July 8, 2019

We are pleased to welcome Robert Erbs, our new Design Engineer, to Epstein! He joins our Civil Engineering department, where one of his main responsibilities will be roadway projects. Robert will primarily be working on Phase I studies as well as bike and pedestrian projects. At the moment, however, he is working on various tollway assignments related to the Mile Long Bridge.

Robert recently graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (go Illini!). He studied civil engineering as well as urban and regional planning, earning both a B.S. and B.A., respectively. At UIUC, he was part of the Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity and most recently served as Vice President of the UIUC Student Chapter of ITE. He was also an Engineering Leaning Assistant, whose primary responsibility is teaching an introductory course for incoming freshman to prepare them for university.

Last summer, Robert interned at H.W. Lochner in Chicago, and the summer before at Metro Transit in St. Louis. At Lochner, he primarily did design work on the Mile Long Bridge on the Central Tri-State Tollway. Working at Metro Transit really opened his eyes to the problems our cities face and how the decisions engineers make impact those who live in them, especially the most disadvantaged.

He grew up in Chesterfield, MO, a suburb of St. Louis, MO. Robert went to high school at St. Louis Priory School, which was run by Benedictine monks to support their monastery. While he may be living in Chicago for now, St. Louis is and always will be his real home.

Civil engineering, particularly as it relates to transportation, has been a passion of Roberts since he was pretty young; he cant imagine doing anything else. He wants to be a part of making our cities healthier, more sustainable and, specifically, more equitable. He is a proud NUMTOT member (a Facebook page dedicated to new urbanism and transit) and is beyond excited that his personal and professional passions line up so well.

I guess you could say Im a transit nerd and a flâneur, but my friends appreciate the fact that I can always find our way home. Note: A flâneur is a French term for an urban explorer.

Robert is a big fan of the outdoors. He spent two summers during high school working at a Boy Scout camp in southeastern MO teaching waterskiing and wilderness survival, which his claims as the two best summers of his life. He also loves to cook (and is already thinking about what to make for breakfast club, but no spoilers), is a Carly Rae Jepsen super fan, and is very interested in drag. Sometime in the future hed love to perform, but hes not quite there just yet.

The Epstein family should know that Robert is a great listener. And also a hugger. If you ever need a free hug, just let him know. Additionally, while his legal name is Robert, he goes by Trey; though its totally OK to call him Robert, too!

Well stick to Trey. Once again, welcome to Epstein!