2024 ACEC/MA Platinum Corporate Sponsors: AECOM, Donovan Hatem, Gannett Fleming, HDR, Jacobs, Michael Baker International, SLR International Corporation, Stantec, VHB, WSP
#2023EEA #EngineeringGoFigure
BOSTON, Mass. – March 29, 2024 – The American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts (ACEC/MA) announced the recipients of the 2024 Engineering Excellence Awards along with several other awards at the ACEC/MA Engineering Excellence and Awards Gala. Emcees Monica Tibbits-Nutt, CEO and Secretary, MassDOT (Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Division) and Kathy Murtagh, Director of the Tunnel Redundancy Program at MWRA presented the awards on Thursday, March 28 in a ceremony at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel in Boston, MA.
Here are the 42 projects recognized this year:
Logan Airport Terminal B to Co Connector Firm: Fennick McCredie Architecture Client: MassPort |
The new Logan Airport Terminal B to C Connector improves efficiency and connectivity for passengers, tenants, and airport operators by creating a post-security connection between Terminals B and C. The Connector was an ambitious project for which innovative, forward-thinking design was expected of a project bound by complicated existing conditions. This multi-stakeholder project was defined both by the complex details inherent in stitching together new construction elements with some of Logan’s oldest terminal space, and the big ideas that Massport envisions for Logan – namely the establishment of a seamless, post-security connection. Working on an active airfield added further complexity. |
Haverhill Bridge Replacement Design-Build Firm: HNTB Corporation & SPS New England, Inc. Client: MassDOT Highway Division |
The MassDOT Haverhill Bridge Replacement DB provided needed improvements to heavily-traveled I-495 structures. Both bridges were structurally deficient and required complete replacement to establish a safer transportation network and improve traffic operations between exits 48 and 49 on I-495. The SPS and HNTB Team’s innovative solution and seamless collaboration provided enhanced structures on-time and on-budget, despite a variety of significant challenges. |
Reconstruction East Milton Square Reconstruction Firm: Howard Stein Hudson Client: Town of Milton, MassDOT |
Howard Stein Hudson (HSH) partnered with the Town of Milton and MassDOT to provide design and engineering services for the complete reconstruction of East Milton Square. This project reconstructed and revitalized a bustling business district sitting on top of bridge deck over the southeast expressway (I-93). This complex project included adaptive signal technology, complete streets improvements, structural repairs to the bridge deck, robust community engagement, design, local and regional traffic management, construction and activation of a new park, plantings, irrigation, landscape features and traffic control devices – all installed with minimal depth for construction on top of a bridge deck. |
Main Street Bridge & US 202 Reconstruction Firm: Hoyle Tanner & Associates, Inc. Client: Town of Peterborough, NH |
The Main Street Bridge and US 202 Reconstruction project successfully preserved the cultural appeal of the Historic District by replicating the appearance of the existing bridge and retaining walls through innovative reuse of existing stone elements fused with modern engineering techniques to update the structures to current design standards. Paid for by two separate funding streams, the project included six major elements consisting of bridge replacement, canal slip lining, partial dam reconstruction, king pile retaining wall construction, boulder wall stabilization, and roadway widening. Unforeseen conditions, extreme weather, and Covid-19 were a handful of the challenges overcome to complete this project. |
BU Center for Computing & Data Sciences​ Firm: Nitsch Engineering Client: Boston University |
Nitsch Engineering worked as part of a collaborative project team to provide civil engineering, permitting, and land surveying services for Boston University’s Center for Computing and Data Sciences. Nitsch’s unique and sustainable stormwater management and permitting solutions, provided within a very complex urban site, contributed to the huge environmental achievement of this project. The CCDS is an exemplary model for future development projects in Boston as a sustainable and iconic center of learning and community that serves both the university and the public. |
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Route 9 Connected Corridor Project Firm: VHB Client: MassDOT Highway Division |
MassDOT’s Route 9 Connected Corridor Project, a result of the Signal Phase and Timing (SPaT) Challenge, was the first of its kind in Massachusetts—a 38-intersection corridor that shares traffic information with drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. VHB’s innovative team designed a Connected Vehicle communications network that is compatible with both existing and emerging technologies and remotely accessible by MassDOT for monitoring and resolving issues. MassDOT has adopted the Connected Vehicle system and its technology as the new MassDOT standard for future intersection work across the Commonwealth.
