Douglas County engineer named county engineer of the year

The 2026 County Engineer of the Year Award went to Douglas County engineer Aaron Simmons who has been working at the county for more than two decades.

The County Road Administration Board awarded Simmons on Monday at this year's Washington State Association of County Engineers in Longview.

The award goes to engineers demonstrating "exceptional leadership, engineering expertise, community engagement, industry involvement, and dedication to advancing county transportation systems," according to a Douglas County news release.

Simmons recently headed the McNeil Canyon Road realignment project which rerouted a section of the roadway to improve sight distances for motorists, added guardrails and new travel lanes with shoulders.

And in 2025, Simmons led the replacement of the Upper Pearl Hill Bridge after it was damaged in the 2020 Pearl Hill Fire, having sustained significant structural damage.

Simmons also provided his expertise throughout 2024 and 2025 when he accompanied federal and state representatives to Washington D.C. to advocate for the Wenatchi Landing Project, which would develop 317 acres on both sides of Highway 2 east of the Odabashian Bridge.

U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray jointly secured $10 million in federal funding for the project.

"This is such a surprise to me because anytime I talk to anybody in this group, I always think, 'I need to be more like them,'" Simmons said at the event. "I need to step it up and really hit higher notes because everyone in this room is fantastic. I learn so much from this group. Thank you all. I appreciate you all so much."

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