Articles

Keynote Speaker - June 2021

Varuna A. Singh, Deputy District Engineer – TxDOT Houston

Grady B. Mapes, P.E., Director of Alternative Project Delivery – TxDOT Houston

Topic: North Houston Highway Improvement Program (NHHIP)

In his role as Deputy District Engineer, Varuna A. Singh assists the Houston District Engineer, Eliza Paul, with the operations of the Houston District.

Varuna has 18 years of transportation experience with the Department.

Before becoming a member of the TXDOT Family, Varuna graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 2002. Varuna began his career with TXDOT at the Weatherford Area Office for the Fort Worth District designing various project types including on and off system bridge replacements, the Safety Bond Program and interstate pavement reconstruction. Varuna transitioned to alternative project delivery in 2010, serving as a Deputy Project Manager on the 13-mile $2.1 billion North Tarrant Express Concession Project. In 2012, Varuna became the Project Manager of the 30-mile, $1.4 billion I-35 East Express Lanes Design-Build Project in Dallas.

Since 2015, Varuna has served as the Houston District’s Alternative Project Delivery Director, implementing over $3 billion in design and construction projects and developing over $4 billion for procurement.

Varuna was the 2018 recipient of the Dr. L. I. Hewes Award by WASHTO, recognizing his outstanding contribution to national highway development programs.

Varuna, in his spare time, enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking and spending time with family and friends.

Grady B. Mapes, P.E. was appointed Director for Houston District’s Alternative Project Delivery, effective on April 1, 2020. In this role, Grady oversees the district’s alternative project delivery program, including over $2 billion in design and construction and over $3 billion in procurement.

Grady graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in May 2003. Grady has over 17 years of transportation experience with the department beginning in September 2003 when he joined the Central Houston Area Office as an Engineering Assistant.

Grady performed construction inspection work on the IH 610 West Loop and IH 10 interchange reconstruction project. He was the construction project manager for the IH 10 reconstruction project from Washington Avenue to IH 610 West Loop. Grady received his Professional Engineering license in 2008 and transitioned to performing construction engineering duties including utility coordination, change orders and design and constructability reviews for multiple projects in the area office.

In August 2012, Grady was appointed Assistant Area Engineer in the Brazoria County Area Office. In November 2014, he was assigned to the 35-mile new location SH 99 Grand Parkway Segments F and G Design-Build Project, assisting with construction activities. Since his appointment in March 2016 as the Area Engineer of Fort Bend/Waller Area Office, Grady has overseen design, construction and maintenance activities in both Fort Bend and Waller Counties.

Grady and his wife Shannon have three sons; Mitchell, Everett, and Reece. The boys keep them busy with sports and Boy Scout activities.