Posted: April 25, 2016
Last modified: December 26, 2018

TONY HART
Drainage Engineer
Resident of Kissimmee

Even with 14 years of construction work behind him, Tony Hart knows he’s building valuable experience in everything from budgeting to scheduling to keeping field operations moving smoothly as a member of the I-4 Ultimate team.

Hart is an Area 3 Drainage Engineer on the I-4 Ultimate project — a massive makeover dedicated to improving safety and mobility on the busy interstate. The 21-mile-long project requires a special mix of experts and veterans from many different companies, so Hart has been intrigued to see how others on the team approach and solve problems.

For example, he recently learned that some residential areas objected to the construction of new retaining ponds to handle stormwater from the highway, so the I-4 team is building holding areas underground. That requires installing 7-foot-wide pipes to let runoff water collect before being filtered.

“Those are definitely fascinating. I am always learning something new,” said Hart, who lives in Kissimmee.

But it’s not all one way, as another I-4 Ultimate teammate observed. Hart often explains procedures to others at work, imparting his own knowledge.

“It’s challenging every day, but I feel fortunate to learn from experienced people from all over the southeast. The things I learn here I will be able to apply later,” said Hart, who was born and raised in Savannah, Ga., and has a degree in civil engineering technology from Florida A&M University (FAMU).

When he’s not working, Hart likes to spend time with his family and watch sports. The former walk-on football player at FAMU enjoys coaching his two sons in youth football. He and his wife, Kristy, who is a nurse, also have a baby daughter.

“Some days are stressful,” Hart said. “But to be around kids who are running around laughing and without a care is very refreshing.”