The American Council of Engineering Companies of Arizona Engineering Excellence Awards competition recognizes engineering firms for projects that demonstrate an exceptional degree of innovation, complexity, achievement, and value. Please join us for an evening of delicious food, amazing scenery, and award-winning projects.
Part 1: Official Entry Forms and entry fees due to ACEC Arizona via an online web portal.
Part 2: Completed entries (submitted via an online web portal and USB) and photographic display panels are due to ACEC Arizona as instructed in the Call for Entries. All materials submitted for judging become the property of ACEC Arizona and may be used in publications or other promotional. Submitted materials will NOT be returned. Materials received after August 28, 2020, will NOT be accepted.
Thank you, Judges and Sponsors, of the 39th Annual Engineering Excellence Awards!
JUDGES: Brian Davis, Keith Drunasky, Duane Eitel, Larry Hanson, Chaun Hill, Brett Howey, Brent Knezacek, Bob Mickelson, Fred Rustam, Scott Sayles, James Schleich, Jim Schumann, Benny Young
SPONSORS: AZTEC Engineering Group, Inc.; HDR; Dibble Engineering; LSW Engineers Arizona, Inc; GHD; J2 Engineering & Environmental Design, LLC; Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc.
City of Prescott
Granite Creek Dam Valve Rehabilitation
Time and budget constraints required Wood to deliver an engineer-led design-build project so complex that only an innovative, multi-phase answer would solve this City’s unique challenge. The first construction phase was a risk mitigation step necessary to stabilize the valves and minimize the risk of a valve failure during phase two of the work. This portion was completed in May of 2018. The second phase of construction began in March of 2019. One of the most interesting aspects of this project was that the dam is not accessible by land, resulting in most of the construction being staged from a barge. At various stages of the project, a crane and concrete truck were operating from the barge while divers worked in an underwater environment with low visibility. Fellow team members worked simultaneously from the dry side of the dam.
Wood’s Granite Creek Dam Valve Rehabilitation project is a resounding success… from above and below.
City of Scottsdale
Scottsdale Zone 2 Improvements
The City of Scottsdale implemented this project to improve customer service, water quality, and consolidate assets. A lack of transmission capacity resulted in low system pressures. This led the City to install 4.5 miles of 24-inch waterline, upgrade existing facilities, remove two pump stations and one 3-million-gallon reservoir. GHD met the challenge of this project in a high-profile, high-traffic area, while maintaining continuous water service. Their innovative approach of horizontal direction drilling, slip lining and open trench installation satisfied the many project stakeholders.
City of Chandler
Commonwealth Canal Promenade
The Commonwealth Canal Promenade was a key to Chandler’s long-term downtown redevelopment plans to create a “live, work, play” experience. Restoration of the Canal was a centerpiece to the Historic Square improvements. The key component was maintaining the open-flow canal structure. The project included clearing large groves of oleanders and palm roots, re-establishing the flow line and concrete lining, and constructing a canal promenade. Other improvements included an art fence, historic information panels, a courtyard, landscaping, lighting, drainage, and roadway reconstruction.
City of Tucson
Clearwell Reservoir
Tucson’s 60-million-gallon Clearwell Reservoir is Arizona’s largest potable concrete reservoir. The improvements include a new liner and roofing system; shear walls, modified structural steel, and carbon fiber wrapping for seismic resilience. Drones helped evaluate existing structural steel, and accelerated shop drawings, procurement and installation. HDR overcame the site’s mountainous location, uncertain foundation, the jurisdictional dam status, and blistering temperatures to provides 2/3 of the City with water. On time and under budget, the Clearwell Reservoir provides Tucson with clean drinking water for decades to come.
City of Prescott
Granite Creek Dam Valve Rehabilitation
The Granite Creek Dam in Prescott, AZ was constructed in 1919. Prior to this project, both valves were inoperable, leaking, and had no means of isolation. Wood delivered a three phase, design-build project for the City. With the 48” lower outlet covered by 20’ of sediment, the 48” outlet was filled with grout and abandoned. The 36” outlet was retrofitted with a new trash rack, sluice gate, 36” and 10” flow control valves, and access ladders and platforms. The project outcomes allow the City of Prescott to better control dam releases and improve management of water resources in the years to come.
DWL Architects + Planners
Sky Harbor Airport Terminal 3 Modernization
Dedicated “skin” air handling units allow for a system to address the heating and cooling loads of the glass and wall components. This system allows for interior loads and ventilation to be addressed by “right sized” units with more uniform loads. Coupling “right-sized” equipment with new ionization technology, which cleans the heavily polluted outside air, reduces energy consumption while allowing for expansive glass. Modernizing this facility with dynamic retail and dining destinations, without compromising facility operations, is a commendable testament to the LSW team’s accomplishments.
City of Mesa
Mesa Rio Salado Pathway-Stadium Connector
The Mesa Rio Salado-Stadium Connector is a 3.5-mile combination of shared use pathways and two-way cycle tracks weaving along SRP canals, the Rio Salado, and public neighborhood streets. The path creates a connection from Oakland A’s Hohokam Stadium to the Chicago Cubs’ Sloan Field. Signalized bike/ pedestrian crossings, street improvements, themed signage, custom railing, decorative seating, walls, and enhanced landscaping with water harvesting bio-swales are found throughout the route and provide an environmental and aesthetic landmark
Client: City of Scottsdale
Project Name: Crosscut Canal Path from Culver Street to McDowell Road
Client: Town of Marana
Project Name: Marana Water Reclamation Facility Expansion
Client: City of Prescott
Project Name: Prescott Regional Airport Runway 3R-21L Rehabilitation and Hot Spot No. 2 Mitigation
Client: Arizona Department of Transportation
Project Name: I-40, Devil Dog Wash
Client: Town of Gilbert
Project Name: Fiesta Tech Sewer Service & Lift Station
Client: City of Wilcox
Project Name: City of Wilcox Wastewater Treatment Plant
Client: City of Scottsdale
Project Name: Scottsdale Zone 2 Improvements
Providing safe travel for a community and a foundation for progress via future development in Pinal County, this project is a testament to preservation, perseverance, and progress.
Client: City of Chandler
Project Name: Commonwealth Canal Promenade
This unique amenity is part of a canal system pioneered by the city’s namesake, Dr. A.J. Chandler.
Today, the canal is a picturesque, pedestrian promenade showcasing our desert’s most valuable resource, water. The path showcases abstract historical imagery that transforms at night with LED backlights and is supplemented with educational plaques adjacent to each image.
Client: City of Prescott
Project Name: Granite Creek Dam Valve Rehabilitation
With limited time and budget available to maintain control of water releases, the City of Prescott wisely contracted Wood to deliver an engineer-led design-build project that would solve the City’s challenge. It included abandoning the 48” outlet, replacing the 36” gate valve with two new valves, and carefully installing a stabilizing reinforcement structure around the 48” valve.