Stanley Consultants’ West Side Diversion Tunnel Wins ACEC National Honor Award

Stanley Consultants has received an Engineering Excellence Honor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) for design of the West Side Diversion Tunnel in Davenport, Iowa. The national award was presented at the association’s annual awards gala on April 22 in Washington, D.C.

“We are honored by the recognition from ACEC and thankful to have played a role in a project so vital to the future of Davenport,” said Gayle Roberts, Stanley Consultants’ president and CEO.

The $42 million West Side Diversion Tunnel, a 3.1 mile sanitary sewer line, runs from near the Mississippi River through Davenport to undeveloped areas in the northwest part of the city. With a population of 102,000 residents, it is Davenport’s biggest public works project in years, and has been called the city’s most significant long-term economic development project.

The additional sewer capacity created by the project alleviates stress on the aging sewer system and reduces backups during heavy rains. It also opens up thousands of acres for new industrial and commercial development. “It’s not very glamorous to talk about sewers, but such infrastructure projects are vital to the future development and wellbeing of any city,” said Mayor Bill Gluba.

The project was constructed in three phases over the course of several years and included construction of a 1.4 mile-long-tunnel that ranged in depth from 40 to 140 feet. Tunneling is rarely used on Iowa sewer projects but the technology was cost effective when installing the sewer line through Davenport’s ridges and drainage valley topography. “This project was one of the most complicated and technically difficult public works endeavors the city has ever undertaken,” said Michael Clarke, Davenport Public Works Director.

Stanley Consultants provided master planning, design, and construction phase services for the project, which was funded through a combination of grants and money from the city sewer fund. The project was completed on schedule and $9 million under budget.

ACEC’s Engineering Excellence Awards competition celebrates the most outstanding project achievements in the field of engineering around the world and has been called the “Academy Awards of the engineering industry.” Projects are judged based on originality, innovation, value to the public and the engineering profession, complexity, social and economic considerations, sustainability, and exceeding client needs.

About Stanley Consultants: Founded in 1913, Stanley Consultants is a global consulting engineering firm that provides program management, planning, engineering, environmental and construction services worldwide. Recognized for its commitment to client service and a passion to make a difference, Stanley Consultants brings global knowledge, experience and capabilities to serve clients in the energy, water, transportation and Federal markets. Since 1913, Stanley Consultants has successfully completed more than 25,000 engagements in all 50 states, U.S. territories, and in 110 countries. For more information on Stanley Consultants, please visit http://www.stanleyconsultants.com.

About ACEC: The American Council of Engineering Companies is the business association of America’s engineering industry, representing approximately 5,000 independent engineering companies throughout the United States engaged in the development of America’s transportation, environmental, industrial and other infrastructure. Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., ACEC is a national federation of 51 state and regional organizations.

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