PA Turnpike Engineer Named Engineer of the Year
PA Turnpike Engineer Named Engineer of the Year
Recognition given during Engineers Week
Middletown, Pa. — As Engineering Week kicks off, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike)’s Construction Engineering Manager - East, Alan R. Williamson, Jr., P.E., has been named the Central Pennsylvania Engineers Week Council’s 2025 Engineer of the Year.
The Central Pennsylvania Engineers Week Council (CPEWC) is a non-profit organization composed of representatives from regional engineering and technical societies whose mission is to promote the work of engineers for the public’s understanding and welfare.
“Congratulations to Alan on this deserving recognition, highlighting the lasting contributions he’s made to transportation infrastructure in Pennsylvania,” said PA Turnpike Chief Engineer Brad Heigel. “His leadership and engineering skills have made a significant contribution to our roadway and is critical to delivering excellence for our customers and business partners.”
Starting in 2012, Williamson led two of the PA Turnpike’s largest initiatives in its nearly 85-year history – converting to cashless, All-Electronic Tolling (AET) and launching Open Road Tolling (ORT). In an ORT system, tolls are charged electronically as customers drive at highway speeds without slowing down or stopping beneath overhead structures — called gantries — located between interchanges. Equipment hung on the gantry and installed within the pavement processes E-ZPass or Toll By Plate transactions.
“I was surprised and shocked, honestly,” Williamson said about getting the news recently. “I can only imagine how many nominees the council receives. I’m elated. It was a very welcome surprise.”
During the AET phase, Williamson administered the more than $700 million project, encompassing engineering challenges and interdisciplinary planning involving multiple business units.
In his current role since 2021, he leads a team that delivers more than 60% of PA Turnpike infrastructure investment, totaling over $400 million annually and more than $3.5 billion across 10 years covering 170 miles of the turnpike system.
This past January, Williamson oversaw the successful debut of new Open Road Tolling east of Reading and along the entire Northeast Extension. Williamson and his team will focus on the next phase of the PA Turnpike’s move to Open Road Tolling, the demolition of the conventional legacy toll plazas and improving safety for customers.
Williamson earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from West Virginia University. He worked for various consulting groups before joining the PA Turnpike in 2004.
Williamson was nominated by the Harrisburg Section of the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE).
In addition to ASHE Harrisburg, Williamson is a member of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), a graduate of its Leadership Academy Executive Development Program, member of the academy’s alumni group, vice-chair of the West Hanover Township Planning Commission and volunteer with the Women in Transportation Symposium’s S.T.E.A.M. Day.
Williamson is the fourth PA Turnpike employee to receive Engineer of the Year honors. In addition to Heigel, retired employees Tim Scanlon, former Director of Traffic Engineering and Operations, and Gary Graham, former Assistant Chief Engineer - Design, are past recipients.
Engineering Week takes place nationwide February 16-22, 2025, and is dedicated to cultivating a diverse, well-educated future engineering workforce through increased understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers. Williamson will be honored at the CPEWC Banquet on February 20 at the West Shore Country Club.
A national transportation leader, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) is the second largest tolling facility in the United States with the most miles. The PA Turnpike proudly supports safety and convenience for its more than 550,000 daily customers through 24-7 roadside assistance, round-the-clock food and fuel at 17 service plazas and a dedicated maintenance force and State Police Troop. The PA Turnpike’s approximately 1,400-person local workforce is unified in its mission; to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. For more information about the PA Turnpike’s mission, vision and values, please visit Home | PA Turnpike.
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Media Contacts:
Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary: (267) 408-5151, morbanek@paturnpike.com
Crispin Havener, Assistant Press Secretary: (717) 870-2841, chavener@paturnpike.com