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Land Survey Project Management System Firm: BSC Group Client: MA Trail Court - Land Court Division |
In 2021, Geonetics developed and deployed a data management tool for the Massachusetts Trial Court – Land Court division to assist with managing the business processes involving the ownership, development, and use of property. The system provides an automated workflow tool to better track and maintain their operations, and involved GIS data integration and creating a custom web application and AutoCAD plugin. In October 2023, Geonetics released a new module that makes the information in the system available to the public, replacing the manual process of requesting information and documents. The system is now publicly available free of charge. |
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Reconstruction of Main Street (Route 113) Firm: BSC Group Client: Town of Dunstable |
BSC Group served as prime consultant for providing engineering design services for a roadway safety and infrastructure improvement project at Main Street (Route 113) in Dunstable. Route 113 is a critical roadway for commuters connecting northern Central and Western Massachusetts with Northeast and Metrowest Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. The roadway is situated directly between protected wetlands and a historic cemetery containing several crypts and a retaining wall immediately adjacent to the roadway, requiring vibration monitoring and careful construction phasing. The project also included the successful replacement of an aging granite culvert that was built over the course of a weekend. |
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Morton Street Intersections Improvements Firm: CHA Consulting, Inc. Client: MassDOT Highway Division |
CHA developed multimodal intersection and signal improvements for a portion of Morton Street (Route 203) in Boston at the intersections of Blue Hill Avenue, Harvard Street, and Courtland Road at Havelock Street to improve safety at a top two hundred crash site in one of the most congested metro areas on the east coast. This project included intersection safety improvements, pavement rehabilitation, signal upgrades, traffic signage upgrades, drainage improvements, and enhanced safety. CHA evaluated and improved safety and accessibility of sidewalks, crosswalks and bus stops to accommodate all modes of transportation and added bicycle lanes to improve bicycle safety. |
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Williams College Outdoor Tennis Courts Firm: CHA Consulting, Inc. Client: Williams College |
The Torrence M. Hunt ’44 Tournament Courts at Williams College are a cornerstone of collegiate tennis in Williamstown, Massachusetts, boasting 18 hard courts, including six competition courts and an additional five clay courts. The six competition courts have undergone an extensive makeover, resulting in a contemporary and accessible facility. The new courts are crafted using post-tension concrete to improve cracking resistance. A premier urethane court surface further enhances gameplay by balancing resilience and traction. New seating, a public address system, and a scoreboard amplify the spectator experience. This extensive revitalization solidifies Williams College as a premier destination for collegiate tennis. |
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Citywide Drainage and Water Quality Master Plan Firm: Dewberry Client: City of Somerville |
With the Citywide Drainage and Water Quality Master Plan as a resource, the City can thoughtfully and strategically plan for future development and environmental impacts, including wastewater overflows in adjacent water bodies and increased flooding due to climate change. Dewberry delivered a variety of scenarios to assist the city in developing an appropriate framework for a detailed, comprehensive, forward looking and practical tool for the City – to be used on an ongoing basis to inform, pollution/flood mitigation, future development and the investment approach to support those needs. |
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Weymouth Sewer Collapse Emergency Response Firm: Environmental Partners, An Apex Company Client: Town of Weymouth |
Turning Historic Infrastructure into Innovative Sewer Solutions. On September 14, 2022, the Town of Weymouth responded to a sewer collapse on Bridge Street, a high-traffic commuter route servicing commercial and residential areas. After the issue was detected at an extreme depth of 40ft, Environmental Partners was called in to assess possible connections and repair options. Though posing many challenges, the successful solution of rehabilitating a nearby, 30-year abandoned manhole saved the Town time, money, and disruption. | |||||||||||||||||
CHA - Inpatient Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Firm: Fitzemeyer & Tocci Associates, Inc. Client: Cambridge Health Alliance |
