2020 ESE Projects
Engineering Eminent Conceptor Award

Tetra Tech, Inc.
The I-696 Dequindre to Nieman project involved the design of 8 miles of depressed interstate freeway including 8 urban interchanges. The project design consisted of concrete inlay construction including a recently developed specification for cement treated open graded drainage course. Innovative concepts were utilized including a corridor-wide project PDF and contractual 3D line strings. Design was on an accelerated schedule and completed in less than four months.
The I-696 Dequindre to Nieman project involved the design of 8 miles of depressed interstate freeway including 8 urban interchanges. The project design consisted of concrete inlay construction including a recently developed specification for cement treated open graded drainage course. Innovative concepts were utilized including a corridor-wide project PDF and contractual 3D line strings. Design was on an accelerated schedule and completed in less than four months.
Surveying Eminent Conceptor Award

Spicer Group, Inc.
Spicer Group completed a network-wide data collection project for MDOT’s Office of Rail for approximately 665 miles of railroad corridor. Various data collection technologies were used including Mobile Terrestrial LiDAR and rail-view imagery, Airborne LiDAR and ortho-imagery, UAV acquired ortho-imagery, and traditional RTK GNSS surveying.
Spicer Group completed a network-wide data collection project for MDOT’s Office of Rail for approximately 665 miles of railroad corridor. Various data collection technologies were used including Mobile Terrestrial LiDAR and rail-view imagery, Airborne LiDAR and ortho-imagery, UAV acquired ortho-imagery, and traditional RTK GNSS surveying.
Engineering Honorable Conceptor Awards

Ruby+Associates, Inc.
As part of the Mighty Mac’s first stripping and repainting project in over 60 years, engineers designed a custom two-story moveable steel and aluminum system that encircled the tower’s legs, and a dual steel box truss platform for the struts. At the top, a davit-like “outrigger” system supported the platforms.
As part of the Mighty Mac’s first stripping and repainting project in over 60 years, engineers designed a custom two-story moveable steel and aluminum system that encircled the tower’s legs, and a dual steel box truss platform for the struts. At the top, a davit-like “outrigger” system supported the platforms.

Prein&Newhof
Prein&Newhof and Plainfield Township did a pilot study to determine if modifying filter beds in the water treatment plant with granular activated carbon (GAC) would remove PFAS from the water. The first year of testing demonstrated that the modified filters successfully met all water treatment requirements while also removing PFAS.
Prein&Newhof and Plainfield Township did a pilot study to determine if modifying filter beds in the water treatment plant with granular activated carbon (GAC) would remove PFAS from the water. The first year of testing demonstrated that the modified filters successfully met all water treatment requirements while also removing PFAS.

The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc.
Redevelopment of a closed landfill plays a key role in Ford’s investment toward next-generation mobility. The Mannik and Smith Group evaluated the feasibility of building on a foundry sand landfill. Granger and IBI Group rounded out the design-build team. Agility in responding to Ford was critical to the project’s success.
Redevelopment of a closed landfill plays a key role in Ford’s investment toward next-generation mobility. The Mannik and Smith Group evaluated the feasibility of building on a foundry sand landfill. Granger and IBI Group rounded out the design-build team. Agility in responding to Ford was critical to the project’s success.

Conventional Treatment
AECOM
The Genesee WTP became operational as a conventional treatment plant with high-rate clarification – the first in Michigan. Pilot testing validated high-rate clarification could process low turbidity raw water for conventional treatment in various water temperatures. GCDC-WWS produces high-quality treated water in a state-of-the-art facility at reduced cost.
The Genesee WTP became operational as a conventional treatment plant with high-rate clarification – the first in Michigan. Pilot testing validated high-rate clarification could process low turbidity raw water for conventional treatment in various water temperatures. GCDC-WWS produces high-quality treated water in a state-of-the-art facility at reduced cost.

Fishbeck
Fishbeck increased the Ludington WTP’s capacity by replacing the clarifiers with a high-rate pretreatment system in the space of one clarifier and retrofitting the other with two new filters and chemical feed equipment. Fishbeck’s innovative design more than doubled capacity within the plant’s existing footprint, with additional capacity for expansion.
Fishbeck increased the Ludington WTP’s capacity by replacing the clarifiers with a high-rate pretreatment system in the space of one clarifier and retrofitting the other with two new filters and chemical feed equipment. Fishbeck’s innovative design more than doubled capacity within the plant’s existing footprint, with additional capacity for expansion.
Surveying Honorable Conceptor Award

Fleis & VandenBrink Engineering, Inc.
Creatively leveraging both ESRI & Civil3D software together with LiDAR data enabled F&V to expedite the development of a drainage area map for a new drain to support a major MDOT project. The LiDAR data was a fourfold improvement over previous data and enabled a savings of six months and $50,000.
Creatively leveraging both ESRI & Civil3D software together with LiDAR data enabled F&V to expedite the development of a drainage area map for a new drain to support a major MDOT project. The LiDAR data was a fourfold improvement over previous data and enabled a savings of six months and $50,000.
Engineering Merit Awards

Gourdie-Fraser, Inc. (GFA)
GFA led the design, public information, and construction engineering through a very aggressive schedule and challenging budget for this complete reconstruction of a vital east-west cross-town route. The new street includes major utility upgrades, new cross-walks with stormwater infiltration, streetscaping, an off-street cycle track and major traffic signal with audible beaconing.
GFA led the design, public information, and construction engineering through a very aggressive schedule and challenging budget for this complete reconstruction of a vital east-west cross-town route. The new street includes major utility upgrades, new cross-walks with stormwater infiltration, streetscaping, an off-street cycle track and major traffic signal with audible beaconing.

