2009 Engineering Excellence Awards Winners
Thank you to all the entrants of the 2009 Engineering Excellence Awards. While all the entries were outstanding, this year's winners are:
ACEC of Arizona LEAP (Leadership in Engineering Administration Program)
Because we did not receive any nominees for the “Professional Development Award” this year, this special one-time recognition replaces that award.
Before the turn of the millennium, a team of futuristic ACEC of Arizona principals led by Stan Turney embarked on a career development program designed for upwardly mobile young professionals working in Arizona’s consulting engineering industry. A program to help us develop successful business leaders who consistently please our clients and create value for our firms. Team member Ken Feyen dubbed the program LEAP … The Leadership in Engineering Administration Program.
Under the tutelage of Bill McMullen the first LEAP class commenced in January of 2000. A total of 241 students have completed the LEAP program over the past 10 years. The success and sustainability of the program can be attributed to one man. Thank you to Bill McMullen, P.E. for his commitment to engineering excellence!
The Clifford Sawyer Achievement Award
For Promoting Communication of Engineering Excellence
Judges were swept away by the Water Tower Plaza panel created by J2 Engineering and Environmental Design. The photos accurately depict the project story in a well balanced and inviting display of color and action.
The water tower is the focal point but the viewer is also attracted to the fun water activity surrounding the tower. The description block consisting of only 185 words conveys the challenges faced by the project and the photos capture the successful solution.
Thank you J2 Engineering and Environmental Design for this visually exciting portrayal of engineering excellence!
Judges Choice Award
URS Corporation
Client: Freeport-McMoRan Corporation
United Verde Acid Rock Drainage
In steep, rugged terrain near Jerome, the United Verde Mine began operation in 1876. Over a hundred years later it became necessary to design facilities to manage acid rock drainage consisting of mine-impacted storm water and drainage from underground workings at the mine. The URS design team reduced the volume of acid rock drainage by diverting upstream flows, isolating mineralized rock from contact with storm water, and reestablishing a clean water channel. The unique project was completed ahead of schedule and was lauded by the residents and visitors of Jerome who gained use of a landscaped parking lot, an emergency helipad, new water and sewer lines, and a new equipment maintenance shop on the project site.
Thank you URS Corporation for your engineering ingenuity to protect a valuable water resource!
2009 Engineering Excellence Award Winning Projects
GHD, Inc.
Client: City of Scottsdale
Downtown Scottsdale Booster Station
In addition to the practical need for a pump station, the City of Scottsdale had a vision that incorporated the existing Horseshoe Falls art feature and acted as a public destination. The Downtown Booster Stations most striking visual feature is the extraordinary CMU walls and building construction. The slanting walls represent southwestern cliffs. The water feature and glass tiles at their bases embody water seeping through the bottom of the cliffs. The pattern on top of the walls emulates a traditional Navajo blanket.
Thank you GHD for embracing sustainability and aesthetics!
Project Engineering Consultants, Ltd.
Client: City of Phoenix
35th Avenue and Peoria Avenue Pipe Bursting Project
PEC developed plans for the static pipe burst using No-Dig vitrified clay pipe, an inert product with a life expectancy of over 100 years. The pipe bursting benefits included a shortened construction schedule, reduced social-economic impact, less disruption to traffic, and reduced carbon emissions. The static pipe bursting installation was the first in the United States to accomplish a maximum drive of 448 feet using VCP and the first to perform a double up size pipe burst with VCP.
Thank you Project Engineering Consultants for your innovation and saving $2.6 million in project costs!
Stanley Consultants
Client: Arizona Department of Transportation
HOV Bridges Hurdle Obstacles – Including Their Own Superstructure
Stanley designers configured the pre-cast pre-stressed concrete fly-over bridges using only two span lengths – 102’ and 126’. Design and construction was greatly simplified by using three nearly identical, level, post-tensioned straddle bents to carry the bridges over the freeway. However, each straddle bent supports only one of two bridges passing over it. Pedestals constructed atop the straddle bents transfer just one superstructure load to the substructure. The other superstructures do not touch.
Thank you Stanley Consultants for this clever separation technique which is the first of its kind in Arizona!
Carollo Engineers, P.C.
Client: City of Yuma
Agua Viva Water Treatment Facility Final Phase
The Agua Viva WTF is the first membrane water treatment facility to be permitted through the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. This is a positive example of how regulators and the regulated community can collaborate to learn about new technologies such as chlorine dioxide pre-oxidation and membrane filtration. A dissolved air flotation process was also employed to treat waste streams from the membrane filtration process, which is the first application of its kind in the country.
We thank Carollo Engineers for removing the barriers to implementing new technology!
Parsons Brinckerhoff
Client: Valley Metro Rail, Inc.
METRO Light Rail System
METRO, a new 20-mile light rail system that runs at grade along the center of city streets, links downtown Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa. It is the longest in-street-running light rail system in the United States and the second largest public works project in Arizona history. The project includes an innovative predictive priority traffic control system for 149 signalized intersections, customized station design, preservation of existing drainage patterns, and an embedded rail section designed for durability.
METRO riders thank Parsons Brinckerhoff and their team for this safe, sustainable transit system!
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.
Client: City of Phoenix Streets and Transportation Department
Isaac Middle School Pedestrian Bridge
The bridge which spans 135 feet is inspired by geometric images of parrots painted on prehistoric Native American pottery. The steel mesh cage and supports form the head and wings of a Scarlet Macaw flying in opposite directions. The brightly colored relief pictures on the bridge columns tell the story of ancient traders. The bus shelter features ceramic mosaics and shade screens perforated with the images of agave leaves.
Thank you to Jacobs Engineering Group for collaborating with artist Rosemary Lonewolf and Bison Contracting Co. to provide students a safe and creative route to school!
J2 Engineering and Environmental Design
Client: Town of Gilbert
Water Tower Plaza
Relating the plaza space scale to the immense water tower included mimicking the tower in other site features such as bike racks, benches, entry monuments, and water features. Hardscape was enhanced with pavement reflecting the shadow pattern cast by the tower’s structure and guy wires. A circular ground spray water feature is reflective of the storage tank. A five-ton black granite sphere floats on a cushion of water at one corner and spanning above the sphere is a steel runnel.
Congratulations J2 Engineering and Environmental Design for celebrating the past and future in one visual engineering experience!