Marquis Who’s Who has recognized Ronald James Haeger Jr., senior highway engineer at E.P. Ferris & Associates, for his significant impact on civil engineering and the transformation of Central Ohio’s infrastructure. With more than 40 years of experience in the field, Haeger’s work has touched numerous roadways and projects across the state, making travel safer and more efficient for residents and commuters.
“Driving through Central Ohio today, it’s almost impossible for me not to encounter a road I’ve worked on,” says Haeger, reflecting on his contributions. “It gives me satisfaction to see firsthand how our company’s efforts have improved our transportation system.”
Shaping Central Ohio’s Roadways and Beyond
Since joining E.P. Ferris & Associates in 2006, Haeger has been pivotal in the firm’s roadway engineering projects. His work spans many large-scale developments, including the Graphics Way Trail over U.S. 23 and rehabilitating a 12-mile stretch of interstate through Columbus. This project introduced a concrete barrier, creating additional lanes and vastly improving the roadway’s safety and capacity.
“The 12-mile interstate rehabilitation was a nice improvement for the city and was used as a teaching moment for younger engineers learning capped concrete barrier design and construction,” Haeger comments. “It was a complex project that required precision, planning and innovation to meet the growing demands of our population. Seeing the finished product is rewarding.”
Beyond his technical proficiency, Haeger plays a vital role in training the next generation of civil engineers. As the final checkpoint for quality assurance and control on major projects, his keen eye for detail guarantees all design elements meet the highest standards. His mentorship has been instrumental in guiding young engineers through the intricacies of highway design and project management.
“One of my professional joys has been mentoring young engineers,” Haeger shares. “Seasoned professionals taught me early in my career, and now I can pay that forward by helping the next generation develop their skills and knowledge.”
Committed to Innovation and Sustainable Development
Haeger remarks, “As civil engineering evolves, we are integrating sustainability into our projects. One of our most recent undertakings is contributing to the development of Brownfield sites, helping refurbish land while driving economic growth in the region. This focus on sustainability reflects the shifting priorities within the industry, where environmental impact is becoming as important as engineering precision.”
Among his most cherished accomplishments, Haeger is particularly proud of his involvement in six prominent projects, several of which go back over four decades. These include his work on the Easton Town Center in 1998, the design of the first roundabout in Columbus in 1999, the nationwide arena project for the Blue Jackets NHL hockey team in 2000, the I-270 expressway interchange improvements and tunnel design in 2004, the Olde Hilliard Streetscape improvements, including an arch over the new roadway, in 2008, and the Hollywood Casino, Dayton Raceway and Mahoning Valley Race Course for Penn Gaming in 2012.
