ALDOT’s survey crew lays the foundation for success before crews set the first beam or lay pavement. These professionals play a crucial role in the success of every project, ensuring ALDOT builds projects correctly.
“We’re the starting point for many ALDOT projects,” said Matt Meredith, survey party chief and Transportation Tech Senior. “The precision of our work is critical. “If we make even a small mistake and no one catches it, it can affect everything that comes after.”
From staking right-of-way boundaries to prepping sites for core sampling, the survey crew sets the tone for construction. Every stake they drive and coordinate, they capture becomes a guidepost for engineers, designers and construction teams who follow.
Chan Grantham, location manager, emphasized how integral their work is after natural disasters or structural damage. “If heavy rain causes a washout, ALDOT’s first step is to send the survey crew to assess the damage.” After that, it goes to design and then materials and tests.”
The job isn’t just critical, it’s highly technical.
Crews use GPS rovers connected to a statewide network for precise data, switching to total stations when trees or obstacles block the signal. A total station is a tool survey crews use to measure angles and distances with high accuracy. Unlike GPS, it doesn’t rely on satellites, so it’s ideal for areas with trees or other obstacles.
Surveying at ALDOT is not for the faint of heart. Both Grantham and Meredith mentioned the environmental challenges, heat, cold, bugs, snakes and more.
Still, for those who thrive outdoors and enjoy variety, the role offers a unique sense of fulfillment.
“I like that each job is different,” Meredith said. “It keeps things from getting monotonous.”
With over 20 years of experience, Grantham put it simply: “It’s an excellent field, and I’d recommend it to anyone who loves being outdoors.”
The survey crew works behind the scenes, but their precision and accuracy are the foundation of roads and bridges across Alabama.
