2026 ESE Projects
Engineering Eminent Conceptor Award
Large-Diameter Sewer Rehab - A Liner Pilot Study
NTH Consultants
The North Interceptor–East Arm rehabilitation restored a failing 17.5-foot sewer serving 800,000 residents. By installing and testing three lining systems side-by-side, the project delivered real-world performance data, overcame extreme corrosive conditions, and set a global model for sustainable, data-driven infrastructure renewal.
Surveying Eminent Conceptor Award
Aloha State Park LiDAR Survey and Study
Nowak & Fraus Engineers
Through advanced LiDAR data acquisition and analysis, Nowak & Fraus Engineers and Soils & Structures identified sources for poor surface drainage and high groundwater conditions that led to the creation of sustainable solutions to restore safe, reliable operations to 290 campsites at Aloha State Park.
Engineering Honorable Conceptor Awards
8-1/2 Mile Drain In-System Storage Device
Tetra Tech
This project reintroduces inflatable dam technology to sewer systems after 20+ years. A new supply chain and advanced controls by Tetra Tech ensure safe, adaptive operation. A bypass channel and air venting system manage flow and prevent geysering, setting a new benchmark for resilient, intelligent urban water infrastructure.
Chapaton RTB Canal Rehabilitation
Wade Trim
The Macomb County Public Works Office increased the Chapaton RTB’s capacity to reduce treated CSO discharges to Lake St. Clair as well as the risk of flooding. The facility’s open-water treatment canal was widened, deepened, and raised above the 500-year flood elevation, and operational cost savings were achieved.
Aspen Meadows Well House Improvements
DLZ
White Lake Township contracted with DLZ to improve the water quality of the Township’s municipal water supply, specifically with the removal of excessive iron at the Aspen Meadows well house. DLZ authored a Project Plan for these improvements which qualified for low interest funding under the DWSRF program.
Barry Street Realignment: A Safer Connection
Fleis & VandenBrink
For decades, Hudsonville’s offset intersections on 32nd Avenue caused confusion, congestion, and crashes. Partnering with Fleis & VandenBrink, the City realigned the roadway, built a new bridge, and created a single four-way signal. The result: safer, smoother travel and a long-awaited solution for the community.
Hoffmaster State Park Overlook Replacement
Prein&Newhof
This project replaced a historic dune boardwalk and overlook with a safe, durable, and modernized structure. Constructed atop fragile sand dunes using innovative methods and sustainable materials, it enhances public safety, supports environmental education, and preserves one of Michigan’s most iconic natural landscapes for future generations.
Tertiary Treatment Process Upgrades
Jones & Henry Engineers
Kalamazoo has taken a giant leap forward in water quality and environmental protection. By installing one of the world’s largest disc filter treatment facilities, the community ensures cleaner, safer waterways, replaces outdated sand filtration, and leads the way in tackling plastics pollution.
Wade TrimThe Michigan Department of Transportation modernized 1.5 miles of US-24 from M-5 to north of M-102 at the Detroit-Southfield border to address operational and geometric deficiencies along the busy boulevard. The corridor renewal enhanced safety and efficiency with a new diverging diamond interchange and roadway, pedestrian, and infrastructure improvements.
Surveying Honorable Conceptor Award
Preserving the Past: Cemetery GIS Integration
Fleis & VandenBrink
A fire at Cedar Creek destroyed one-third of cemetery records. Fleis & VandenBrink restored and digitalized 600 pages of deeds, certificates, maps, lot markers, drone imagery, field work, and historical research into an interactive GIS web map of over 6,000 complete and accurate plots for the past, present, and future.
Engineering Merit Awards
Erickson CCR Impoundments Closure
HDR
HDR led the clean closure of three coal ash impoundments, meeting federal and state regulations. The nine-month project included dewatering, coal ash removal, paint filter testing, microscopy, lab analysis, documentation, and engineering oversight. EGLE approved the closure in 2024, confirming all verification and environmental compliance milestones were successfully achieved.
Ives Drain Improvement Project
Spicer Group
Spicer Group led engineering and surveying for the Ives Drain Establishment and Improvement Project in Big Rapids, stabilizing a 3,416-foot eroded watercourse with a Rosgen Type B channel. They conducted topographic surveys, secured permits, and oversaw construction. Their team delivered a resilient, environmentally sensitive, and legally compliant drainage solution.
