Building Bridges (Literally) with Bridges to Prosperity Artwork

Platform Chats

The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) is the leading professional association for railway engineers working together to further the development and advancement of both technical and practical knowledge in the railway industry. Come “roll with AREMA” as we chat with Members from every aspect of the Association. Each episode will contain entertaining and informative stories from our members about their time in the Association and how it has advanced their careers. Hosted By: Walt Bleser, PE, President, ARE Corporation. Information on the railway industry is provided as a service to our members but does not represent an endorsement. Subscribe to your favorite listening service to get episode notifications.

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Platform Chats

Building Bridges (Literally) with Bridges to Prosperity

March 25, 2025 • AREMA • Season 5 • Episode 3

Ditch the desk job—this Platform Chats episode takes us to Rwanda, where engineers swapped spreadsheets for socket wrenches and the cubicle for Kigali. Host Walt Blesser talks with Jim Costigan, PE, Senior Engineer – Field Services, Modjeski and Masters, and Erin O'Malley, PE, Bridge Engineer, HDR Engineering, about building a suspension bridge by hand with the local community through the organization Bridges to Prosperity.

The featured keynote at the AREMA 2025 Railroad Bridge Symposium, Bridges to Prosperity, is a nonprofit organization that envisions a world without poverty caused by rural isolation and is dedicated to ending it one trail bridge at a time. From jet lag to hauling cables with no cranes in sight, they share how a simple bridge can transform lives and careers. If you think your job has challenges, wait until you hear this.

Tune in for laughs, insights, and a reminder that real impact often happens off the tracks. For more information about Bridges to Prosperity, visit https://bridgestoprosperity.org/.

People on this episode

Walt Bleser, PE

Host