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HONOR AWARDS are given for those projects which are recognized for exceptional engineering that meet the needs of the client and benefit the public welfare. This year 13 Honor Awards were given in five categories, as follows:
BUILDING / TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS
KJWW ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
Grand River Center
Owner: City of Dubuque
Consultants: HOK Sport + Venue + Event, Kansas City; Steven Ulstad Planners, Dubuque;
MSA Professional Services, Dubuque; WJHW, Dallas
 KJWW Engineering Consultants served as the mechanical, electrical, technology, and structural engineer for design of the new Grand River Center, located along the banks of the Mississippi River. This 118,500 square-foot state-of-the art conference and events center is part of the America's River, a $188 million redevelopment of the riverfront in downtown Dubuque, Iowa.
This mostly glass facility cantilevers over the Mississippi River offering breathtaking views while serving the needs of groups from as small as 10 to more than 3,000. It represents a state-of-the-art facility integrating innovative, energy-efficient system design. It's unique application, flexible occupancy load, and pre-existing site conditions produced many challenges for which this project demonstrates the use of different technologies, techniques, and equipment to meet the owner's needs for high-tech and secure building systems, energy-efficient and low maintenance operating systems, and systems adaptable to support future needs. The system designs lowered energy consumption, which in turn reduced energy demand and use of the earth's natural resources. The project was completed $3 million under budget and ahead of schedule.
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
ALFRED BENESCH & COMPANY
Riverdale Emergency Bridge
Owner: Metra
 On Sunday June 22, 2003, a major fire destroyed a 260-foot long timber and steel trestle bridge in Riverdale, Illinois. This caused a loss of service on Metra's Electric District Line, disrupting the commute of thousands. Metra promised their commuters a quick return of service with a preliminary estimate of full operation of the line within 10 days.
Planning and design of a temporary structure started immediately and proceeded concurrently with the removal of the remains of the bridge. In 2001, Benesch had completed a design for a permanent replacement structure consisting of two through plate girder spans supported on concrete abutments. Foundation footings for 3 of the 4 new abutments were built prior to the fire. Therefore, it was decided to construct a temporary four span steel bridge utilizing the new concrete foundations.
The double track temporary bridge was completed swiftly, with full service resuming in eight days.
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
CONSOER TOWNSEND ENVIRODYNE ENGINEERS, INC.
Chicago Skyway High Bridge
Owner: City of Chicago, Department of Transportation, Bureau of Bridges & Transit
Consultants: Branco & Zroka Engineering, Chicago; Shah Engineering, Chicago; Soodan and Associates, Chicago
 As the Skyway High Bridge approached 50 years in age, it was due a major rehabilitation. A year 2000 inspection determined that major repairs were required on the twin trusses, including the replacement of over 50 non-redundant truss members. In order to minimize impacts on commuters, CTE worked with the City to ensure that the rehabilitation was performed under full live load while traffic traveled overhead.
The rehabilitation used an innovative temporary strongback system, rather than traditional shoring towers to replace the non-redundant truss members. The strongback system was preferred due to excessive heights and obstacles such as hi-voltage power lines, busy city streets and railroads, and the Calumet River. The strongback system used steel brackets and four high-strength rods to carry the load while the truss members were removed. A carefully sequenced work plan, including continuous monitoring of loads, was created to ensure work proceeded safely.
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
CRAWFORD, MURPHY & TILLY, INC.
From Gears to Girders -- Replacement of the Shippingsport Bridge
Owner: Illinois Department of Transportation, District 3
Consultants: Phillips Environmental Service Corp., Columbia, IL; Lin Engineering, Chatham, IL
 Funding limitations and environmental concerns dictated that the seventy year old Shippingsport Bridge located in LaSalle, Illinois, be replaced on existing alignment. This necessitated closure of the existing bridge for a potential three-year construction period. CMT met the challenge of developing an economical, cost effective bridge design and an expedited two-year construction schedule.
The project, included several special features that set it apart from conventional bridge designs including utilization of new High Performance Steel (HPS 70W) in hybrid steel girders, use of a vertical Wick Drain system to accelerate predicted settlement time, and the first time inclusion of a river bridge contractor to recommend value-engineering concepts and reviews.
The $16 Million project was completed on time and on budget with change orders totaling less than one percent of the construction cost. CMT's performance on the project earned IDOT's "Excellent" performance rating for both phases of the project.
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
HDR ENGINEERING, INC.
