamic environment where new ideas can be tested and implemented efficiently.
Presenters:
Robert Owens, P.E.
Texas Dept. of Transportation
Bridge Division
Design Section Director
Robert Owens currently serves as the Design Section Director within the Bridge Division of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). In this role, Robert contributes to the Design Section’s district support and offers oversight for bridge design projects across the state. He has 27 years of experience with TxDOT, including roles in the Construction Division’s Materials Section within the Structural Products Fabrication Branch, as a bridge design engineer in the Fort Worth District Bridge Design Section, and a bridge designer in the Dallas District Bridge Design Section.
Jamie Farris, P.E.
Texas Dept. of Transportation
Bridge Division
Bridge Division Director
Jamie currently serves as the Bridge Division Director of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). In this role, Jamie oversees operations that include planning assistance, geotechnical and structural plan preparation, construction and maintenance assistance, safety inspection and PS&E review. Jamie graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Architectural Engineering and an MS in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in structures. She joined TxDOT Bridge Division in 2003 after spending 3 years in the consulting world designing bridges. She is a member of the AASHTO Committee on Bridges and Structures (COBS), where she serves as a technical committee member on the Technology, Research, and Steel and Metals Committees.
Presentation Photos / Graphics:
all photos courtesy of TXDOT
1) Lake Waco Precast Caps
2) TxDOT Bridge Division Standard for Precast Caps
3) Use of wide flange Tx-girder for exterior girder
4) Precast column mock-up for full scale test