2009 Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA)

ACEC-Montana is pleased to announce the results of it's 2009 Engineering Excellence Awards Competition.

Grand Project Award:
The ACEC-Montana Grand Project Award will be presented to Stahly Engineering and Associates Inc. for their work on the Town of Manhattan Wastewater Treatment Plant.  This new wastewater treatment facility combines modern biotechnology, energy saving design concepts, and practical engineering know-how into a high performance, high efficiency environmental protection system.

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In addition, the following projects will receive Honor Awards in each of their respective categories:

Environmental Category:
Libby Asbestos Emergency Response Project:  CDM.......The legacy of W.R. Grace Mine and the impacts of Libby amphibole asbestos (LA) on the Libby community are being remediated. The CDM team applied creative and innovative thinking to help Volpe/EPA move cost-effectively and quickly into innovative remedial strategies. CDM’s efforts have guaranteed a safer Libby community for future generations.

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Structural Systems Category:
Mill Street Lofts:  Nishkian Monks, PLLC.....By utilizing Buckling Restrained Braced Frames (BRBF's), Nishkian Monks paved the way for development of low demand BRB's to be utilized in small steel building projects prevalent in Montana.  Further use of BRBF systems will provide superior protection of life in buildings during an earthquake, and save precious resouces be decreasing the code prescribe lateral forces on structures.

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Transportation Category:
US Highway 2 - Havre Urban Reconstruction:  Morrison-Maierle, Inc.......Total reconstruction of Havre’s main arterial, from end-to-end and often doorway-to-doorway, was accomplished with minimal disruption to both businesses and travelers. Applying forward thinking planning and sound design concepts improved drainage, delivered a long lasting roadway, and preserved a unique “underground” heritage, resulting in enhanced community pride.

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Water and Wastewater Category:
Town of Manhattan Wastewater Treatment Plant: Stahly Engineering and Associates Inc.......This new wastewater treatment facility combines modern biotechnology, energy saving design concepts, and practical engineering know-how into a high performance, high efficiency environmental protection system.

Small Projects Category (under $1,000,000):  
Future House USA: Nishkian Monks, PLLC.......... The Future House USA is a full scale residential home project with the sole purpose to demonstrate America’s state of affairs concerning energy efficiency and sustainable construction practice. For the next 6 years, the house will function as a laboratory/classroom with monitoring devices to collect data on energy efficiency.

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As recipients of an Honor Award in their respective categories, each of these projects may be entered in the ACEC-National Engineering Excellence Awards competition (http://www.acec.org/awards/eea.cfm). 

ACEC-Montana will honor these projects at the Montana Engineering Honors Banquet to be held in conjunction with the Joint Engineers Conference on November 7, 2008.

We would also like to thank our panel of judges who contributed substantial time and effort in the judging of this year's entries.

EEA Judges:
Dr. Dan VanLuchene, Engineering Professor - MSU 
Gary Fischer, Engineering Professor - Carroll College
Jim Reardon, City of Great Falls Public Works Director
Bruce Bender, Chief Administrative Officer, Missoula, Montana
Russ Katherman, PE, A&E Division - State of Montana