Sothers graduated with an electrical engineering degree from Kansas State University in 1992. Following graduate level education in civil and agricultural engineering, he spent four years at the Kansas Department of Agriculture in the Division of Water Resources permitting dams and stream obstructions. In 1998, he came to KDOT’s Bureau of Transportation Planning in the Geometrics and Accident Data Unit.
After 10 years, Sothers was promoted to Coordinating Engineer in the Bureau of Road Design. He oversees the Coordinating Section that works with railroad and utility companies to develop agreements necessary to allow KDOT projects to move forward and let for construction. The section also manages the federally funded railroad safety program, which focuses on improving safety at public at-grade railroad crossings. Sothers has served 14 years in this position until his recent promotion.
“I’m excited. It’s a good opportunity to promote innovative technologies and their many uses in improving the Kansas transportation system,” he said.
