Madison Reporter

The City of Madison is celebrating Women in Construction Week by spotlighting five women, including Emma Almy, a street designer and engineer with the city's Engineering Division. Almy has been involved in various projects, notably the reconstruction of King, Wilson, and Butler streets in 2024.

"This is a big intersection—there's all sort of stuff in the ground and lots of conflicts," Almy remarked about her role as an inspector on this project. She was responsible for overseeing daily operations such as installing sewer pipes and storm drains.

Almy noted the challenges posed by working around old infrastructure: "With this being downtown Madison, and the oldest part of Madison, you have a lot of existing old utilities...clay pipes from the 1900s."

Raised in Rockford, Illinois, Almy pursued civil engineering at Southern Illinois University Carbondale after initially considering forestry. Encouraged by her father, also a civil engineer, she discovered her passion for understanding complex construction projects.

Reflecting on her experiences as often being the only woman on site, Almy encourages other women to pursue careers in construction without hesitation. "Don’t be afraid to get in there," she advised. "Do what you want to do."

Almy’s work involves detailed research into historical plans to understand current infrastructure challenges. She expressed pride in uncovering past designs that influence modern construction efforts.

Her enthusiasm for engineering is rooted in early experiences with her father who would share insights into his own projects. This background fuels her dedication to learning every aspect of construction both above and below ground.

Women in Construction Week runs from March 2-8, 2025. The city aims to recognize contributions made by women like Almy during this period.