Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) crews are hard at work reconstructing the Interstate 4 (I-4) at Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) interchange. This critical gateway along Florida’s tourism corridor serves millions of drivers per year, highlighting the importance of this improvement project. The numerous structures, including seven new bridges, are key aspects of this work.

Chic Severance serves as the structures project administrator for the project, overseeing the inspection staff for all bridge construction. Severance provides leadership and support for the field inspection staff while also managing structures submittals, including pile installation and beam erection plans. He also manages field records and foundation certifications to ensure that all involved parties work efficiently and in a timely manner on structures throughout the project. He evaluates any potential construction issues as they arise and monitors crews’ progress.

“I embrace the daily surprises that are a part of construction,” Severance said. “On heavy roadway construction projects there are daily opportunities to learn something new.”

Severance started working in the construction industry in 1985 and has taken on various roles throughout his nearly 40-year career. He began his career working for testing labs and as a consultant to FDOT, performing inspections at production facilities that fabricate bridge components and structure elements. In his work as an inspector, Severance reported directly to FDOT field leadership. He shifted to the construction engineering and inspection (CEI) world in 1998, and he has since completed multiple large-scale projects.

Some of the marquee projects that Severance has worked on include the first phase of the S.R. 429 construction in Apopka; the Broadway Bridge replacement in Daytona Beach; the I-95/I-295/S.R. 9A interchange in Jacksonville; the S.R. 408 toll plaza improvements in Orlando; the S.S. Jolley bridge replacement in Marco Island; I-595 Express in Fort Lauderdale; the Florida Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) Homestead Extension of Florida’s Turnpike (HEFT) in Kendall; and I-4 Ultimate in Orlando.

“I have always liked the fact that the construction field is ever changing to meet new challenges,” Severance said. “The industry consistently introduces new methods and materials as well as design concepts that improve the efficiency of Department facilities.”

Outside of work, Severance spends his time with his family, including his three children and nine grandchildren. He enjoys road-tripping and embracing small-town America with his wife whenever the opportunity to travel arises.