After graduating from university as a traffic engineer, Abhishek Radadiya was eager to apply an engineering approach to the traffic management industry. “Traffic management allows me to contribute to public safety while being part of something bigger – New Zealand’s growing infrastructure.”

Abhishek’s journey began on the ground. “My first role was traffic controller, then site traffic management supervisor, where I gained hands-on experience with on-site operations, crew scheduling, and basic Traffic Management Plan (TMP) drafting. It laid the foundation for my transition into planning.” Before joining Higgins, he worked as a TMP Leader, building his expertise in designing and submitting TMPs to the Christchurch City Council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, coordinating with site crews, and using planning software to create detailed layouts and detour strategies.

Abhishek says he enjoys the problem-solving aspect – every site presents a unique challenge. “I also appreciate the impact we have on public safety and the collaborative nature of the work. Seeing a plan come to life and keep both workers and road users safe is incredibly rewarding.”

Abhishek joined Higgins Christchurch to take on the role of Traffic Management Planner. He says he chose Higgins for its strong reputation in infrastructure, commitment to safety, and supportive team culture. “I saw an opportunity to grow in traffic management, and the people make Higgins special. Higgins believes in a team-first environment and offers good career development.” His career journey is supported by training programmes, certifications, mentorship from experienced people and engineers, and opportunities to lead complex projects. “These have been helping me through challenges of the role, like last-minute changes to site conditions, tight approval timelines, and balancing safety with operational efficiency.”