The City of Round Rock is investing more than $400 million into road improvements in the next five years, fast-tracking dozens of major projects to widen key corridors, add critical connections and reduce traffic congestion. This aggressive, forward-thinking approach ensures the City’s infrastructure keeps pace with continued growth.
Behind the scenes of this massive effort are dedicated professionals like Chief Construction Inspector Eddie Imken, who help turn plans into pavement and ensure the City’s investments deliver real results for drivers.
Imken has spent the past 31 years serving the City of Round Rock, starting in the City’s Water and Wastewater Divisions before moving to Transportation. He wears many hats, collaborating on plan reviews for key City projects and staying closely involved during construction—overseeing jobs with both City staff and contracted professionals.
Cities like Round Rock depend on contractors to handle the scale and expertise required for major projects, and Imken builds strong relationships to navigate inspections smoothly and ensure effective on-site collaboration.
“Those relationships and that communication are key to getting these jobs done on time, on budget,” Imken said. “We need to know they’re on our side and we’re on their side.”
His job oftentimes has him outside, moving about, on one job site or another. However, there are times when he’s indoors, handling permit applications, documentation and project coordination.
“The reason I like doing what I’m doing is there’s never a day that’s the same [as before],” he said. “It’s never a cookie-cutter day.”
At times he supervises, but he’s not shy about filling in when needed. Taught to lead by example, Imken is keen to pay forward the lessons he learned from those who came before him.
“It’s very important that I pass on the knowledge and experience that I have… pass it on to the next generation,” he said. “It helps them to keep it moving. It’s really cool to be a mentor. I take a lot of pride in that.”
Imken paints, does metalwork – building custom barbecue smokers – and has sculpted pieces for City parade floats. He enjoys finding creativity in his work: from incorporating gentle curves into sidewalk projects to custom details in road projects.
“There’s always creativity in everything you do,” he said. “There’s certain aesthetics you want. When we build these roadways, we want a look.”
Only 24 when he began with the City, he’s since made longtime friends in varying circles around town, and his son, Lane, has joined him as an employee in the Planning and Development Services office.
He says the best part of working for the City is the team — a group he considers his own family. He enjoys sharing his appreciation through heartfelt gestures, like preparing homemade meals to share with his coworkers.
“I never thought 30 years ago, I’d be sitting here today,” Imken said. “But something about this just stuck with me.”
“All in all, this city has been really good to me,” he added. “I couldn’t think of any other career that I would want to do. I am so proud of all of it.”
