BATON ROUGE, La. – C. H. Fenstermaker & Associates, LLC of Lafayette was awarded the 2021 Grand Conceptor award for the project Outfall Canals Topographic and Bathymetric Survey project during the annual American Council of Engineering Excellence Awards program held March 10, 2022.
Eleven engineering projects performed by Louisiana-based engineering firms were awarded 2021 Engineering Excellence Awards by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Louisiana (ACECL). The awards celebrate firm achievement, teamwork, and client partnership. All of the winning projects are tangible examples of the essential role engineering plays in the everyday lives of Louisiana citizens. The 2021 Engineering Excellence Awards ceremony was held March 10, 2022 at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with U.S. Congressman Garret Graves acting as Master of Ceremonies.
GRAND CONCEPTOR AWARD WINNER, the top award as selected by the judges from among the Grand Award winners as the project that best reflected the program’s judging criteria:
Firm: C.H. Fenstermaker & Associates, LLC (Lafayette)
Client: Flood Protection Authority East
Project: Outfall Canals Topographic & Bathymetric Survey
Contact: Justin Bordelon, PLS, justinb@fenstermaker.com (337) 237-2200
C.H. Fenstermaker partnered with the Flood Protection Authority to develop the New Orleans Outfall Canals and the Hurricane Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS). The system significantly diminishes the risk of flooding for over 1 million residents in the New Orleans Metropolitan area. Fenstermaker provided the most innovative solution, using both Aerial Drone-based LiDAR and an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) outfitted with a multi-beam sonar device to create a seamless topographic/bathymetric survey meeting the requirements set forth by the FPA.
This project was also a recipient of a Grand Award for Surveying/Mapping Technology.
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GRAND AWARDS:
Category: Studies, Research and Consulting Engineering Services
Firm: C.H. Fenstermaker & Associates, LLC (Baton Rouge)
Client: Louisiana DOTD
Project: Cane River Bridge Church Street Environmental Assessment
Contact: Bliss Kelley Bernard, bliss@fenstermaker.com, (225) 344-6701
For over 80 years, the Cane River Bridge has provided a vital transportation connection to the historical downtown areas of Natchitoches west of Cane River Lake and the historical residential areas east of the lake. CH Fenstermaker was tasked to develop a comprehensive Environmental Assessment Report for the proposed replacement of the Cane River Bridge. Fenstermaker managed a team of 7 sub-consultants, the planning, public outreach, engineering, and environmental studies necessary to gauge public support and document information for LDOTD and FHWA to reach an environmental decision, culminating into a final Environmental Assessment (EA) Report.
Category: Building/Technology Systems
Firm: T. Baker Smith, LLC (Houma)
Client: Port of Corpus Christi
Project: Dock Management System
Contact: James Naismith, jim.naismith@tbsmith.com, (361) 799-7502
The Port of Corpus Christi engaged T. Baker Smith to provide port decision-makers and stakeholders with an integrated system for efficiently assessing and communicating port operational conditions. Leveraging data from the 200+ annual surveys, a Dock Management System was developed consisting of a user dashboard for analyzing data; a feature manipulation engine dashboard for loading data; and an internal quality control dashboard. The primary function of the dashboard is to provide consistent communication allowing bathymetric data to be presented on a user-friendly dashboard assessable to Port staff.
Category: Waste and Storm Water
Firm: Meyer Engineers, Ltd. (Metairie)
Client: LCMC Health
Project: Children's Hospital Green Infrastructure
Contact: David H. Dupre, ddupre@meyer-e-l.com, (504) 885-9892
Meyer Engineers and LCMC Health created a green infrastructure design as part of a $300 Million expansion to renovate and modernize the Children's Hospital New Orleans Campus, meeting the City of New Orleans' standards of practice. The green infrastructure plan included a unique mix of stormwater BMP's - landscaped bioswales, subsurface stormwater tanks, and pervious pavement. Meyer's design accounted for the challenges of limited land availability on the Uptown Campus as well as the challenges associated with implementing these systems to protect life and property, lessen stormwater runoff to the surrounding neighborhood, beautify the area all the while remaining within budget.
Category: Water Resources
Firm: HDR, Inc. (Lafayette)
Client: Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
Project: Rockefeller Refuge Gulf Shoreline Stabilization (ME-0018)
Contact: Brett Geesey, brett.gessey@hdrinc.com (337) 347-5598
HDR, Inc. partnered with CPRA and took on the 71,000-acre Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge marshland sanctuary shoreline stabilization project to protect this critical habitat of abundant fish, migratory birds, and alligators. The team overcame significant challenges, including repeatedly competing for funding and constructing the breakwater from the harsh Gulf environment without land access. Not long after project completion, Hurricane Laura, a category 4 storm, and Hurricane Delta, a category 2 storm, directly impacted the project area. Yet, those impacts were mitigated because of this stabilization project.
