Engineering Excellence Awards

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.

ACEC of Arizona 38th Annual Engineering Excellence Awards

Request for Judges - Application

Deadline: Please Respond by Friday, August 10, 2018

“Thank you” Judges and Sponsors of the 38th Annual Engineering Excellence Awards!

JUDGES:  Catherine Alcorn, Quinn Castro, Andrew DiLeo, Duane Eitel, Jessica Fly, Baird Fullerton, Andrew Haines, Larry Hanson, Chaun Hill, Doug Peters, Kevin Roberts, Paul Scott, and Elijah Williams.

SPONSORS:  AECOM; Amec Foster Wheeler; AZTEC Engineering Group, Inc.; City of Phoenix Public Works Department; Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.; Coffman Specialties, Inc.; T.Y. Lin International; Entellus, Inc.; Gannett Fleming, Inc.; HDR Engineering, Inc.; Speedie & Associates, Inc.; and WSP, USA

2018 Award Recipients

2018 Judge’s Choice Award

CVL Consultants, Inc.

City of Peoria 

Primus Line Installation: Thunderbird 16-Inch Water Main Rehabilitation

Multiple failures on the City of Peoria’s 16-inch PVC water main in Thunderbird Road at AZ Loop 101 prompted the City to address the water main issue to prevent any future leaks. These past failures not only caused a service interruption to area customers, but also created significant traffic backups and even a closure at the Loop 101 interchange. After review of rehabilitation & replacement options, the City selected the Primus Line System presented by CVL Consultants because of its unique capability to fully restore the integrity of approximately 1,300 linear feet of water main with limited open trench excavation and the elimination of significant permitting efforts, major disruption to traffic from lane closures, an estimated three-month construction period, and large costs. With the lining procedure completed in only 16 minutes and the construction duration from start to finish approximately two weeks, this innovative solution was not only the economical answer to the City’s needs, but has laid the foundation for cities, engineers, and contractors to tackle water, wastewater, or storm drain pipeline rehabilitation projects located in high traffic roadways with multiple utility conflicts quickly and for less cost. Thank you, CVL Consultants for your ingenuity, keen eye on the bottom line, and community first focus.

2018 Grand Award

AECOM

Town of Oro Valley

Lambert Lane: Rancho Sonora Drive to La Canada Drive

The Lambert Lane: Rancho Sonora Drive to La Canada Drive project is an outstanding example of engineers nailing success through design and construction. The $7 million arterial roadway project not only greatly improved the safety and capacity of a critical east to west roadway in the rapidly developing Oro Valley, but also achieved the Town’s aesthetic goals by delivering a visually stunning gateway to the area through the construction of new soil nail walls. As a multi-modal community, the design also provided for bike lanes, sidewalks, a dirt trail connection to the local park, bus pull-outs, and a multi-use pathway connecting adjacent facilities. Thank you, AECOM for nailing success for the Town of Oro Valley.

2018 Grand Award

AZTEC Engineering Group, Inc.

Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)

I-10/SR303L System Traffic Interchange Phase II

The recently constructed I-10/SR303L System TI enhances the traveling experience at this important section of the I-10 corridor, providing a vital link to the communities in and around the City of Goodyear and propelling economic development potential to the region. Fulfilling the vision set forth by MAG, the “Gateway to the West Valley” is a critical component of the 40-mile SR303L providing system continuity to I-17 to the north and connectivity to the metropolitan Phoenix area. Thank you, AZTEC Engineering Group, for decreasing commute times for nearly 70,000 citizens in the City of Goodyear and helping to propel economic development in the West Valley.

2018 Grand Award

LSW Engineers Arizona, Inc.

Banner Health Development and Construction 

Banner Thunderbird Medical Center AHU-16

When Banner Thunderbird Medical Center was forced to close four operating rooms on account of the existing air handling unit’s inability to maintain or control code-required humidity ranges during Arizona’s summer monsoon conditions, LSW Engineers was there to provide the most efficient and economical solution. Recommending the addition of a dedicated air unit to pre-condition the outside air utilized by the existing air handling unit, the new air handler connects directly to the outside air intake on the existing unit and operates only during monsoon season and other periods of high relative humidity, thus reducing energy usage and costs. Thank you, LSW Engineers for insuring the comfort and well-being of Banner Thunderbird Medical Center’s patients and staff.