NTH Consultants, Ltd.
Cracks were observed in the Clinton River Water Resource Recovery Facility’s primary influent sewer line. NTH investigated causes and designed a permanent repair. Without intervention, the pipeline would have failed, creating a disaster in the surrounding community. With improvements now in place, the infrastructure will last well beyond the 50-year life span.
Cracks were observed in the Clinton River Water Resource Recovery Facility’s primary influent sewer line. NTH investigated causes and designed a permanent repair. Without intervention, the pipeline would have failed, creating a disaster in the surrounding community. With improvements now in place, the infrastructure will last well beyond the 50-year life span.

University of Michigan
SmithGroup
The Biological Sciences Building is a first-of-its-kind-facility integrating state-of-the-art science education with innovative research space and an interactive museum to engage the public and revolutionize life science research, discovery and communication.
The Biological Sciences Building is a first-of-its-kind-facility integrating state-of-the-art science education with innovative research space and an interactive museum to engage the public and revolutionize life science research, discovery and communication.

C2AE
As a first-time project owner, the Beaver Creek-Grayling Township Utilities Authority relied heavily on C2AE’s experience in water and wastewater treatment system design in order to bring new utilities to the Four Mile Road service district within a concentrated timeline. Construction ended before two major developments opened locally.
As a first-time project owner, the Beaver Creek-Grayling Township Utilities Authority relied heavily on C2AE’s experience in water and wastewater treatment system design in order to bring new utilities to the Four Mile Road service district within a concentrated timeline. Construction ended before two major developments opened locally.

Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc.
Southeastern Oakland County Water Authority with assistance from Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. rehabilitated an existing 16-inch cast-iron transmission main via compression-fit slip-lining. This trenchless technology method successfully installed over one mile of 16-inch IPS SDR 13.5 HDPE liner pipe within the existing pipeline through only four access pits.
Southeastern Oakland County Water Authority with assistance from Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. rehabilitated an existing 16-inch cast-iron transmission main via compression-fit slip-lining. This trenchless technology method successfully installed over one mile of 16-inch IPS SDR 13.5 HDPE liner pipe within the existing pipeline through only four access pits.

Parsons Transportation Group
On Michigan’s I-75 Concrete Inlay project, Parsons served as lead designer. The project had to be completed prior to construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project and expedited for the temporary closure for the Rouge River Bridge project. The successful partnering effort serves as a model of teamwork on active projects in close proximity.
On Michigan’s I-75 Concrete Inlay project, Parsons served as lead designer. The project had to be completed prior to construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project and expedited for the temporary closure for the Rouge River Bridge project. The successful partnering effort serves as a model of teamwork on active projects in close proximity.

Tyme Consulting Engineers
The future of transportation hinges around two key ITS Program priorities: realizing connected vehicle implementation and advancing automation. Future ITS builds will be made on the ITS infrastructure progress made up to this date. Engineering professions of all disciplines will benefit from this ITS infrastructure investment.
The future of transportation hinges around two key ITS Program priorities: realizing connected vehicle implementation and advancing automation. Future ITS builds will be made on the ITS infrastructure progress made up to this date. Engineering professions of all disciplines will benefit from this ITS infrastructure investment.

Spicer Group, Inc.
Spicer Group worked with the Ingham County Drain Commissioner on a project that took a holistic approach to improving 23.1 miles of the Smith Consolidated Drain in Ingham County, utilizing and improving upon the drain’s existing features, and coordinating with stakeholders to implement improvements in a cost-effective manner.
Spicer Group worked with the Ingham County Drain Commissioner on a project that took a holistic approach to improving 23.1 miles of the Smith Consolidated Drain in Ingham County, utilizing and improving upon the drain’s existing features, and coordinating with stakeholders to implement improvements in a cost-effective manner.

Wade Trim
A major roadway reconfiguration through Michigan State University’s campus is now accommodating increased traffic generated by the University’s world-class Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. The project featured a unique intersection design that rerouted standard boulevard traffic and complex construction staging to minimize impacts to the campus, natural and underground environments.
A major roadway reconfiguration through Michigan State University’s campus is now accommodating increased traffic generated by the University’s world-class Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. The project featured a unique intersection design that rerouted standard boulevard traffic and complex construction staging to minimize impacts to the campus, natural and underground environments.
Surveying Merit Award

Nowak & Fraus
NFE and NOAR Technologies combined surveying services for both the inside and outside mapping of Ford Field. The team used conventional surveying and high definition laser scanning for the collection of data to deliver precise measurements on the complex campus. Ford Field will use the model/data for future planning.
NFE and NOAR Technologies combined surveying services for both the inside and outside mapping of Ford Field. The team used conventional surveying and high definition laser scanning for the collection of data to deliver precise measurements on the complex campus. Ford Field will use the model/data for future planning.

Spalding DeDecker
Utilizing 3D Laser Scanning, Spalding DeDecker (SD) prepared Boundary and ALTA/NSPS surveys surrounding the Michigan Central Station to assist DRTP in the land sale to Ford Motor Company. SD provided property research, historical property title review, parcel splits, legal descriptions, and survey drawings, along with online 3D data viewing.
Utilizing 3D Laser Scanning, Spalding DeDecker (SD) prepared Boundary and ALTA/NSPS surveys surrounding the Michigan Central Station to assist DRTP in the land sale to Ford Motor Company. SD provided property research, historical property title review, parcel splits, legal descriptions, and survey drawings, along with online 3D data viewing.
Board Design Award
Project Entries