Category: Transportation
Firm: Forte & Tablada, Inc. (Baton Rouge)
Client: East Baton Rouge City Parish
Project: Nicholson Drive/Brightside/W. Lee Intersection Improvement
Contact: Russell "Joey" Coco, jcoco@forteandtablada.com, (225) 927-9321
Partnering with East Baton Rouge City Parish, Forte and Tablada was tasked to design an intersection improvement project that delivered both congestion relief and safety improvements that focused on multiple forms of transportation. The project brought many challenges, one of which was the sight distance issues over the railroad track going from W. Lee to Brightside and back. Taking care of this sight distance, which was elevated well above LA30, was a top priority in achieving congestion relief.
Category: Special Projects
Firm: Aillet, Fenner, Jolly & McClelland, Inc. (Shreveport)
Client: Louisiana Tech University & TBA Studio
Project: LA Tech University's Baseball & Women's Sports Complexes
Contact: Daniel Thompson, dthompson@afjmc.com, (318) 425-7452
On April 25, 2019, an EF-3 tornado struck the Louisiana Tech baseball stadium, softball stadium, and women's soccer stadium. Aillet, Fenner, Jolly & McClelland (AFJM) and TBA Architects were on-site the day after, surveying the damage and analyzing the condition while developing cost estimates of the damaged facilities for repair and replacement. Louisiana Tech developed a long-term strategic plan to upgrade the Women's facilities and to relocate near the football field to consolidate the athletics facilities. It was also decided to rebuild the baseball stadium at its current location.
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HONOR AWARDS, presented to projects selected by the judges as worthy of recognition for excellence:
Firm: C. H. Fenstermaker & Associates (Lafayette)
Client: City of Scott
Project: City of Scott Drainage Improvement Plan
Contact: Anna Doucet, anna@fenstermaker.com, (337) 237-2200
Partnering with the City of Scott, Fenstermaker developed a comprehensive document that defines and evaluates the existing drainage system, establishes a procedure for inspection and maintenance, and plots a course for improvement. The Plan at its core is an agreement of the community to hold itself responsible for combating flooding and drainage problems in all its forms.
Firm: Duplantis Design Group (Thibodaux)
Client: D.R. Horton
Project: Lakeshore Villages
Contact: Thomas Buckel, tbuckel@ddgpc.com, (985) 249-6180
Duplantis Design Group created a 3D model of all the major infrastructure for the development including storm pipes, sewer pipes, roads, and lots in the master-planned new 2,600 single-family lots. There were numerous iterations of mass grading to balance the earthwork within the development due to challenging soil conditions and the presence of unsuitable material like peat, that had to be removed and replaced.
Firm: Quality Engineering & Surveying, LLC (Port Vincent)
Client: Livingston Parish Gravity Drainage District No 1
Project: Master Flood Plan
Contact: Jamie Seal, jseal@qesla.com, (225) 698-1600
Quality Engineering & Surveying partnered with Livingston Parish Drainage District No. 1 to implement a master flood plan based on sophisticated flood modeling results. This forward-thinking plan helps parish leaders develop sustainable rules and procedures for commercial and residential development to drive sustainable growth in which future construction is positively affected by highly informed design.
Firm: C.H. Fenstermaker & Associates, LLC (Lafayette)
Client: Lafayette Consolidated Government
Project: Kaliste Saloom Road Widening
Contact: Dax Douet, dax@fenstermaker.com, (337) 237-2200
CH Fenstermaker partnered with client Lafayette Consolidated Government to promote an aggressive mission to plan, design, acquire the necessary rights of way, and construct the necessary improvements to widen Kaliste Saloom Road, one of the six major urban arterials of the City of Lafayette located in the highest growth rate sectors of Lafayette Parish.
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PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD WINNER, as voted by the ceremony attendees:
Firm: Forte & Tablada, Inc. (Baton Rouge)
Client: East Baton Rouge City Parish
Project: Nicholson Drive/Brightside/W. Lee Intersection Improvement
Contact: Russell "Joey" Coco, jcoco@forteandtablada.com, (225) 927-9321
Partnering with East Baton Rouge City Parish, Forte and Tablada was tasked to design an intersection improvement project that delivered both congestion relief and safety improvements that focused on multiple forms of transportation. The project brought many challenges, one of which was the sight distance issues over the railroad track going from W. Lee to Brightside and back. Taking care of this sight distance, which was elevated well above LA30, was a top priority in achieving congestion relief.
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Projects were scored by a distinguished panel of judges on the following criteria:
- Uniqueness and/or innovative application of new or existing techniques
- Future value to the engineering profession and enhanced public awareness/enthusiasm of the role of engineering
- Social, economic, and sustainable development considerations
- Complexity
- Successful fulfillment of client/owner needs
About ACECL:
The American Council of Engineering Companies of Louisiana (ACEC of Louisiana) is the business association of over 140 Louisiana engineering firms providing tools and educational opportunities for members to become better business owners and managers. ACEC of Louisiana is a member organization of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).