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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 5 Honor Awards were given in three categories, as follows:
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
TENG & ASSOCIATES, INC.
FAA Airport Traffic Control Tower and Base Building
at Indianapolis International Airport
Owner: Federal Aviation Administration - Great Lakes Region, ANI-440
Consultants: Hanscomb Associates, Inc., Chicago; Patriot Engineering and Environmental, Inc., Indianapolis, IN; Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin Inc., Guelph, Ontario, Canada
 The new Airport Traffic Control Tower and Tracon Base Building at the Indianapolis International Airport responds to the needs of a growing passenger and air cargo transport industry in the Central Indiana Region.
The implementation of a single, central "Super-Column" and radiating truss system for the support of the cab roof allowed for the elimination of all perimeter supports and mullions. A continuous butt-glazed ribbon window was created to provide a 360 degree, un-obstructed view of the airport.
The new tower will dramatically improve the capacity and safety of the
airport.
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
WILLETT, HOFMANN & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum Suspension Bridge
Owner: Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum / Rockford Park District
Consultants: Teng and Associates, Inc., Chicago
 Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum, a Rockford Park District Facility, began planning to reconstruct the suspension bridge across Kent Creek built by Robert Tinker in 1891 shortly after it was razed in 1976. The Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the bridge was an important feature of the site.
Because of the structure's historical significance, it was critical to the Museum that the new bridge be as much like the original as possible in appearance and movement, while meeting modern structural and safety requirements. Willett, Hofmann and Associates was contracted by the Rockford Park District in 2001 to design the new bridge. Construction began in October 2004 and was completed in June 2005.
The reconstructed bridge establishes the look and feel of the original, brings back fond memories of those who remember the bridge, and creates new memories for those crossing for the first time.
TRANSPORTATION
URS CORPORATION
Clark & Roosevelt Grade Separation Project
Owner: Chicago Department of Transportation
Consultants: Gandhi & Associates, Chicago; Delta Engineering, Chicago; Muller & Muller, Chicago; Wang Engineering, Lombard
 URS was selected by the City of Chicago, Department of Transportation to perform Phase I studies and Phase II plan preparation for the reconstruction of the Clark Street/Roosevelt Road intersection.
With the traffic studies performed by URS showing that an at-grade intersection would not perform at an acceptable level of service within the available right-of-way, URS looked at alternatives. Geometric studies were performed that would accommodate through traffic under Roosevelt Road while providing ramps from Clark Street to Roosevelt Road.
Extensive structural work was required to utilize existing caissons as much as possible for the Clark Street ramp approaches. Structural analyses were also necessary to minimize the extent of the work on the recently constructed Roosevelt Road viaduct.
Streetscape design was also incorporated into the reconstruction. Streetscape design included tree replacement, the implementation of planters on light poles and medians, and the addition of architecturally enhanced enclosure walls.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
ALFRED BENESCH & COMPANY
EDWARDS AND KELCEY
HARRY O. HEFTER, INC.
T.Y. LIN INTERNATIONAL
Chicago Skyway 2004 and 2005 Reconstruction
Owner: City of Chicago Department of Transportation
 The original Chicago Skyway was a 7.8-mile elevated toll road built in 1958 to connect the Dan Ryan Expressway to the Indiana Tollway. The south end of the Skyway consists of nearly two miles of continuous bridge and viaduct structures. By the late 1990's it became apparent that significant increases in traffic volume and exposure to the elements had deteriorated the Skyway structures. The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) implemented a $250 million improvement plan. CDOT developed an aggressive construction schedule whereby the bridge and viaduct structures would be completely reconstructed. The eastbound section of the six-lane divided toll bridge was reconstructed in 2003 and the westbound section followed in 2004. One of the major challenges was minimizing traffic disruptions to Skyway patrons, thereby minimizing adverse impacts on toll revenues. Other objectives included reducing long-term maintenance costs, improving safety and aesthetics, and improving traffic flow by modifying intersection geometrics and Skyway entrance and exit points at 106th Street.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
RMT, INC.
Solving the Sinkhole Quandary
Owner: The Mosaic Company
Consultants: B.G. Consultants, Inc., Hutchinson, KS; Golder Associates, Lakewood, CO; Ardaman & Associates, Inc., Orlando, FL; Kansas Geological Survey, Lawrence, KS
 On January 4, 2005, The Mosaic Company discovered a large sinkhole (85 feet in diameter) located 80 feet south of the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad-the major line connecting Chicago and Los Angeles. As the sinkhole expanded to 200 feet in diameter, potential safety and liability issues grew.
Mosaic's goals were to quickly stop the sinkhole's expansion and eliminate threats to the railroad and community. The company hired RMT to investigate the sinkhole's properties; develop a remedial plan for submission to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), City of Hutchinson, and BNSF railroad; and then implement the remedial strategy.
With safety and urgency in the forefront, RMT proposed several innovative solutions. The team cost-effectively remediated the sinkhole in under eight months-with no incidents to workers or the community. The concern for human safety and potential liability issues was eliminated, and the railroad has remained operational throughout.
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