The awards recognize exceptional, innovative projects that positively impact communities
03/13/2023 LEXINGTON, KY TSX,NYSE:STN
Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, has been awarded two excellence awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies Kentucky Chapter (ACEC-KY) for bridge replacement projects. The Bridging Kentucky program, which repairs and replaces deficient bridges across the state, received the ACEC Engineering Excellence Grand Conceptor Award. The US 60 Spottsville Bridge replacement project was awarded the ACEC Engineering Excellence Honor Award.
ACEC-KY's annual Engineering Excellence Awards competition recognizes engineering firms for projects demonstrating exceptional innovation, complexity, achievement, and value. The program honors the year's most outstanding engineering accomplishments across various categories. Stantec was recognized in the Structural Systems Category C as part of its annual Engineering Excellence Awards program. Projects across the state are rated on uniqueness and innovative applications; future value to the engineering profession; perception by the public; social, economic, and sustainable development considerations; complexity; and successful fulfillment of client/owner's needs.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet established the Bridging Kentucky program as a response to the state’s aging bridge infrastructure and limited funding. The program has assessed hundreds of deficient bridges and has utilized cost effective and timely solutions to meet critical community structure needs. Streamlining the project development process has decreased the timeline from four years down to 18 months and creative solutions have decreased costs by 42%.
“This program is meeting real and dire structural needs for communities in Kentucky,” said Heather Lawler, Stantec’s Bridging Kentucky program manager. “Looking for cost effective ways to meet the demands of these bridges is key as using innovative solutions that save costs allows us to help as many communities as possible.”
Stantec served as prime consultant and bridge designer on the US 60 Spottsville Bridge replacement in Henderson County, Kentucky. Built in 1931, the Spottsville Bridge over the Green River provides connectivity between Owensboro and Henderson. The bridge is heavily traveled by commercial semi-trucks, farm equipment, and barges along the waterway below. The bridge struggled to keep up with modern-day needs, as pier locations were challenging for barge traffic, and lack of shoulders contributed to a high crash rate.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet initiated replacing the structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridge in 2013. Stantec was selected to lead the design. With project goals of developing a safe, economical, and efficient solution, the project team initiated a bridge-type study that identified a modified Warren truss bridge. River navigation considerations drove the decision to locate the piers out of the water, which necessitated extending the bridge deck length. Situated in a rural farming community, accommodating farm machinery and large trucks were essential.
“We are honored to receive this award and to implement this bridge that is essential to our local infrastructure,” said Sam King, Stantec project manager. “It was incredible to have the community heavily involved with the project, providing valuable input and supportive collaboration.”
The new bridge, constructed parallel to the existing bridge, opened to traffic in August 2022. Wider lanes, the addition of shoulders, and an unobstructed navigation channel below make the Spottsville Bridge a safe river crossing. The original bridge was demolished and removed in late 2022.
About Stantec
Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That's why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind.
We care about the communities we serve—because they're our communities too. This allows us to assess what's needed and connect our expertise, to appreciate nuances and envision what's never been considered, to bring together diverse perspectives so we can collaborate toward a shared success.
We're designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe.
Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN.
Media Contact
Ben Carter
Stantec Media Relations
Ph (813) 326-9221
ben.carter@stantec.com
