Leading WSP’s efforts in Austin is Arash Saeedi, a lifelong Austinite. “Regardless of if you’re a native or a transplant, the one thing we all share is that we choose to live here,” said Saeedi, “we realize that we all have a vested interest in the success of our region and chose to take action to fix the challenges we are facing. Austin embodies the now and tomorrow of Texas.”
Arash taking some members of the WSP Austin and San Antonio offices to visit the 183 South design build project for which WSP was the lead designer.
Driven by a large and diverse workforce, the Austin population is shaping its future with eminent investments in critical infrastructure on the I-35 corridor (TxDOT), at the City of Austin airport and local transit systems (CapMetro/ATP). WSP has a history in Austin as part of the original Bergstrom International expansion, as the lead designer on the 183S corridor project (CTRMA), and design oversight on the 183N project.
Saeedi emphasizes how these projects prioritize equity. “We realize that these investments are long overdue and navigating differing perspectives is something that many of our partner agencies are dealing with,” Saeedi said. “Finding new ways to listen, bringing different stakeholders to the table and developing new tools to address historical inequities.” For example, CapMetro/ATP’s plan to implement new transit systems has been developed using an Equitable Transit Oriented Development (ETOD) framework.
Saeedi’s investment in Austin metro-area projects is personal. This region, anchored by Austin and San Antonio, is projected to be the nation’s first “mega-metro” with many nearby and in-between communities rapidly expanding. The challenge moving forward is to plan for the current and future growth of the region. This will include making sure there is enough capacity to move people and goods safely and efficiently as well as having access to clean drinking water, power, and communications.
Arash visiting with COMTO Austin members during the 2022 Multi-Modal forum.
“I’m constantly amazed by our technical depth throughout the organization,” says Saeedi. “WSP has nationally recognized experts in almost every service line that we provide to our clients, and we can leverage that to bring innovative solutions to the table.
Saeedi currently serves as the treasurer and immediate past president of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMPTO) Austin Chapter. He previously served as the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) MATHCONTS coordinator for the Travis Chapter.
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