2018 Grand Award

Ritoch-Powell & Associates

Flood Control District of Maricopa County

115th Avenue/Union Hills Drive Drainage Improvement

With a need for modifications to the existing channel, storm drain system, and detention basins to mitigate frequent storm water in this busy urban corridor, the goal of Ritoch-Powell & Associates was to capture the 100-year storm event flows from the contributing watershed and safely discharge runoff into the Agua Fria River thus providing much needed flood protection to community residents and businesses. With significant cost savings achieved by the use of existing storm water facilities, allowed use of precast structures and pipe solutions, LID, and negotiating right-of-way dedication from the adjacent land owners, this project not only satisfied the client, but also satisfied a community by engaging members in an extensive public outreach program that offered regular updates on progress and opportunities for input. Thank you, Ritoch-Powell & Associates for providing immediate benefits to the community and environment by eliminating flood hazards, ensuring future assets by increasing property values, and reducing flood insurance requirements for residential and commercial developments.

2018 Grand Award

Structural Grace, Inc.

Pinal County

Valentine Road Bridge Replacement

Structural Grace tackled a unique challenge when enlisted by Pinal county to evaluate a 20 ft wooden bridge in which the origin and age could not be documented beyond its visible attributes of wood, stone masonry, and concrete. Without plans or as-builts for the approximately 60-year old structure with a load limit of five tons housed in the community of Dudleyville, Structural Grace proposed an innovative bridge alternative calling for the utilization of a modified Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil-Integrated Bridge System. With only the existing superstructure needing to be removed using this new approach, slab girders were installed quickly, the historic stone abutment and wingwalls were preserved, and no construction within the waterway was required. Thank you, Structural Grace for your innovative approach to bridge replacement that resulted in cost savings to Pinal County and greater safety to the citizens of Dudleyville.

2018 Grand Award

Wilson & Company, Inc.

City of Peoria

New River Trailhead at Fletcher Heights

Incorporating cooperative funding, a unique spoke and wheel design, and innovative use of materials to overcome challenges related to connectivity, accessibility, topography, drainage, and utilities, the New River Trailhead at Fletcher Heights presents highly desirable enhancements to the health, safety, and welfare to the City of Peoria. Including exercise and stretching areas, benches and bike stands, a large shaded ramada, lighting, landscaping, a chilled drinking fountain, trash and recycling containers, and a dog station, this previously unused, unpaved lot has been transformed into a noteworthy destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families alike. Thank you, Wilson & Company for your contribution to an integral asset in the City of Peoria’s Parks and Trail system.

2018 Honor Award Winners

Entellus, Inc.

Client: Pinal County

Project Name: Kelvin Bridge Replacement

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.

Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.

Client: City of Chandler

Project Name: Alma School Road/Chandler Boulevard Intersection Improvements

Through proactive planning and coordination, this project not only met the aggressive construction schedule, but will lessen congestion and reduce accidents for years to come.

Ninyo & Moore

Client: Flood Control District of Maricopa County

Project Name: White Tanks Flood Retarding Structure No.4 Rehabilitation

With a 100-year lifespan, 50,000 Maricopa County residents downstream of this project can live in comfort knowing that dam safety protection will be in place for generations.

2018 Peoples’ Choice Award

Entellus, Inc.

Client: Pinal County

Project Name: Kelvin Bridge Replacement

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.

2018 Clifford C. Sawyer Achievement Award

Structural Grace, Inc.

Client: Pinal County

Project Name: Valentine Road Bridge Replacement

The Valentine Road Bridge Replacement panel board designed by Structural Grace visually documents the innovative techniques utilized to preserve a piece of Pinal County’s nearly forgotten history. From the humble, single-span wooden bridge discovered in Pinal County’s inventory that had gone long uninspected on account of its length of only 20 ft to the implementation of the Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil-Integrated Bridge System for the new substructure, the panel board captures the journey from Arizona’s engineering past to the modern day. Thank you, Structural Grace for a panel board that celebrates innovation while honoring the aesthetic history of the Valentine Road Bridge.