Mario Orso

Caltrans - District 11

Mario Orso was appointed in September 2008 as the Corridor Project Director for the Trade Corridor projects for Caltrans, District 11 and is part of the District 11 Executive Team that oversees goods movement projects and border issues. Currently, Mario is Mario is responsible for delivery of the District's Trade Corridor projects and Imperial County Interstate 8 rehabilitation projects, valued at more than $1.2 billion, which includes the new East Otay Mesa Port of Entry and State Route 11 as well as 40 miles of reconstruction of Interstate 8 along Imperial County. He leads a team of Caltrans and San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) staff members and coordinates with multiple public and private agencies to meet the aggressive schedules of these crucial goods-movement projects. Mario has 28 years of experience with Caltrans, having worked his way through the ranks from a junior civil engineer to his current appointment after earning his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from San Diego State University. In addition, Mario holds a Professional Engineers Registration in the State of California and has completed the Project Management Certificate Program that Caltrans in partnership with Sacramento State University offer. Along the way he has made his mark as the District's First Native American Liaison, the Intergovernmental Review Branch Chief and Project Manager for Imperial County and the Port Access Projects in San Diego County.