Transportation has come a long way since the days of dirt roads and gravel paths. From traffic signals to web cameras and Highway Advisory Radios, our current transportation system looks more like a giant circuit board than a trail network. With thousands of wires to cross and volts to check on the state highway system, Signals Technician Dustin Briggs is one of the employees who works diligently every day to make sure that electrical currents and traffic patterns are both flowing smoothly.
When Dustin joined WSDOT in 2009, he walked in the door with more than 11 years experience building and installing traffic signals. His work now largely consists of keeping those signals alive. He works with a region wide team to maintain and upgrade existing electrical systems throughout southwest Washington. The equipment ranges from signals and cameras, to lights, radios and Variable Message System boards – but if it’s broke, he’ll fix it.

With all the different types of equipment installed throughout the state, Dustin’s work changes every day – and the scenery does too. In fact, the change of scenery is one of his favorite aspects of his job. “A lot of electricians spend years crawling around in the walls of a building,” explains Dustin. “I spend most of my time outside, and it takes a relatively short time to work on a signals system before we get to move on to another place.”

Those places change as dramatically as the Cascades and the Columbia River Gorge, but no matter where his job takes him, Dustin says the people stay the same. “There’s a team atmosphere here, everybody is looking to help you out,” he affirms. “I travel to all the outlying maintenance sheds, and the different crews don’t know me from Adam, but they’re always looking to work together to get the work done and to do it safely. It’s remarkable.”

Building good relationships with great people is important to Dustin. He’s happy to have co-workers he considers friends and a good family to go home to every night. A native of the northwest, Dustin lives in Vancouver with his family. “I have three kids and a wonderful wife,” he says with a smile.

Keeping up with ever-changing technology can be a grueling task. Dustin is able to keep up with the changes and keep a smile on his face at the same time. That’s just one of the many reasons WSDOT is happy to have Dustin Briggs on our team.

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