Five United Consulting projects earned awards in the 2020 ACEC Indiana Engineering Excellence Awards competition.
Honor Awards
I-69 Major Moves 2020 Expansion Project / Milestone Contractors, L.P. / INDOT
The Design-Build Best Value contract to I-69 created an added travel lane in each direction to the median between State 37 Road (Exit 205) and State Road 38 (Exit 219) and a southbound lane along the shoulder between 116th Street and the new interchange at the 106th Street exit ramp. The I-69 and Campus Parkway was converted from a traditional diamond to diverging diamond interchange. The project widened and rehabilitated five twin bridges on I-69 and reconstructed three overpass bridges.
Central Avenue Bridge / City of Indianapolis DPW
The Central Avenue Bridge was restored to its original natural beauty and improved to accomodate two-way traffic for the first time ever. The original structure was built between 1897 to 1901. In order to maintain the bridge’s historic integrity, it was disassembled block by block and the sandstone pieces for the spandrel walls and railing were saved, cleaned, and re-set in the new structure. Other improvements included a new substructure, concrete arches, and a 10-foot wide sidewalk on the west side to provide safe travel for pedestrians. In the near future, lighting will be placed at the four corners of the bridge.
Merit Awards
State Street Connection / Columbus, Indiana
The State Street Connection serves as an initiative to encourage economic growth and development within East Columbus by reconnecting it with Downtown Columbus. The project created a wider side path along the north side of State Street from Central Avenue to Mapleton Street and also included significant architectural enhancements to the Haw Creek Bridge, the incorporation of new greenspaces, and the addition of sculptural elements along the path. Consistent with the City’s branding scheme, the sculptural elements and crosswalks incorporate the Dancing Cs. A new gateway feature was constructed at the intersection of Central Avenue, delineating the entrance into East Columbus and providing an upgraded connection to the Columbus People Trail.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Veterans’ Bridge / Madison County, Indiana
The bridge carrying 8th Street over the White River in Anderson, Indiana has an ADT of nearly 15,000 vehicles per day and serves as a gateway into Downtown Anderson. The original ten-span, prestressed concrete, I-Beam bridge was replaced with a new six-span, prestressed concrete, U-Beam bridge which includes a composite concrete deck. The grade of the bridge was flattened from 6.6% to 4.9%. New sidewalks, ADA ramps, and LED lighting were added to each side of the bridge to promote safety for non-motorized users.
Dupont Road / Fort Wayne, Indiana
The Dupont Road project widened the facility from an existing two-lane road to a four-lane boulevard section between the limits of Lima Road and Coldwater Road. The widening project added a new enclosed storm sewer system, new traffic signals, and new lighting. This project also included a new grade separated crossing of the Pufferbelly Trail. Dupont Road was elevated above the trail and substantial decorative retaining walls were implemented.