Chicago Avenue Pumping Station - Roof Deck Replacement
Owner: City of Chicago, Dept. of Water Management
Consultants: Primera Engineers, Chicago; DLK Architecture, Chicago
 The Chicago Avenue Pumping Station Roof Deck Replacement consisted of the reconstruction of the roof system and of three cupolas to recreate the facility's appearance of the 1880s. The building's original timber roof was destroyed by the Chicago Fire in 1871 and replaced with a wrought iron supported slate shingle system that had deteriorated.
The objective of this project was to historically restore the structural, functional and aesthetic features of the roof system. The replacement of the roof system and interior ceiling required the use of specially designed components to achieve an historically sensitive rehabilitation at this landmark facility.
The renovation included the removal of 120-year-old wrought iron decking, and was accomplished through the development of new materials and unique methods of construction. A new type of record-setting ultra-light concrete was used in the roof that was developed specifically for this project. It is believed to be the world's lightest structural concrete.
WATER RESOURCES
BERNS, CLANCY AND ASSOCIATES, P.C.
Boneyard Creek Flood Control
Owner: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Consultants: Camp, Dresser & McKee, Chicago; Daily & Associates, Champaign; Henneman Raufeisen & Associates, Champaign; Joe Karr & Associates, Chicago; Midwest Engineering Services, Champaign; QST Environmental, Peoria; Service Engineering, MN
 The Boneyard Creek meanders through Champaign and Urbana, Illinois and through the heart of the Engineering College of the University of Illinois. Living up to its colorful name, the Boneyard Creek has been a concern for flooding and water quality for nearly 100 years. However, all previous attempts at a system wide solution to the problems of the "Boneyard" lacked the political backing to bring them to life.
On behalf of the University of Illinois and in cooperation with the City of Champaign, Berns, Clancy and Associates is pleased to announce the completion of the final section of Phase 1 of the Boneyard Creek Improvement Plan.
The University's 2600 feet of channel improvements reflect the project team's sensitivity to public environmental and flood control concerns. The result is a transformed Boneyard Creek that provides 100-year flood protection to the University and is now an appealing feature and vibrant natural resource.
WATER RESOURCES
CONSOER TOWNSEND ENVIRODYNE ENGINEERS, INC.
Thornton Reservoir
Owner: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Consultants: Ground Engineering Consultants, Northbrook; R.I. Geotechnical, CA; PanTechnica Corp., MN; Rubinos & Mesia Engineers, Chicago; American Surveying Consultants, Chicago
 CTE Engineers designed the Thornton Transitional Reservoir for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. The reservoir will provide flood control along Thorn Creek and the Little Calumet River by diverting up to 3.1 billion gallons of stormwater, for an average benefit of $4.2 million per year. Floodwater flows through a diversion inlet structure, drops 230 feet through a 24-foot diameter drop shaft, and flows through an 8,000-foot long, 22-foot diameter diversion tunnel into the reservoir. The only public land available for the diversion tunnel was directly under I-80/I-294, with 250-foot deep quarries on both sides. The design ensured the stability of the highway wall and the quarry operator's haul tunnels above and below the tunnel. After a storm, the reservoir will be gravity dewatered through an 8-foot diameter drainage tunnel connected to the existing TARP Tunnel and pumped to the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant for treatment and discharge to the Cal-Sag Channel.
TRANSPORTATION
BOWMAN, BARRETT & ASSOCIATES INC.
Orchard Road Grade Separation
Owner: Kane County Division of Transportation
Consultants: Hayden Bulin Larson Design Group, Chicago; Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Rosemont; Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Aurora; Schleede-Hampton Associates, McHenry
 The project is located in Aurora, Illinois, a vibrant community 40 miles west of Chicago and the 18th fastest growing U.S. city with a population over 135,000. Orchard Road is a principal arterial that continues north through Kane County and connects to the East-West Tollway, a major route into metropolitan Chicago.
The BNSF Railroad connects through Aurora to the west carrying freight into Chicago transportation hubs. The at-grade crossing at Orchard Road was unsafe and created inevitable delays. In addition, Gilman Trail, a bike/pedestrian path meandered across the project site.
The engineering challenge was to construct grade separation structures for both the railroad and bike path, while maintaining all traffic modes. Key project elements included slurry walls, shoofly track, bypass road, pump station and detention pond. The greatest highlight of the project is its notable aesthetic quality - leaf motifs, trellis lines and the colorful red accent create a community landmark.
