Norfolk, Virginia (March 28, 2014) — Clark Nexsen was recently recognized with two American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Virginia 2014 Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA). Clark Nexsen and BayLand Consultants & Designers, Inc. jointly won an Honor Award for the Colley Bay Living Shoreline in Norfolk, Virginia. Clark Nexsen and Orders Construction took home an Honor Award for the Route 60 Main Street Bridge Replacement in Clifton Forge, Virginia.

The EEAs recognize outstanding engineering projects. Submissions are judged based on innovation, future value to the engineering profession and perception by the public, social, economic, and sustainable design considerations, complexity, and client satisfaction.

“We are excited to see our engineering accomplishments for the City of Norfolk and the Virginia Department of Transportation recognized through the ACEC EEA program,” said Clark Nexsen Principal Danny Taylor.

Colley Bay Living Shoreline
2014 ACEC Virginia Engineering Excellence Award - Environmental, Stormwater, Resources Category

Clark Nexsen and BayLand Consultants & Designers, Inc. partnered to design a solution to control shoreline erosion and restore the natural ecosystems in Colley Bay, in the city of Norfolk. The restoration project created a new 1,100 linear foot living shoreline along the Lafayette River, which replaced denuded marsh habitats, curbed moderate shoreline erosion rates, removed extensive concrete and asphalt debris, and stopped invasive species encroachment.

The design included wetland restoration and enhancement for both low and high tidal marsh habitats, using rip-rap sills and coir fiber logs for marsh toe stabilization, and upland riparian buffer enhancement using native trees and shrubs. Pocket beaches were added to the area to allow public access for recreation and educational opportunities in tidal wetland habitats. The design also allows for the future planned addition of a public pier at Larchmont Elementary School, and a pedestrian nature path along the riverfront.

Route 60 Bridge Replacement
2014 ACEC Virginia Engineering Excellence Award - Structural Systems Category

Clark Nexsen and Orders Construction replaced the Route 60 Bridge in Clifton Forge, Virginia for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) under a design-build delivery method. Project success was dependent upon providing access to adjacent business owners throughout the project while ensuring that the existing bridge be demolished and the new 180-foot-long, three-span prestressed concrete bridge be constructed without damaging adjacent buildings and historic structures.

Specific challenges that were met included demolition and construction activities with less than a one-inch clearance to historic buildings, box beams being lifted up and over an adjacent two-story bank building, and working around a 10-foot overhang of the Historic Masonic Theater’s decorative canopy that remained in place throughout the demolition and construction process. The project was completed two months ahead of schedule, $2.5 million under the estimated construction cost, and with no damage to the surrounding buildings. 

About Clark Nexsen
Clark Nexsen is an international multi-discipline architectural and engineering design firm. The firm is committed to providing design excellence to clients throughout the U.S. and overseas. Clark Nexsen was ranked in the Top 20 Engineering/Architecture firms in Building Design+Construction’s 2013 Giants 300 Report. The firm is headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, with 475 employees in 10 additional office locations in Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, and Washington, D.C. For more information on the firm, visit www.clarknexsen.com or find them on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

For more information, contact Cat Brutvan at 919-576-2100 or cbrutvan@clarknexsen.com.