VHB was recognized with two Engineering Excellence Awards and a People’s Choice Award at the 2024 Georgia Engineering Awards on Friday, February 23. The event celebrates exceptional engineers, engineering projects, and industry achievements throughout the state. VHB’s award-winning projects illustrate how an integrated approach to complex transportation projects elevates safety and mobility for communities across the state.
VHB was honored to celebrate with clients and their guests including Collie Greenwood, General Manager & Chief Executive Officer, MARTA; Lewis Cooksey, Director, Gwinnett County Department of Transportation; Hameed Malik, Director of Engineering, City of Augusta; Drew Raessler, Director, Cobb County Department of Transportation, and Rebecca Shelton, PE, Director of Water Resources, Gwinnett County, who was recognized with the Honor Award (2nd Place) in Water Resources for the Crooked Creek Water Reclamation Facility Improvements Project Construction Package.
VHB and Thomas & Hutton were recognized with the State Award (1st Place) in Transportation as well as the People’s Choice Award for the Jimmy DeLoach Parkway Extension and Interchange. The extension, designed by Thomas & Hutton (T&H), and the interchange at U.S. 80, designed by VHB, are significant regional projects in Chatham County. Originally designed as two separate projects, Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and Chatham County combined the extension and interchange to maximize efficiency and cost-effectiveness, and to lessen impacts to the community. Simultaneous project coordination by VHB and Thomas & Hutton required close collaboration on design and with stakeholders to provide a safe, efficient regional connection from I-16 to the Georgia Ports. A comprehensive evaluation of alternatives helped mitigate adverse effects to floodplains within an area predominantly characterized by wetland ecosystems. The team worked with the County to secure the Section 404 permit during preliminary design, which included an offsite mitigation site proposed by Al Bungard, former Chatham County Engineer. The successful, on-time project resulted in a limited-access roadway that is integrated into the surrounding industrial, commercial, and residential land use, and has already spurred the development and construction of logistics warehouse facilities, as well as residential and commercial developments.
VHB also received an Honor Award (2nd Place) in Studies/Research/Consulting Engineering Services for Public Engagement on SR 4/U.S. 25BU at the Savannah River and South Carolina State Line. As a subconsultant to Parsons Transportation Group, VHB led the environmental and public involvement processes for this complex GDOT project which replaced a bridge over the Savannah River, linking Richmond County, Georgia, and Aiken County, South Carolina. VHB worked closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on an impacted levee and to balance effects on public spaces and historic sites. The project contributes to advancing sustainability through revitalization of the Savannah River waterfront with improved pedestrian and cyclist access and has significant social, economic, and environmental implications for the Augusta region.
“VHB is honored to receive these important recognitions from our industry peers,” said Fabricio Ponce, PE, Atlanta Managing Director. “Both projects serve as an excellent example of how close collaboration with clients and communities can elevate transportation and further connect people to opportunity.”