The Cambridge Health Alliance's new Center for Inpatient Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at its Somerville campus, which adds 69 beds for children, adolescents, and specialized youth neurodevelopmental care, was made possible with the MEP/FP engineering services provided by Fitzemeyer & Tocci. Totaling 60,800 SF across 6 floors, the center increases their capacity to provide first class metal health care and address the nation and state-wide shortages. The project involved the rapid transformation of 6 existing floors to accommodate 69 inpatient beds and a cafeteria. The specially designed units and engineering of the spaces prioritize patient safety and well-being. |
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Variable Message Sign Replacement Project Firm: Gannett Fleming Client: MassDOT Highway Division |
Part of MassDOT’s Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Program, Gannett Fleming provided engineering design and construction phase services for replacing and upgrading 22 non-functioning overhead Variable Message Signs (VMS) along several interstate highways and state highways throughout eastern Massachusetts. The project demonstrates that innovative thinking and analytical techniques can offer safe, cost-effective solutions that also reduce inconvenience to the public. The project introduces modern, technologically advanced equipment that helps improve communications and awareness, making our roadways safer and motorists more informed. |
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Bruce Freeman Rail Trail 2B - Concord/Acton Firm: Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. Client: Town of Concord, Town of Acton, MassDOT |
Phase 2B of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail is a pivotal connector, literally bridging the gap between Concord and Acton. The significance of the entire trail led to the passage of H. 1455 in 1989, and this complex phase is a linchpin for the trail’s ultimate realization. The bridges over Route 2 and the Nashoba Brook have been meticulously designed and executed, paying homage to the past while embracing the possibilities of the future, all while providing access to additional miles of trail and recreational havens for all. Together, we create the infrastructure people need most |
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Prescott Hall Drainage Study Firm: Jacobs Client: City of Newport, Department of Utilities |
Historically the Prescott Hall neighborhood in Newport, RI has experienced significant flooding during large precipitation events. The City contracted Jacobs to perform a drainage study to investigate the causes of flooding and identify potential mitigation measures. The project team worked with stakeholders to identify a favorable solution that addresses the wide range of priorities and constraints in this community. Alternatives were evaluated using a 2D hydraulic model and presented at a series of public workshops. The study resulted a phased implementation approach encompassing 13 projects that is estimated to reduce flooding for the 10-year, 24-hour design storm by 72%. |
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Transit Signal Priority Performance Measure Firm: Jacobs Client: MassDOT |
The Transit Signal Priority Performance Measure project, marked by interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and sustainability, stands as a testament to the potential of engineering excellence. We have created a scalable framework that empowers MBTA to monitor and enhance transit service quality for people in Greater Boston continuously. This approach is easily replicable in other regions, with low cost and independence from TSP providers, enabling transit agencies to drive data-driven decisions and encourage industry innovation. We believe it deserves special recognition for the lasting impact it will have on the future of public transportation in Greater Boston and beyond. |
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York St. Pump Station and CT River Crossing Firm: Kleinfelder Client: Springfield Water and Sewer Commission |
The Springfield Water & Sewer Commission’s $137.6 million York St. Pump Station and CT River Crossing is the cornerstone of a 40-year Combined Sewer Overflow Integrated Wastewater Plan — one of the nation’s first approved by the EPA. The project helps improve water quality through reducing the annual combined sewer overflow by over 100 million gallons during the typical year and includes new critical infrastructure. The project garnered national attention as one of the first horizontal pipeline projects in Massachusetts to warrant an Alternative Delivery method and achieved environmental benefits while providing climate resiliency, system redundancy, and infrastructure renewal. |
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Pawtucket - Central Falls Transit Center Firm: Michael Baker International Client: Rhode Island Department of Transportation |
The new Pawtucket-Central Falls Transit Center provides a robust combination of commuter rail and bus service in an emerging area of transit-oriented economic development in Pawtucket and Central Falls, Rhode Island. It allows riders to switch modes of transportation easily between commuter rail operated by the MBTA and RIPTA statewide bus network – making it easier and more convenient for many travelers to and from Boston and other destinations in Massachusetts. The project was led by contactor Barletta Heavy Division and designer of record Michael Baker International. |
