Split Spotlight: Meet Patric Tuuk
Whether it’s due to a global pandemic or the impact of unpredictable weather patterns, there are many reasons why it takes a tenacious team to keep the gears of a project like the I-65 / I-70 North Split in downtown Indianapolis moving. To work at Superior Construction, it takes a certain type of tough. Being a Superior employee requires discipline, tact, and an unwavering amount of perseverance. It’s the type of spirit that’s required inside and outside of the office.
And even with this project’s breadth and numerous moving parts, teammates like Deputy Construction Manager Patric Tuuk have demonstrated that anything is possible when you share a passion for people, productivity, and putting others before yourself.
Much of Patric’s daily responsibilities require liaising between the project owner – the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), managing different workstyles, reviewing construction lookahead schedules to make sure the project is on track, and making constant schedule modifications. He’s also in constant communication with assistant project managers and field engineers to address equipment, manpower, and quality control needs.
“I spend a lot of my day meeting with other people, ranging from discussions about daily operations with our foreman and superintendents to bridging the gaps between the office and field,” Patric shared.
To be successful in a role like Patric’s, you’ve got to be prepared to tackle obstacles. And any great construction industry leader knows the foundation for a successful project starts with placing trust into your team.
“I think one of the biggest challenges I have faced in my current role is trusting others and delegating responsibilities,” he said. “Going from a much smaller project to a project of this size has challenged me to think differently and approach leadership from a newfound perspective.”
And it’s that perspective that keeps him sharp both in the office and in the field, a balance he’s found solace in.
“The fact that I’m not limited to the office and I get to spend time in the field is a game changer,” he shared. “I get to physically see what’s being built and seeing all of that work come to fruition makes all of the time spent worth it.”
Much of the time spent on Patric’s notable accomplishments was around the shutdown of the interstate last May 2021. The shutdown required working with project designer JSE to redesign a temporary runaround for the interchange to continue allowing traffic to move through the path of construction as the project’s flyover bridge is constructed, something that challenged Patric to think creatively and with the travelling public’s interest in mind. All of this was completed while working with strict COVID-19 protocols and safety regulations to keep both office and craft employees safe and healthy throughout one of the project’s major milestones.
Despite the hurdles the project has presented, Patric finds enjoyment mentoring young field engineers and project managers on the job. He also finds ways outside of the office to stay rounded as a member of CrossFit Myriad and an avid Monon Trail visitor.
“I’m proud to be part of this team and look forward to seeing the final product,” Patric concluded. “Team Indiana is so much more than just this project’s brand – it’s where we live and work, every day.”