Georgia DOT earns 4 awards from state American Public Works Association chapter

Updated Aug 15, 2015
SR 10/US 78 Historic Preservation Project of the Year – 1938 WPA built bridge is in centerSR 10/US 78 Historic Preservation Project of the Year – 1938 WPA built bridge is in center

The Georgia chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) has presented the state’s department of transportation with four awards for projects representing “the best achievements in the public works profession.”

“These awards highlight the fantastic work the people of Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) do every day ensuring the mobility, safety and preservation of our transportation network,” said Russell McMurry, GDOT commissioner.

“We are excited to bring light to the accomplishments of public works’ individuals, projects and awareness efforts that ultimately keep our cities, counties and state running smoothly and effectively on a daily basis,” said Stan Brown, APWA Georgia chapter awards chairman.

The winning projects include:

Project of the Year for Emergency Repairs (costing less than $5 million)

Highway 51 at Lake Hartwell

Highway 51 sinkhole at Lake HartwellHighway 51 sinkhole at Lake Hartwell

“A sinkhole ten feet square and 20 feet deep opened May 6, 2014 overtaking the northbound lane. Georgia DOT discovered a pipe was rusted 35-40 feet under the highway creating the sinkhole. Almost a 1/3-mile long section of Highway 51 and well over 10,000 tons of dirt were excavated to install a new drainage pipe. The new pipe was 150 feet long and 13 feet in diameter. The roadway reopened October 23, 2014. Tony Voyles, Area Engineer serving Hart County served as designer and project manager of the repair.“

Project of the Year for Historic Preservation

Highway 10/U.S. 78 bridge over the Apalachee River

“For stabilizing and preserving the 1938 Works Progress Administration built open spandrel concrete arch bridge at the Oconee Walton County Line. The project built a parallel structure for westbound traffic and built vertical barriers at each end of the historic bridge leaving it open for recreational and pedestrian use. This project opened to traffic six weeks ahead of schedule. Ed Heath was the construction project manager.”

Highway 11/Broad StreetHighway 11/Broad Street

Small Cities/Rural Communities Transportation Project of the Year and Technical Innovation Project of the Year

Highway 11/Broad Street pavement rehabilitation in Winder

“The Highway 11 pavement developed ruts almost 2 inches deep in places. The roadway was failing but the road is a major connector with a commercial district, U.S. Post Office, county courthouse and railroad tracks within a six block section of the corridor. To allow construction to occur while traffic still flowed, a system of precast concrete panels was used. The system allowed for two lanes of traffic to flow through the area during the day and one lane overnights. The work occurred in one-block sections up and down the roadway. This complex method minimized delays and fast tracked construction. Erik Rohde led the project design and Marc Phillips served as construction project engineer.”