HNTB
HNTB on March 3 announced that JR Hudnall has joined the firm as Project Controls Director. He brings more than two decades of experience in alternative delivery, preconstruction planning, and project management across multiple sectors, including rail, highways, aviation, mining, tunneling, and dams across multiple regions of the U.S. and Canada.
In his new role, Hudnall will oversee all project controls for the Denver office, where he is already contributing valuable efforts on the Brightline West high-speed rail project, an initiative connecting Southern California and Las Vegas. In this new capacity, he will lead the development of the project controls practice in Denver, “enhancing HNTB’s local capabilities and driving excellence in cost estimation, scheduling and overall project management,” the infrastructure solutions firm noted.
“JR’s impressive track record of managing teams and large, complex infrastructure will be invaluable to our firm, clients and community,” said Del Walker, Denver Office Leader and Vice President at HNTB. “His exceptional technical expertise across diverse transportation sectors positions him as a valuable driver of transportation innovation in the western region.”
Hudnall’s career spans nearly 20 years, with 15 years specializing in projects utilizing design-build and alternative delivery methods, where his team was responsible for project pursuits, design, and construction phases. His notable achievements include directing the civil engineering and estimating efforts for 110 miles of the Brightline West corridor; and directing all pursuit and preconstruction efforts for projects, such as the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) SR 520 Portage Bay Bridge replacement in Seattle and the I-15 Tropicana Interchange Project in Las Vegas, Nev. Additionally, Hudnall served as the Project Engineer and Change Management Lead for Denver’s Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) Eagle P3 Commuter Rail project, the RTD’s first public-private partnership and transit P3 in the U.S. He also served as the Lead Estimator for the Newark Airport Terminal A redevelopment and LA Metro’s Foothill Gold Line light rail extension in California.
Hudnall holds a Bachelor of Science in mining engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.
SEPTA
The past two months presented several weather and other unique operating challenges for SEPTA and interim General Manager Scott Sauer took time at the February Board Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, to commend how the SEPTA team responded to the agency’s customers and communities it serves.
Following the tragic plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia on Jan. 31, SEPTA Transit Police assisted Philadelphia Police and other emergency services in responding to the incident and SEPTA buses were on location for more than a day to provide shelter to those who were displaced.
When a Wilmington/Newark Regional Rail train caught fire near Crum Lynne Station during the height of the evening rush on Thursday, Feb. 6. 2025, the “skill, training, and composure” of SEPTA’s Regional Rail crew was on full display.
Thanks to their steady response all 325 passengers were safely escorted off the train before flames fully engulfed the first car of the train and severely damaged a second.
Immediately upon a passenger reporting smoke, SEPTA’s crew stopped the train, started the evacuation process, and called first responders for help. This, the agency says, “ensured that passengers were well on their way to safety before the fire had a chance to spread.”
Once customers were off the train, SEPTA’s train crew and first responders helped guide them off of the right-of-way—navigating difficult terrain in the dark.
“I extend my gratitude to everyone involved for ensuring all passengers made it home safely and for your heroic efforts,” said Sauer.
The train crew was present at the February Board Meeting:
- Train Engineer Branndon Mosley
- Conductor Joseph Latigona
- Assistant Conductor Brendan Montgomery
- Assistant Conductor Allen Jones
“Our workforce also contended with the impact of harsh winter weather in January and February and our crews worked diligently to resolve problems that have caused or could have caused service disruptions,” added Sauer. “We thank them for all that they do.”
