HDR Earns 4 ASCE Outstanding Civil Engineering Awards

Four HDR projects recently won 2024 Outstanding Civil Engineering Awards from the American Society of Civil Engineers. The EchoWater Advance Wastewater Treatment Program Management won the OCEA Silver Award. Additionally, the Fern Hollow Emergency Bridge Replacement, I-91 Rockingham Bridges and Interstate 4 Ultimate Improvement projects earned OCEA Honor Awards.

The OCEA awards recognize civil engineering projects nationwide that showcase state-of-the-art engineering, make substantial contributions to local and regional communities and advance the civil engineering profession.

EchoWater Advance Wastewater Treatment Program: Silver Award

The Sacramento Area Sewer District’s EchoWater Advance Wastewater Treatment Program Management is a $1.67 billion water treatment plant and represents the District’s largest upgrade since the 1970s. It not only delivers cleaner water for discharge into the Sacramento River, but also opens doors for potential recycled water use. Given the agricultural landscape surrounding the District, removing harmful organic compounds like nitrates and ammonia is crucial. The project achieves 99% removal of these contaminants, providing both environmental protection and sustainability.

Fern Hollow Emergency Bridge Replacement: Honor Award

The Fern Hollow Bridge Emergency Replacement Pittsburgh was initiated after the bridge’s sudden collapse in January 2022. The project aimed to rapidly restore this critical transportation link using a design-build approach. Completed in just over 10 months, the new 460-foot-long bridge enhances vehicular and pedestrian multimodal connectivity, addressing community needs for safer access and mobility. The project exemplifies effective collaboration and innovation under emergency conditions.

I-91 Rockingham Bridges: Honor Award

The I-91 Rockingham Bridges project in Vermont involved replacing two aging, heavily trafficked bridges known as the “High Bridges.” The project utilized innovative design-build methods, including haunched spliced precast girders, to enhance constructability and reduce costs. Despite significant challenges such as tight site constraints and harsh winter weather, the project was completed in 2021. The finished bridges will provide long-term connectivity and safety, designed for a 100-year service life, featuring wider lanes and improved durability.

Interstate 4 Ultimate Improvements Project: Honor Award

The Interstate 4 Ultimate Improvement Project transformed 21 miles of Interstate 4 through Orlando by reconstructing and widening the highway. This included adding four express toll lanes, reconstructing 15 major interchanges and updating 140 bridges. Completed in 2021, the project alleviates congestion, enhances safety and improves connectivity with features like dynamic tolling and aesthetic enhancements. This initiative showcases the effective use of the design-build-finance-operate and maintain model to achieve significant transportation improvements.