Behind Every Mile: Turning Plans into Progress on the Mountain Parkway Expansion
Behind every mile of the Mountain Parkway Expansion in Eastern Kentucky is a team of dedicated professionals working to turn complex designs into reality. Among them is Chelsea DeWitt, PE, a transportation engineer whose expertise in 3D modeling is helping move the project from concept to construction.
Photo: Kevin Damron, PE and Chelsea DeWitt, PE at a site visit to the Mountain Parkway in June 2026.
Bringing Innovation to a Landmark Project
Unlike traditional transportation projects, the Mountain Parkway Expansion is being delivered using a Progressive Design-Build approach. The delivery method brings designers, contractors, and owners together throughout the design process, allowing teams to collaborate in real time and solve challenges collectively.
For Chelsea, that collaboration is one of the most rewarding aspects of the project.
"Having everyone at the table at the same time when we're discussing a specific issue broadens the brainstorming process and helps us come up with more creative solutions," she said.
The design-build environment also creates opportunities to explore new technologies and workflows. With approximately 13 miles of roadway to design, Chelsea has found the scale of the project allows the team to invest time researching and implementing innovative tools that can improve both efficiency and project outcomes.
Leading the Digital Design Effort
Chelsea has taken a leading role in developing the detailed 3D models for the Floyd County section of the project. As transportation agencies continue to adopt more advanced digital delivery requirements, accurate modeling has become an essential component of modern roadway design.
"The new software the state has implemented requires a detailed 3D model, and that's where I spend a lot of my time," she explained.
Her work helps ensure that designers, contractors, and stakeholders have a clear understanding of how the finished roadway will look and function long before construction begins.
One example of that collaboration came from conversations with the construction team. Through regular meetings with Bizzack Construction, the contractor constructing the Mountain Parkway Expansion, Chelsea and the Palmer team receive direct feedback about the tools and drawings field crews rely on every day.
During one discussion, the team realized that cross-section information used to guide blasting and slope construction—while compliant with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet standards—was difficult to read in the field. Chelsea and the design team reworked the drawings, enlarging key text and updating the mass haul diagrams used to track earthwork throughout the project.
"Usually, that information wouldn't have left the office," Chelsea said. "But Bizzack uses those diagrams all the time, so making them more legible and keeping them updated helps everyone."
The experience highlights one of the biggest advantages of the Progressive Design-Build approach: designers and contractors are able to collaborate in real time, making adjustments that improve both constructability and efficiency.
A Career Built on Learning and Leadership
With more than a decade of engineering experience, Chelsea says her role has expanded from being solely a student of the profession to becoming both a teacher and mentor.
"I've never left the role of a student, and I don't think I ever will," she said. "But I've started to be a teacher as well."
In addition to mentoring colleagues on modeling and design tools, she has taken on increasing responsibilities related to project management, team coordination, and quality control—helping keep one of Kentucky's largest transportation projects moving forward.
She credits much of her growth to the talented technicians and engineers she has worked alongside throughout her career, as well as the experience gained on previous large-scale infrastructure projects.
(Photo: Chelsea and members of Palmer’s project team during a June 2026 site visit to the Mountain Parkway Expansion.)
Encouraging the Next Generation
When asked what advice she would offer young women considering engineering careers, Chelsea's message is simple: pursue what interests you and find your place within the profession.
"You don't have to like math and science," she said. "I enjoyed my arts and humanities classes much more. Now I see my modeling and drafting as my art. My product isn't an oil painting—it's a great set of plans."
Her perspective highlights the creativity that exists within engineering and the many paths available for future professionals.
A Team Effort
While Chelsea has played a key role in the Floyd County section, she is quick to point out that the Mountain Parkway Expansion has been a true team effort across Palmer's offices.
She credits the Louisville team for its work on the Magoffin County section and says their support has been invaluable throughout the project. Led by David Lanham, PE, the team has worked seamlessly to tackle the challenges that come with a project of this scale. Chelsea praised the design expertise of David Shain, PE and credited Jason Ishmael with helping her master OpenRoads Designer (ORD). She also noted that Brendan Lampman, EIT and Tim Robinson, PE have been instrumental in managing drainage design for both counties.
(Photo: Chelsea and members of Palmer’s team during a February 2026 site visit to the Mountain Parkway Expansion.)
"Working with such a wonderful team at Palmer—one that collaborates so seamlessly and openly—turns what could be an overwhelming project into one that's challenging but manageable," she said, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in delivering a project of this scale.
Looking Ahead
For Chelsea, the most exciting part of the Mountain Parkway Expansion isn't just the roadway itself—it's watching years of planning, design, and coordination take shape in the field. She looks forward to seeing the finished project come to life and to revisiting communities along the corridor to see how they continue to grow and evolve in the years ahead.
The Mountain Parkway Expansion is ultimately a team effort, and Chelsea is proud to be one part of a group working together to deliver a project that will improve connectivity, encourage economic growth, and create lasting opportunities for communities across Eastern Kentucky.