KRESA Career Connect Campus
Wightman
Wightman provided architecture, civil engineering, and surveying for a new career and technical education campus, uniting five parcels into a single site. Sustainable site systems, advanced labs, and collaborative spaces prepare students for in-demand careers. The project meets the client’s goals for innovation, community impact, and operational efficiency.
MIDDD Odor and Corrosion Control Design
Tetra Tech
Macomb County’s MIDDD system serves 600,000 residents. A 2020 study led to four odor and corrosion control facilities using biofiltration, activated carbon, and chemical injection. Strategic design, equipment reuse, and life-cycle cost analysis ensured sustainability. With over 99% odor removal and no complaints, the project quietly improves community life.
Potomac River Interceptor Crossing
Somat Engineering
Somat Engineering, Inc. conducted a pioneering geotechnical investigation for DC Water’s Potomac River Interceptor Crossing. Using helicopters to place drill rigs on mid-river rock outcroppings, crews drilled inclined borings beneath the river and performed advanced testing. The work protected national parks while ensuring safe, reliable wastewater service for the region.
St. Mary's Gardens Improvement Project
Spicer Group
Spicer Group led engineering and construction oversight for the St. Mary Gardens Subdivision Project in Monroe, upgrading storm sewers to eliminate decades of flooding and sanitary backups. Partnering with the City, the team delivered resilient stormwater infrastructure that restored neighborhood safety and provided lasting community protection.
The Rink at Stine Community Park
OHM Advisors
In the heart of Troy’s civic district, a constrained, underused site was transformed into a year-round recreation area. Featuring a mass timber pavilion, skating ribbon, pathways, and gathering areas, the Rink at Stine Community Park is a dynamic, engaging space that integrates with its natural surroundings and reflects its community’s aspirations.
Unified Sports & Inclusion Center
Fishbeck
Fishbeck and Special Olympics Michigan proudly present the first outdoor athletic complex designed for Special Olympics athletes. This world-class facility emphasizes safety, accessibility, and competitive excellence, celebrating courage and inclusion. It embodies the spirit of the Special Olympics oath and serves as a transformative venue for athletes and their communities.
Waldon Road Paving
Hubbell, Roth & Clark
A well-thought-out road design achieved the successful implementation of the project’s roadway, drainage, and safety improvements, while balancing environmental impacts. The project included two miles of asphalt paving, roundabout construction, roadway realignment, peat excavation, three large culvert replacements, drainage improvements, guardrail installation, pavement markings and signing, and restoration.
Watermain Key to Regional Economic Catalyst
Fleis & VandenBrink
The Verona Road Watermain project eliminated dead-end watermain liability to improve reliability, and opened future connections for Emmett Township. Unexpectedly, it became a regional infrastructure solution, enabling the $3.5B Blue Oval Battery Park, a second water supply from Battle Creek, and 1,700 new jobs.
Whites Road Improvements
Wightman
The City of Kalamazoo’s $6.3M Whites Road Improvements project transformed a 1.5-mile corridor by replacing aging infrastructure, implementing a road diet, and enhancing multimodal access. Led by Wightman, the project modernized utilities, improved safety, and advanced the City’s Streets for All initiative—shifting focus from moving cars to moving people.
WRRF Clarifier & Aeration System Improvements
Tetra Tech
Serving over 90,000 residents, the upgraded East Lansing Water Resource Recovery Facility now saves $400,000 annually through energy-efficient technology. With expanded capacity to treat over 60 million gallons daily during wet weather events, it reduces overflows and protects the Red Cedar River—delivering cleaner water and a more sustainable future.
Surveying Merit Awards
Niles Area Transmission Improvements
Wightman
American Electric Power’s $66M Niles Area Transmission Improvements project is boosting grid reliability across 44 miles in Michigan and Indiana. As the survey consultant, Wightman’s expertise ensures safety, accuracy, and collaboration, helping deliver a stronger, future-ready power grid for families, businesses, and communities across the region.
Board Design Award
Project Entries
