CHA Consulting, Inc. Earns ACEC Indiana 2017 Grand Project Award in Engineering Excellence

Posted April 4, 2017

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – CHA Consulting, Inc. (CHA) earned the Grand Project Award for engineering excellence from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Indiana. The award recognizes the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and CHA for their collaboration on the substantial upgrades and transformation of US 31 to improve transportation in Hamilton County, Indiana.

“US 31 is a tremendous step forward to reducing congestion, improving safety, and providing for the reliable and efficient movement of commerce and regional travel in this heavily traveled section of Indiana,” said David Henkel, Vice President and Indiana Transportation Leader of CHA Consulting, Inc. “We are honored to receive this recognition from the ACEC which affirms the exceptional quality and high value achieved through our commitment to responsibly improve the world we live in.”   

Left to right: Kim Mills (WSP/Parsons Brinckerhoff), Dave Henkel (CHA), Kimberlee Peters (INDOT), Andy Hahn (CHA), Dawn Replogle (CHA), Troy Jessop (CHA), Kashif Khan (Infrastructure Engineering, Inc.), Tom Karis (CHA)This substantial undertaking involved the design of 46 bridges, 21 roundabouts (some of the first-ever built by INDOT) and 11 interchanges. The project was developed through an extensive public outreach effort and in close consultation with designers and planners from the cities of Carmel and Westfield, Hamilton County Highway Department, local neighborhood associations, businesses, INDOT and the US 31 design team. Coordinated with multiple ongoing projects, the freeway’s innovative design recognizes sustainability and reduces the area’s carbon footprint while improving mobility and transportation efficiency within the region. It was completed two years ahead of schedule and $100 million under budget.

“The new US 31 in Hamilton County was truly a collaborative effort among city, county, state and federal staff in the public sector as well as neighbors, businesses and a diverse team of consultants,” said INDOT project manager KimberLee Peters. “This project was one that was desired and developed over many years, and it is rewarding to be recognized for successfully bringing this vision to fruition.”

The Grand Project Award, one of the state’s most prestigious engineering distinctions, is made each year by ACEC Indiana to recognize an outstanding engineering achievement that demonstrates a high degree of merit and ingenuity. Details and photos of these and other award-winning projects may be viewed at: http://www.acecindiana.org/?page=EEA.  The award marks continued recognition of the US 31 Hamilton County Freeway project. It was named the 2016 ENR Regional Best Highway/Bridge Project in the Midwest and awarded the Indy Chamber Monumental Award for Engineering.