TRANSPORTATION
PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF QUADE & DOUGLAS, INC. (Phase II Final Engineering Design)
MCDONOUGH ASSOCIATES INC. (Phase III Construction Management)
FAI 290 (Illinois 53) Thorndale Ave. to IL 58 (Golf Road)
Owner: Illinois Department of Transportation, District One
Consultants: McClure Engineering, Rockford; Singh & Associates, Chicago;
Everest Engineering, Wheaton; EJM Engineering, Chicago; Shah Engineering, Chicago
 The FAI 290 (Illinois 53) project, located in Cook and DuPage Counties northwest of Chicago, was considered a substandard facility with poor pavement conditions and highway features. Parsons Brinckerhoff was selected by IDOT to perform the final engineering and design services needed to upgrade the freeway to four (4) through lanes in each direction with shoulders and auxiliary lanes separated by a physical median and concrete barrier.
The project includes the introduction of the innovative 40-Year Extended Life Pavement Design with a depth of 44-inches. Other project highlights include unique storm sewer design to accommodate the pavement depth, wetlands avoidance, erosion control, staged construction, maintaining six (6) lanes of traffic during construction operations, safety features, bridge widening and superstructure replacements, roadway lighting, highway signing, dynamic message signing, ITS equipment installation, and other related infrastructure improvements. The project design and plan preparation tasks were accomplished over an 18 month period. The construction was completed in approximately 7-1/2 months and all lanes were open to traffic in October 2003.
TRANSPORTATION
STANLEY CONSULTANTS, INC.
I-70 Reconstruction
Owner: Illinois Department of Transportation, District 5
Consultants: Clark Engineers, Peoria; Hanson Engineers, St. Louis; Nakawatase, Wyns and Associates, Chicago; American Surveying Consultants, Dixon; KAM Engineering, Elgin
 The $74 million reconstruction of Interstate 70, one of the largest downstate interstate reconstruction projects, involved the rebuilding of 10 miles of 33-year-old pavement. The highway had outlived its original design life. Each day about 21,000 vehicles traveled the section of this major arterial, beginning approximately one mile west of Illinois Route 1 and extending easterly to the Indiana state line. Reconstruction was necessary to bring the highway up to current design standards that would provide improved safety features and reduce maintenance costs.
The project is a part of the Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) implementation of a Demonstration Project, which required the highway be reconstructed utilizing pavements designed for a 30-year life cycle. The project included several new specifications to enhance the performance and durability of the concrete pavement and structures.
The project was on an expedited schedule with design of two contract packages completed in less than eight months. Stanley Consultants, Inc., and IDOT District 5 staff worked together to design this fast-track project.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
MCCLURE ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES, INC.
The Quarter Development
Owner: City of East Moline - R.E.D.E.E.M.
Consultants: Flenker Land Architecture Consultants, IA; Terracon, Inc., IA; VandeWalle & Associates, WI
 East Moline is located on the Mississippi and did not have access areas or development potential adjacent to the river.
A partnership was formed between the City and the economic development group REDEEM. The community envisioned that the economic vitality of the City would be enhanced through the development of properties along the Mississippi River.
Nearly all riverfront land was industrial and there were concerns regarding wetlands, access, utility service and what potentially harmful materials had been disposed of before many of our current environmental regulations were in place.
The redevelopment plan Quarter was prepared and planning, engineering and execution pushed the vision forward resulting in a project that has transformed 78 acres of Brownfield into an area that combines public access and use of the river with mixed-use commercial and residential land that has created a new tax base, revitalized the downtown and provided an impetus for new development.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
V3 CONSULTANTS, LTD.
Soldier Field Redevelopment
Owner: Chicago Park District
Consultants: Lohan Caprile Goettsch Architects, Chicago; Peter Lindsay Schaudt Landscape Architecture, Chicago
 The Soldier Field Redevelopment consisted of the transformation of approximately 84 acres of land into a premier Park District facility. The site design included grading, utilities, and stormwater management for the creation of additional park space, the reconstruction of McFetridge Drive, the creation of a four lane divided arterial road (Campus Museum Drive), the renovation of the south parking lot, and creative earth management solutions.
The project included creative stormwater management design solutions in order to exceed the City of Chicago "Water Quality Initiative". The design included conveyance of the "first flush" storm to the MWRD sanitary system, providing additional detention storage to decrease the peak runoff, and installation of filters prior to storm overflow to Lake Michigan.
Foamcrete, Foam Block, and engineered fill solutions were used as light weight alternates in order to control settlement in areas where overburden on the weak, in-situ soils was an issue.
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