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    1. Management

    Mark Dorn to join TriMet as executive director of engineering, construction and planning division

    Sept. 2, 2022
    TriMet’s new executive director for capital projects and planning is no stranger to local transit projects.
    Related To: TriMet
    TriMet
    Mark Dorn Sm Trimet 63121f2c7295f

    TriMet welcomes Mark Dorn as its new executive director of engineering, construction and planning. 

    Dorn is a seasoned transit practitioner who brings more than two decades of multimodal transit planning, engineering and design experience to the agency. He has overseen the engineering and construction of light rail, bus rapid transit and streetcar systems throughout the U.S. since 1992. 

    Dorn comes to TriMet from David Evans and Associates, Inc., where he worked as director of transit design and engineering and, prior to that, AECOM, where he served as vice president of national transit practice. During his time with those companies, he was the design manager for the consultant team working on the Southwest Corridor Light Rail Extension Project. 

    Previously, Dorn served as vice president of the Portland Transit Design Group Manager at URS Corporation where he provided project planning and design management support for several local transit projects, including the Portland Streetcar Eastside Extension (Central Loop), WES Commuter Rail and the Transit Mall renovation as part of the MAX Green Line project. 

    “Through his work as a consultant on large transit projects, Mark has cultivated a rich history in transit around the region and the nation,” said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr.  “His extensive knowledge surrounding project delivery will be a significant asset to our engineering, construction and planning teams and TriMet as a whole.” 

    In addition to local transit projects, Dorn has been involved in the design and construction of multiple national projects: 

    • Valley Link Commuter Rail Project, San Joaquin Regional Rail Authority: 40-mile rail system connecting the Dublin BART rail station to the city of Tracy, Calif. 
    • Oklahoma City Streetcar Project 
    • SEPTA Trolley Modernization Master Plan 
    • Seattle Streetcar – First Hill Streetcar Line: 2.5-mile Sound Transit funded streetcar system serving the International District, Seattle University and First Hill/Capitol Hill neighborhoods. 
    • Detroit Streetcar Project (QLine): 3.3-mile starter line, providing rail service from downtown Detroit to the Amtrak Station in New Center. 
    • Atlanta Streetcar Project: 2.7-mile loop service through the middle of Atlanta’s downtown. 

    “This seems a bit of a homecoming as I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with TriMet staff and regional partners on past transit projects,” Dorn said. “I look forward to leading the engineering, construction and planning teams as we grow TriMet services and revitalize existing infrastructure to continue delivering the high-quality transit services our community deserves.” 

    In his new role, Dorn will provide critical leadership for upcoming projects, overseeing the execution and administration of state and federal safety reviews, project requirements and the financial reporting structure for large projects. 

    Dorn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Vermont and is a licensed professional engineer. His first day at TriMet will be Oct. 3, 2022.