FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 3, 2014

CONTACT: David E. Oxley, Executive Director

Honoring Minnesota’s Feats of Engineering

Minneapolis, MN– Engineering matters. Every day, largely unseen to the general public, engineers work to make the world safer, better, cleaner, more efficient. If they’re doing their job right, most people don’t even notice the work that engineers do. On January 31, theAmerican Council of Engineering Companies of Minnesota (ACEC/MN) took a night to shine a light on that important work at its 2014 Engineering Excellence Awards. The 47th annual such gathering, it’s

the consulting engineering community’s chance to recognize the high caliber work being done in Minnesota and surrounding areas.
Entries were judged on the basis of their originality and innovation; future value to the engineering profession; social, economic and sustainable design considerations; complexity; and how well theymet the client’s needs. There are two tiers of awards: Grand, which is the highest honor, and whose recipients are eligible to compete for recognition at the national level, and Honor.
“Wastewater Treatment facilities and Interceptor Improvement projects, bridges, dams and airport runways don’t make the front page, but they are absolutely essential to our everyday lives,” ACEC/MN President Avo Toghramadjian, Isthmus Engineering, said. “These outstanding projects directly impacted the quality of life for the people of Minnesota, and it’s important that we recognize and celebrate those achievements.”
“This year, 17firms submitted 21 truly outstanding projects,” ACEC/MN Executive Director David E. Oxley said. “The evening was a wonderful opportunity to highlight the diverse and important work they do to keep our cities, counties and our state going strong. They provide outstanding service not just to their clients, but the broader community.”
For the first time this year, ACEC/MN awarded a Grand Conceptor Award to the top project based on overall scoring as determined by the distinguished panel of judges. The inaugural winners were Jacobs Engineering and TKDA for the TH 169/I-494 Interchange Reconstruction project.
The awards banquet also recognizes a “People’s Choice Award” winning project, voted on by the engineers and clients in attendance at the event. The 2014 People’s Choice Winner was Braun Intertec for the Trunk Highway 13/101 Design Build project.

- MORE-

The 2014 Engineering Excellence Grand Award winners are:

FirmProject

Braun Intertec CorporationTH 13/101 Design/Build
Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc./TKDATH 169/I-494 Interchange Reconstruction
Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH)Princeton Wastewater Treatment Facility

SRF Consulting Group, Inc.USACE Lock and Dam No. 3 Improvements

TKDAVan White Memorial Boulevard

WSB & Associates, Inc.North-South Corridor with Railroad Overpass

Yaggy Colby Associates2nd Street SW Street Reconstruction, Phase 2

In addition to the 7 Grand award winners, 14projects received Honor awards. Those recipients are:
FirmProject

Bolton & Menk, Inc.City of Fairmont Lair Road Bridge Improvements

Bolton & Menk, Inc.City of Jordan Rice Street Bridge Reconstruction

Bolton & Menk, Inc.Upper Sioux Community Wastewater Treatment Improvements

Brown and Caldwell/CNA Consulting EngineersVictoria Interceptor Sewer Tunnels

Encompass, Inc.1200 On The Mall/ LaSalle Plaza Redevelopment

HNTB Corporation/Olson & Nesvold EngineersLyndale Avenue Replacement Bridge

HNTB CorporationMinnesota State Aviation System Plan

I & S Group/Braun Intertec CorporationSibley Park Apartments

Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.MAC North Side Storm Sewer

Kadrmas, Lee and Jackson, Inc.Phelps Mill Bridge Restoration
Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH)Lakewalk East Extension, Phases 4 and 5
Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH)Red Jacket Bridge Pier Replacement
URS/TKDAUnion Depot

WSB & Associates, Inc.College Drive Reconstruction

For project descriptions and pictures, please contact David Oxley in the ACEC/MN office.

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Minnesota (ACEC/MN) , formed in 1949, is a statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the consulting engineering profession, promoting the private enterprise system and protecting the general public. ACEC/MN’s 120 member firms, representing over 4,500 employees, provide services to all segments of society, including federal, state and local governments, private industry and the public.

-30-

10201 Wayzata Blvd., Suite 240

Minnetonka, MN 55305

P: 952-593-5533 F: 952-593-5552