Jacob Sundin, PE, Joins IEA as Senior Project Manager in Fort Worth
Local Knowledge, Lasting Impact
When a five-mile drive turns into a 45-minute commute in Northwest Tarrant County, due to passing trains and backed-up highway ramps, transportation engineers dive deep to figure out solutions to help communities manage growth and demand. Their work helps keep communities moving as they grow.
This challenge is familiar to Jacob Sundin, PE, who joins IEA as a Senior Project Manager in the Fort Worth office. With more than 19 years of transportation engineering experience, including six years with the TxDOT Fort Worth District, Jacob understands the issues facing one of North Texas’s fastest-growing areas. He brings experience in roadway design, traffic signals, drainage, rail, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities, along with the regional knowledge and project leadership to help move critical infrastructure improvements forward.
Jacob saw these issues firsthand while helping advance the design of a series of major transportation projects in Northwest Tarrant County along the Bonds Ranch Road corridor and the US 287 corridor from Avondale-Haslet Road to IH 35W in Fort Worth, an area where rapid development has surpassed infrastructure improvements. As new residents and businesses move into the region, congestion has become a daily frustration for drivers.
One area where these delays are especially noticeable is near Bonds Ranch Road and US 287. The area has roundabouts that sit close to an at-grade railroad crossing serving a major intermodal facility. “With trains coming through very frequently, and sometimes stopping on the tracks through the crossing, traffic flow through the roundabouts is frequently disrupted, and it’s very easy to find drivers at a standstill with stopped traffic sometimes even backing up onto the main lanes of US 287,” explains Jacob. “This happens every hour. It’s a traffic nightmare for everyone that lives in the area, and it’s one they have to deal with every single day.”
The challenges have prompted frequent public complaints and strong turnout at public meetings. Residents want relief, and while the improvements take time to design and deliver, seeing progress has helped build confidence with the public that solutions are moving forward.
“It was definitely one of the most meaningful projects I’ve had the privilege to be a part of. When you can see the urgent need of a community like this one, and then have the opportunity to contribute, by helping to push those projects forward and make a positive change for an entire region, that is the type of change that I want to be a part of, and that is what drives my passion for what I do,” said Jacob.
That sense of purpose carries into his work at IEA, where his understanding of the Fort Worth region will help the team support clients navigating complex transportation needs.
Jacob also served as Design Project Manager and 3D Modeling Task Lead for the Fort Worth District’s first Digital Delivery Project, US 377 Widening & Intersection Improvements in Hood County. The project includes turn-lane improvements at three intersections and uses a 3D model as the primary deliverable, allowing the contractor to build from the 3D model rather than relying primarily on traditional plan sheets.
“Digital Delivery is gaining momentum across the industry fast, and it was exciting to be on the front lines of that evolution. 3D modeling has always been a particular area of interest for me, and I hope to continue contributing to the advancement of that area of our industry,” said Jacob.
As IEA continues to expand its presence in North Texas, bringing experienced professionals onto the team is an important part of building lasting client relationships and delivering for the communities we serve.
“The west side of the DFW Metroplex is an important growth market for IEA, and our vision is to build a strong local team led by professionals who deeply understand the region and its transportation needs,” said Shakeel Ahmed, CEO and Principal. “Jacob’s leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to mentoring others will help us continue expanding our capabilities while strengthening relationships with clients and partners across North Texas.”
For Jacob, joining IEA also means returning to consulting and working across a broader range of projects.
“I’m excited to bring together the lessons and the perspectives I’ve gained from both the public and private sides of our industry to build stronger alignment between consultants, stakeholders, and communities, and help deliver meaningful transportation improvements across our region,” he said.
Beyond the Office
Outside of work, Jacob enjoys traveling with his wife and twin daughters, and spending time outdoors, especially in the Colorado mountains, where he visits family to hunt and fish. He also enjoys cheering on his daughters at Mansfield basketball and cross-country events. At home, he enjoys spending time in his garden or starting a new woodworking project.
Please join us in welcoming Jacob to IEA’s Fort Worth office!
