From an early age, Lucas Rubash had a passion for problem-solving. His curiosity led him to take multiple Project Lead The Way courses in high school, solidifying his interest in engineering. Now, as part of Sambatek, he gets to apply his experience to real-world projects, helping shape Minnesota’s infrastructure by overseeing designs and providing recommendations that improve the state’s roadways.
One of the most challenging projects Lucas has worked on is the Trunk Highway 5 (West 7th St) project in Downtown St. Paul. The complexity of the corridor, one of the oldest roadways in the state, has presented unique challenges, from historical streetcar tracks and cobblestones to skewed intersections. Despite these obstacles, the project remains an exciting and rewarding endeavor.
His favorite project, however, was the preliminary design for the Willmar Trunk Highway 12 project. The goal was to reshape the roadway into a safer, more uniform corridor with reduced speeds. While the project ultimately didn’t move forward, the experience taught Lucas invaluable lessons about project planning and stakeholder engagement.
For Lucas, engineering is more than just designing roads, it’s about creating the pathways that allow people and goods to move efficiently across the world. As technology advances, he envisions a future where engineering moves beyond traditional blueprints to fully immersive 3D design deliverables, making projects more precise and efficient.
His advice to aspiring engineers? Never stop learning. The true value of an engineering degree lies in the ability to understand challenges, adapt, and find solutions. Though the path may seem daunting, engineering is a career that offers both purpose and fulfillment.