Spring is here, which means construction projects are picking up again. Warmer weather helps, but unpredictable rain and cold snaps can make scheduling tricky. Some days, it feels like Mother Nature is working against us.
Greg Smothers, a Senior Project Engineer, has seen it all. “Springtime road construction is always plagued by rain and cold snaps,” he says. “Contractors have to be cautious about when they start projects to avoid weather-related delays. That means we, as engineers, have to stay flexible to keep everything covered, whether it’s a state highway job or a local resurfacing project.”
Dealing with Spring Weather: Adapt or Fall Behind
If you’ve worked in construction long enough, you know spring weather is impossible to predict. One week, it’s warm and dry. The next, a downpour floods the work zone, or an unexpected frost delays paving. Unlike winter, when we expect slowdowns, spring keeps us guessing.
“We can’t plan around the weather perfectly, so we just have to be as available as possible,” Smothers explains. “Our schedules follow the contractors, and we adjust based on their plans. If there’s a heavy rainstorm, they can’t jump right back into work, which gives us some breathing room to have staff ready when they are.”
According to the Federal Highway Administration, weather-related delays cost the construction industry about $3.5 billion each year (FHWA). That’s a lot of wasted time and money, so staying flexible is the only way to keep things moving.
Managing Crews When Everything’s in Motion
Longer daylight hours don’t always mean we extend shifts. For the most part, once a crew is assigned to a project, they stay there until it’s done. But local projects are a different story.
“Local jobs can be tricky because they finish quicker, which means we have to move people around more often,” Smothers says. “There are times we have to juggle staff between projects to make sure everything is covered. With limited field personnel, that can get complicated fast.”
It’s all about coordination. One project wraps up, and another one needs coverage. If multiple jobs are running at once, it takes careful planning to keep every site properly staffed. It’s a challenge, but it’s just part of working in the field.
How to Stay Ahead in a Busy Spring Season
Spring construction will always come with challenges, but smart preparation makes all the difference. Smothers has a few key pieces of advice for engineers and project managers getting ready for a packed season.
✔ Stay flexible. Weather delays and shifting contractor schedules mean plans can change at any moment. A rigid schedule won’t work in the spring.
✔ Train your staff to handle different situations. The more versatile your team is, the better they can adapt when things don’t go as planned.
✔ Use downtime wisely. When rain shuts things down, use the time to plan ahead, check logistics, or coordinate with contractors on the next steps.
✔ Prioritize safety. With more projects ramping up, keeping workers safe is more important than ever. The National Safety Council reports that the construction industry sees about 150,000 worker injuries every year, making proactive safety measures critical (NSC).
Spring will always throw some curveballs, but experienced engineers know how to keep projects moving. The key is staying prepared, adjusting when needed, and keeping a well-trained team ready for whatever comes next.
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