Senior Project Engineer | I-91/I-691/Route 15 Interchange, Meriden
On O&G’s I-91/I-691/Route 15 Interchange Design-Build Project in Meriden, progress depends on a team that anticipates challenges before they happen. For Ryan O’Halpin, Senior Project Engineer, that kind of proactive problem-solving is second nature, honed through more than a decade of experience in heavy civil construction.
Ryan began his career with O&G Industries twelve years ago and spent nine of those growing within the company before taking an opportunity to serve as Director of Public Works for the Town of Portland. The role offered valuable insight into municipal operations, but his heart remained in the field. “I ultimately chose to return to O&G because I’ve always enjoyed working here, value the company’s culture, and see O&G as the place I’d like to stay through to retirement,” he says.
Construction runs deep in Ryan’s family. His grandfather was a draftsman who started a sheet-metal company in New York City; his father managed building projects there and taught Ryan and his brothers the basics of construction by having them help build home additions, a treehouse, a swing set, among other things. “Being surrounded by construction gave me a knowledge base a lot of people don’t have at a young age,” he recalls. That early foundation led him to pursue a degree in civil engineering and a lifelong career in the industry.
For Ryan, no two days are the same. He starts each morning communicating with field personnel and superintendents to stay ahead of ongoing work, ensuring that the crews have the drawings, materials, and support they need. Behind the scenes, he and the project team manage submittals, RFIs, shop drawings, material orders, tracking payments, and meeting with the inspection team to keep the project aligned and safely progressing. “Every day in construction is different, and that’s what I enjoy most about it,” he says. “Our goal is to make sure the job is built correctly, efficiently, and safely – that’s success.”
Among his proudest achievements is the I-91 Charter Oak Bridge project, where he helped coordinate multiple night crews performing drainage, earthwork, concrete, and paving operations that placed more than 150,000 tons of asphalt in two seasons. “The amount of work that team accomplished in tough conditions was impressive,” he says. “I’m proud to have been part of that.”
Ryan credits mentors like Chris McPadden, Craig Miller, John Rouleau, Kevin Mierzejewski, Bill Noll, Brian Deperry, and Pete Hinman for shaping his career. Their lessons in communication and listening continue to guide his leadership style. “My advice to anyone starting out is simple – listen, ask questions, and never stop learning,” he says. “Eventually you’ll be the one that others turn to for answers.”
Outside of work, Ryan and his family love heading to Vermont to hike and boat in the summer or snowboard in the winter. “My ideal weekend is relaxing at home, going for a couple of hikes with our dog and getting the rest I need to start another week” he says.
