MERIT AWARDS

use by the United States Army Air Force and it has since been overlaid with asphalt in the 1960s and 1990s. Although typical pavement maintenance has been completed over the last 30 years, including crack sealing and asphalt patching, the asphalt was continuing to cause foreign object debris (FOD) and aircraft operation safety concerns.

Early in 2020 Benesch completed a preliminary study to evaluate the existing airfield pavements for parallel Taxiway A and Taxiway connectors B, C, D and E to define the rehabilitation/reconstruction scope and the estimated costs. Upon completion of the preliminary geotechnical investigations, it was discovered that pavement sections varied drastically throughout the length of parallel Taxiway A and each of the connecting taxiways. To speed up the reconstruction process the pavement design alternative of an unbonded white top was selected.

The four-phase project consisted of new subdrains (edge drains), low flow liners and storm sewer upgrades, nearly 250 new LED MITL’s, 29 new LED signs, new pavement markings, shoulder grading, erosion control measures and seeding. Benesch was responsible for preliminary design and bidding in spring 2020. Benesch was also responsible for construction observation, material testing and closeout in 2021.

Merit Award

Firm: Olsson

Project: Old Potash Highway Webb Road to North Road, and Claude Road Extension from Old Potash Highway to Faidley Avenue

Client: City of Grand Island

Old Potash Highway enters on the western edge of Grand Island and primarily serves industrial and retail businesses. In recent years, traffic has increased as more businesses opened, and the post office relocated to the area from downtown. In addition, Hornaday Manufacturing, one of the city’s largest employers, is located along Old Potash Highway just west of U.S. Highway 281. Major changes were needed to efficiently keep people – and vehicles – moving. To make this happen, the project team agreed to convert Old Potash Highway to a half-milelong, three-lane section from North Road to Claude Road and a half-mile-long, fourlane, divided section from Claude Road to

Webb Road. Olsson proposed constructing single-lane roundabouts at North and Claude roads and a multilane roundabout between U.S. Highway 281 and Webb Road at Wilmar Avenue.

Our team provided multiple services including: extensive traffic study and analysis, public involvement, urban roadway design, drainage design, utility coordination, and construction management.

The completed roadway expanded growth in southwest Grand Island; improved safety; enhanced the area for pedestrians; and connected the regional north-south route to residential and school areas on the west side of the city. The $14.3 million project was completed in fall 2021, a year ahead of schedule, and came in under budget estimates from 2018.

Merit Award

Firm: The Schemmer Associates, Inc.

Project Title: The Murray Viaduct

Client: Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT)

The Murray Viaduct project was a transportation project that enhanced public accessibility and improved roadway assets on Nebraska Highway 1 near Murray, Nebraska. The overall project included replacing the highway from the intersection of US 34, proceeding west, crossing multiple Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) lines, and terminating inside the village of Murray. This entry is focused on the replacement of the viaduct over the UPRR.