Helping California's economy grow
Member Profile: George CornellAs a Materials Research & Engineering Associate for Caltrans, George Cornell is responsible for specialized laboratory and field-testing of the resources and manufactured products Caltrans uses to build and maintain our highways and bridges.
Among the items that he's evaluating: pavement markers, safety cones and the geotextural fabric used in roadway construction. Asphalt and concrete, the primary materials used to build highways, have also come under Cornell's scrutiny.
And while he's focused on ensuring that the items he reviews meet rigid specifications for reliability as well as cost effectiveness, he keeps his eye on the big picture as well.
"California business has a huge reliance on our roads and highways," Cornell said. "A good infrastructure helps the economy grow."
Caltrans' Materials Engineering and Testing service - located in Sacramento - also provides inspections and expert technical advice on all phases of transportation engineering, as well as developing guidelines, technical standards and procedure manuals.
"We work to make pavement last longer and to shorten roadway closures during maintenance and construction. With the economy and the budget the way it is, you want to get the biggest bang for the buck," Cornell said.
Proud of the work he does, Cornell feels he's "contributing a lot to the state." But behind that pride is an intense curiosity. "I like discovering new things ... it's like the puzzle is coming together."
And while he's focused on ensuring that the items he reviews meet rigid specifications for reliability as well as cost effectiveness, he keeps his eye on the big picture as well.
"California business has a huge reliance on our roads and highways," Cornell said. "A good infrastructure helps the economy grow."
Caltrans' Materials Engineering and Testing service - located in Sacramento - also provides inspections and expert technical advice on all phases of transportation engineering, as well as developing guidelines, technical standards and procedure manuals.
"We work to make pavement last longer and to shorten roadway closures during maintenance and construction. With the economy and the budget the way it is, you want to get the biggest bang for the buck," Cornell said.
Proud of the work he does, Cornell feels he's "contributing a lot to the state." But behind that pride is an intense curiosity. "I like discovering new things ... it's like the puzzle is coming together."