Michael Baker International Recognized at 2014 National Accelerated Bridge Construction Conference

The Accelerated Bridge Construction–University Transportation Center (ABC-UTC) recently honored Michael Baker Intl.’s bridge experts with two project awards in recognition of design innovation and performance excellence.  ABC-UTC presented the awards at the 2014 National Accelerated Bridge Construction Conference in Miami in December. A total of four projects were given awards, and Michael Baker International was the lead designer on two of these projects.

Aaron Stover, P.E., S.E., project manager in the firm’s Louisville, Kentucky, office accepted the award for the Eggner’s Ferry Bridge project.  This complex project involved rapid replacement of a major truss span carrying US 68 over Kentucky Lake in Western Kentucky, which had collapsed after an oversized cargo ship hit the bridge.  This vital link to the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area was rapidly restored in two months, and a week ahead of schedule.

Michael Arens, P.E., S.E., project manager in the firm’s Midvale, Utah, office accepted the award for the Sam White Bridge Design-Build project.  This 300-foot, two-span bridge over I-15, weighing in excess of four million pounds, was moved into place using Self-Propelled Modular Transports (SPMT’s) which minimized disruption to traffic flow to a single overnight closure of the interstate.  At the time of the bridge move, this project represented the largest bridge ever moved into place using SPMT’s.

“Michael Baker International has excelled at these types of projects, because of the ingenuity of our talented bridge engineers, and the enthusiasm they have for creative solutions,” said John Dietrick, P.E., S.E. and the company’s bridge and highway practice director.  “Actually, we were deeply involved with another similar ABC-UTC award-winning project—the Milton Madison Bridge over the Ohio River between Kentucky and Indiana.  Recognition through these awards is a demonstration of the commitment to innovation and excellence of our people, and we are honored to share these awards with our clients and project partners.”

As a Gold Level Sponsor of the conference, three Michael Baker International employees conducted presentations as part of the conference proceedings:

• Virginia DOT I-95 Accelerated Bridge Construction Project–Jorge Suarez (with Scott Fisher, VDOT)
• Development of National Slide-In Bridge Construction Guide for Federal Highway Administration –Michael Arens
• Accelerated Replacement of the Eggner’s Ferry Bridge–Aaron Stover