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East Providence High School Firm: Pare Corporation Client: East Providence School Department |
Pare Corporation provided structural, site/civil, environmental, permitting, and traffic engineering services for East Providence High School, the first new public high school to be built in Rhode Island in over two decades. This $190-million, four-story, 307,000-SF building is truly a 21st-century educational facility. The new school accommodates 1,600 pupils in grades 9-12 and is a comprehensive high school that combines traditional educational programs with career technical pathways such as Dentistry, Nursing, Automotive, Construction, Graphic Design, Engineering and Robotics, Computer-Aided Design, Childcare, and Culinary Arts. The school was recognized as a 2023 Green Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. |
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180 CityPoint Firm: Sanborn, Head & Associates, Inc. Client: BXP |
180 CityPoint, Waltham is worthy of recognition by the ACEC/MA for the collaboration and collective engineering excellence that was displayed by the team in managing the complexities of the project. Building a 329,000 square foot building into a steeply sloped site required changes to the foundations and building design as the actual conditions of the bedrock were discovered through the course of excavation. Constant communication between the design team and the contractors facilitated the resolution of issues quickly and creatively, pushing the team to meet the goal of delivering a state-of-the-art research facility while minimizing disruptions and maintaining safe operations. | |||||||||||||||||
CambridgeSide Redevelopment Phase 1 Firm: Sanborn, Head & Associates, Inc. Client: New England Development |
The first phase of the redevelopment of CambridgeSide is deserving of special recognition due to the project’s transformative impact on the community. The project converted 160,000 SF of existing space and added 250,000 SF of new life science space that further stiches the CambridgeSide development into its Cambridge neighborhood and positions the development for years to come. The team employed innovative engineering solutions to overcome the challenges of the constrained, occupied site, coordinating extensive work while maintaining the safety of the public at all times. The project epitomizes the fusion of engineering excellence, adaptability, and social progress. |
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The First Church of Christ, Scientist Firm: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Client: The First Church of Christ, Scientist
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The First Church of Christ, Scientist (TFCCS), was seeking a comprehensive rehabilitation solution to preserve the iconic structure, The Mother Church Extension (TMCX). SGH designed repairs and replacements that addressed the roofs, facades, semi-domes, and cupola on the main dome that preserved the building’s original appearance while incorporating modern waterproofing techniques. Our goal was to provide TFCCS with a long-term solution that would minimize maintenance. The seven-year restoration project added 100 years to the building’s life and incorporated innovative solutions to preserve its original appearance. |
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Revere Beach Apartments Firm: SLR International Corporation Client: Hines Interest, LP |
The project consisted of design phase geotechnical and site engineering by SLR at the site of the proposed multifamily development located in Revere, Massachusetts. SLR developed a unique and innovative hybrid method of using geo-concrete columns for heavily loaded foundations and rammed aggregate piers under the floor slabs. Due to the building occupying the majority of the site, SLR proposed an innovative stormwater retention system located below the first-floor slab within stormwater galleries. The lower-level parking garage portion of the building was designed so that storm surge flowed through the garage. |
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The Lincoln School Firm: SMMA Client: Lincoln Public Schools |
The Lincoln School is the first projected Net-Zero public school renovation project in Massachusetts. Serving as a PreK-8 school, community gathering spot, and emergency shelter, this project intricately worked to preserve the historic architecture and update programming while eliminating the use of fossil fuels with innovative architectural and engineering solutions that use half as much energy as a similar building. This building highlights the mechanical and electrical engineering systems that will be required as we design buildings for a carbon-free future and allows the building to serve as a teaching tool to all the people that visit. | |||||||||||||||||
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