Twelve projects honored for engineering excellence—including Grand Awards for Brightline’s East-West Connector and Sound Transit’s Lynnwood Link Extension
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 21, 2025) –The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) named HNTB’s Brightline Florida East-West Connector and Lynnwood Link Extension projects as Grand Award winners at the Engineering Excellence Awards Dinner and Gala Award Program in Washington, D.C., on May 20.
The Engineering Excellence Awards is one of the industry’s most prestigious competitions, recognizing engineering firms for projects that demonstrate an exceptional degree of innovation, complexity, achievement and value. As Grand Award winners, the East-West Connector and Lynnwood Link Extension have been distinguished as two of the most groundbreaking engineering projects in the United States.
Brightline Florida East-West Connector – Cocoa to Orlando, Florida
Brightline Florida partnered with HNTB to deliver the East-West Connector, a private intercity passenger railroad system spanning 38 route miles between Cocoa, FL, and Orlando International Airport. The transformative infrastructure project provided the final link between Miami and Orlando and included the design and construction of 32 new bridges, comprehensive grading and drainage systems, advanced communications and signal layouts and extensive utility relocations.
“We’re proud to have partnered with Brightline Florida on the East-West Connector, a project that reflects both innovation and bold vision,” said George Gilhooley, HNTB’s East Florida office leader and senior vice president. “This recognition from ACEC is a testament to the dedication of our teams and the transformative impact of Brightline’s commitment to a more connected Florida.”
Lynnwood Link Extension – Seattle, Washington
Sound Transit’s Lynnwood Link Extension connects Northgate Station to Lynnwood Transit Center and marks the first light rail extension to Snohomish County, Washington. The extensive, multi-year project, incorporating four new light rail stations, three parking garages, and 8.5 miles of track, is the culmination of innovative design and a collaborative partnership. HNTB served as project manager on all engineering and architectural aspects of the project design and construction support.
“Sound Transit’s Lynnwood Link Extension project exemplifies what can be achieved through thoughtful design, strong collaboration and a commitment to community,” said Kris Agers, HNTB’s Washington state office leader. “We’re honored that this transformative project has been recognized with a Grand Award by ACEC, and proud to support Sound Transit in successfully delivering one of its most complex and ambitious undertakings.”
In addition to the Brightline East-West Connector and the Lynnwood Link Extension, the following HNTB projects were honored as National Recognition Award winners at the ACEC EEA Gala.
KTA Cashless Tolling – Kansas
The Kansas Turnpike Authority implemented a system-wide cashless tolling conversion for the entire 236-mile stretch of the Kansas Turnpike, which comprises some of the state’s most heavily traveled interstate routes. HNTB partnered with KTA to design 18 new cashless toll zones with 72 overhead toll gantries and provided engineering design, program management, back-office and toll technology support services, along with assistance in site selection to ensure minimal traffic disruption throughout the project.
Madawaska-Edmundston International Bridge Replacement – Madawaska, Maine
The Maine Department of Transportation replaced the Madawaska-Edmundston International Bridge to restore a vital connection between Madawaska, Maine, and Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada. HNTB served as lead designer on the new, long-span bridge, which was completed on time and within budget in just four years.
Innovate Mound – Warren and Sterling Heights, Michigan
Macomb County advanced the Innovate Mound project to reconstruct nine miles of Mound Road, adding a fourth lane in each direction, new concrete pavement, updated drainage systems and optimized traffic signals. HNTB served as the program manager, overseeing all aspects of planning, design, cost management, scheduling and construction oversight on the county’s first design-build project.
Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements – Brooklyn, New York
The New York City Department of Design and Construction led a major infrastructure project in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood to replace trunk and distribution water mains, combined sewers and appurtenances. HNTB supported the project by providing resident engineering inspection and construction management services, enabling the city to increase its capacity to meet growing infrastructure needs in a dense, historic urban area.
East Side Coastal Resiliency Project, Project Area 2 – Manhattan, New York
The New York City Department of Design and Construction launched the East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) Project to reduce flood risk due to coastal storms and sea level rise along Manhattan’s East Side. The HNTB-LiRo Joint Venture is the program and construction manager for Project Areas 1 and 2, which include raising a portion of East River Park and installing both above- and below-ground flood protection measures to strengthen 2.4 miles of urban coastline and protect lower Manhattan.
Terminal C Recomposure Benches – Newark, New Jersey
United Airlines led an initiative to improve passenger flow at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal C by introducing a post-security “recomposure area” to ease congestion. HNTB led the project team and designed a sleek, transformative bench that mirrors the terminal’s aesthetic while staying within the existing footprint, as part of broader architectural and design services aimed at enhancing the passenger experience.
I-35 Haunched Slab Bridge Raises – Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) raised eight county road bridges over I-35 to meet updated vertical clearance requirements that would accommodate a 10-inch pavement overlay beneath them. HNTB partnered with ODOT to develop a unique solution to elevate continuous haunched slab bridges, balancing cost savings, safety and efficient construction while avoiding full replacement and highway reconstruction.
West Davis Corridor – Davis County, Utah
The Utah Department of Transportation constructed the southernmost five-mile section of the West Davis Corridor, which includes a system interchange featuring Utah’s longest-span bridge with integral bents. HNTB served as the project’s prime consultant, delivering geotechnical innovations to address soft soils and high groundwater while designing 40 structures and improving connectivity through freeway interchanges and multimodal trails.
Vel R. Phillips Plaza – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The City of Milwaukee developed Vel R. Phillips Plaza as a unique multimodal gathering place that integrates transit functionality with civic space to support ongoing area development. HNTB served as lead designer and prime consultant, guiding a multidisciplinary team that included landscape architecture, building and lighting design, drainage and structural engineerin, and geotechnical analysis to transform a vacant lot into a dynamic public asset.
I-95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension – Stafford County, Virginia
The Virginia Department of Transportation expanded the I-95 Express Lanes to address systemic congestion impacting more than 600,000 daily commuters. As lead engineer, HNTB supported the 10-mile extension by designing two reversible high-occupancy toll lanes, new access points at Route 17 and Route 630 interchanges, and direct access ramps to both northbound and southbound I-95.