Gio DiDomenico is a senior rail and transit engineer with Kiewit, where he has contributed to major rail transit programs across North America through a construction-driven engineering approach while also helping shape the industry through leadership, mentorship and the creation of regional rail industry networks. DiDomenico was first exposed to rail in high school while traveling from southern Colorado to the East Coast to visit prospective colleges. It was not until he became a regular transit rider during an internship in Denver, however, that he fully appreciated how essential these systems are to daily life. Inspired by that experience, he reached out to engineers at Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) and asked to shadow them for a day. That day confirmed his decision to build a career in rail and transit.  

In his role at Kiewit, DiDomenico has held key engineering roles on several major transit programs, including the Silicon Valley Phase II CP2 Tunnel & Trackwork project for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), the Federal Way Link Extension for Sound Transit and the Lake Line & South Main Line Track Rehabilitation project for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). His work includes track and tunnel alignment, track clearance analysis, special trackwork design, engineering services during construction and field support during critical shutdown windows. For the Federal Way Link Extension, he supported the project from the start of design through construction to revenue service. 

During his project work, DiDomenico developed 3D models of rail vehicle clearance envelopes to more accurately space-proof and optimize infrastructure designs. This approach improved Kiewit’s ability to identify issues earlier and coordinate more effectively across design disciplines and construction staff, leading to better-informed decisions.  

Within Kiewit, DiDomenico has played a meaningful role in the training and development of staff in the rail, transit and systems department. He has led internal technical training initiatives, developed continuing education training for licensed engineers, organized informal lunch-and-learn sessions and facilitated a module in Kiewit’s internal Culture School training for new employees.  

He has been a member of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) since 2013 and currently serves as secretary of AREMA Committee 5 (track) and as a member of Committee 12 (transit). He is also a graduate of the American Public Transportation Association Emerging Leaders Program Class of 2023.  

In 2018, while working in Chicago, he co-founded Chicago Young Rail Professionals. After relocating to Denver, he founded Colorado Rail Professionals in 2019, an organization that has created networking and professional development opportunities for hundreds of rail industry professionals in the Rocky Mountain region. In addition, he serves as chair of the town of Castle Rock Public Works Commission, extending his leadership into public service at the local level. DiDomenico is a professional engineer in Colorado, Illinois, California and Indiana and a registered P.Eng in British Columbia.

Is there a specific experience that led you to where you are today? 

During college, I was interested in water resources engineering and had an internship at a consulting firm in Denver. During this time, I was also a regular transit rider, using Denver RTD’s light-rail system to get to and from work. Inspired by the importance of transit to daily life, I reached out to an engineer at Denver RTD and asked if I could shadow him for a day, to which he agreed. At the end of the day, he sent me home with a book about railroads to continue learning. Thanks to his generosity and kindness, and the interesting things I learned that day, I decided to enter the industry. 

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

Working for the engineering arm of a contractor, I enjoy that I am so close to the construction of the infrastructure I help design. It is so rewarding to see a project you contributed to during design become reality and eventually open to the public. I love getting out to the project sites, observing the progress and hearing feedback on the constructability of the design from my counterparts in construction. 

What’s the most challenging part of your job? 

At times, the design-build environment can be challenging. There can be intense schedule pressures and tricky puzzles to integrate complex designs and creative phasing schemes. However, the challenge is part of what makes these types of projects so interesting and fun. 

What is the accomplishment you’re most proud of and why? 

I am most proud of my contributions to the rail industry through Chicago Young Rail Professionals and Colorado Rail Professionals. Through these groups, I hope I have made a lasting impact by creating opportunities for others to connect and grow in the industry at networking and professional development events. 

What is an accomplishment you would like to work towards in your career? 

I would love to have an opportunity to work on true high-speed passenger rail in the U.S. I think this mode has the potential to be transformative for certain regions, and I’d be grateful to contribute to making it a reality.  

What is your best advice you can share from your area of expertise? 

You get to create your own career path. If you have a particular interest or passion, pursue it. Want to get trained in a skill or try something new? Ask! See a need? Fill it. Be an active participant in shaping your career, rather than a passive observer.