Louis Berger’s long-span bridge division wins two ACEC-NY Diamond awards

Morristown, N.J. — Louis Berger’s long-span bridge division, Ammann & Whitney, won Diamond awards for the William Preston Lane, Jr. Bridge and the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook Pedestrian Bridge at the 2017 American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) New York Engineering Excellence Awards.

The William Preston Lane, Jr. Bridge — also known as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge — earned the Diamond Award for its trailblazing dehumidification techniques. The first of its kind in North America, the dehumidification and rewrapping of the main cables and anchorages of the bridge halted corrosion and significantly extended the unique dual-span structure’s life. This landmark project featured innovative dehumidification techniques, including a robust supervisory control and data system that allows for regular, remote monitoring of cable and plantroom conditions.

Like the Chesapeake Bay Bridge project, the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook Pedestrian Bridge represents excellence and innovation in bridge engineering. Located in Amsterdam, N.Y., this bridge extends trails along the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, showcasing the city and surrounding park. The New York State Thruway Authority awarded Louis Berger this project as part of the Rebuild and Renew New York Transportation Bond Act.

“We’re thrilled that both of these outstanding projects received ACEC’s prestigious Diamond Award,” said Nick Ivanoff, president, U.S. transportation market. “It illustrates the hard work and creativity of our project teams, as well as the strong relationships we’ve built with our clients.”

The 50th annual Engineering Excellence Awards gala — referred to as the “Academy Awards” of the consulting engineering industry — was held in New York City on April 1. Each year, dozens of projects are submitted to ACEC’s panel of experts who judge according to a rigorous set of criteria, which includes complexity, innovation and value to society. The top-level award is the Diamond, presented only to the most outstanding engineering projects in the region.

Ammann & Whitney is the long-span bridge division of Louis Berger.