Roger Montes, Project Engineer (Public Works/Transportation), joined Ardurra in September 2022. Based in Colorado Springs, CO, he has led the design for a major renovation of the Eisenhower Tunnel – one of Colorado’s most critical infrastructure corridors. In this employee spotlight, we discover how Ardurra's collaborative culture empowered Roger to lead this complex, high-elevation project to successful completion.

Leading from Colorado Springs

When managing complex infrastructure projects, proximity to the site isn't always necessary for success. Roger Montes, who works remotely from Colorado Springs while officially assigned to Ardurra's Phoenix office under Gary Fromm, has proven this through his leadership on the $35 million Eisenhower Tunnel Drainage, Heat Trace, and Plumbing Design-Build project.

Roger shares, “I operate remotely from Colorado Springs while supporting the Phoenix office, handling most tasks digitally and traveling for site visits when required.”

This flexibility has allowed Roger to serve as design lead on one of Colorado's most critical infrastructure projects while maintaining his home base in Colorado Springs, a testament to Ardurra's trust in its employees and commitment to flexible work arrangements.

The Eisenhower Tunnel Challenge

Since joining Ardurra in September 2022, Roger has been spearheading the company's role as design lead on the Eisenhower Tunnel design-build project – an ambitious initiative to renovate and modernize this crucial transportation corridor located 11,000 feet above sea level on Interstate 70 west of Denver.

Fun Fact: More than 28,000 vehicles pass through the Eisenhower Tunnel daily, with numbers increasing during ski season.

As a subconsultant to general contractor Myers and Sons Construction, Ardurra has provided full design services for upgrades, including:

• Heat trace installations to prevent freezing at high altitude
• Drainage and plumbing repairs
• Roof repairs for new roof drains
• Water treatment facility upgrades
• Enhanced traffic monitoring and incident management systems

“It’s a significant project now approaching completion,” Roger notes. “Serving as the design lead has been demanding, but the experience has been incredibly rewarding.”

Culture of Support Makes the Difference

For Roger, the most memorable part of this project wasn’t just the technical challenge but the support he received from teams across Ardurra.

“What sets Ardurra apart is its genuine commitment to employee success,” he shares, reflecting on the difference from his 12-year tenure at a previous firm. “The organization provides strong professional support and takes a real interest in your career growth. Even with 15 years in engineering, I regularly reach out across departments, and the response is always collaborative and solution-focused.”

He credits colleagues like Chris Canonico, Brent Nicholas, and Gary Fromm for consistently stepping up to help navigate challenges, offering the kind of expertise and support that truly elevates project outcomes.

“This culture of collaboration was crucial for the Eisenhower Tunnel project, which demanded expertise across multiple engineering disciplines, from electrical to mechanical systems.”

From the Top Down

The supportive culture at Ardurra extends all the way to executive leadership. Roger recalls a meaningful interaction with President and CEO Ernesto Aguilar, who remembered a previous encounter they’d had years earlier in New York before Roger joined Ardurra.

"During a company ‘Meet your CEO’ meeting, Ernesto acknowledged our prior interaction, and said, 'You and I have crossed paths before,'" Roger recalled. "The fact that he remembered our previous conversation from almost five years earlier showed a genuine interest in employees as individuals. That level of personal recognition from executive leadership shows that every team member is valued, regardless of their position in the organization."

This personal touch from leadership reinforces Ardurra’s commitment to valuing individual employees, something Roger finds distinctly different at Ardurra.

Technical Expertise Meets Human Connection

The Eisenhower Tunnel project presented a number of technical challenges over its two-year timeline. For travelers passing through the tunnel, the complex systems being upgraded remain largely invisible, yet they're critical to the safe operation of this vital transportation link.

However, these challenges were real for the engineers working behind the scenes. The project required intricate coordination between multiple teams and expertise across various engineering disciplines.

“People are often impressed when they hear I’ve worked on such a historic and vital piece of infrastructure,” Roger reflects. “It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience, although not without its share of long nights and high-pressure moments.”

What made the difference, he adds, was the ability to lean on Ardurra's broad network of experts and collective expertise. The spectrum of technical knowledge available within the company provided Roger with resources he could tap into whenever needed, ensuring that challenges were addressed efficiently and effectively.

Fun Fact: The tunnel is built through the Continental Divide, which separates watersheds draining into the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

Looking Forward

As the Eisenhower Tunnel project nears completion, Roger reflects on the past two years with pride in the team’s accomplishments. With the finish line in sight and as-built documentation being finalized, the light at the end of the tunnel is finally shining bright.

For Roger, this milestone represents more than the successful completion of a significant infrastructure project but also an affirmation of his decision to join Ardurra – a company whose culture of support empowered him to lead with confidence in a demanding role.

The Eisenhower Tunnel project stands as a testament to what can be achieved when technical excellence is backed by a company culture that prioritizes collaboration, support, and meaningful human connection.