Michael Baker International, an engineering, planning and consulting services firm, was recently recognized for two projects by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC Georgia) and the Georgia Department of Transportation during the annual Georgia Partnership for Transportation Quality Preconstruction Design Awards.

Michael Baker's Islands Expressway Bridge Replacement, which replaced a pair of functionally obsolete bascule bridges with two new high-level, fixed-span, multi-lane bridges over the Wilmington River along CR 787, was recognized in the Bridge and/or Structural Design category. The firm provided preliminary and final roadway, bridge and wall plans to deliver innovative and technically advanced structures that minimize the chances of vessel collisions and provide a reliable commuter route for Island residents east of Savannah, Ga.

In addition, Michael Baker's Courtland Street Bridge Replacement was recognized in the Design-Build category. In partnership with C.W. Matthews, Michael Baker developed a design phasing plan that advanced the most critical elements of the bridge replacement to construction as quickly as possible.

By employing accelerated bridge construction techniques, the team was able to shorten the construction phase from 24 months to just five months, without disrupting the flow of traffic or majorly impacting pedestrian access to Georgia State University buildings directly beneath the bridge.

The GPTQ Preconstruction Design Awards recognize engineering teams and firms for exemplary work, innovation and ingenuity in transportation and infrastructure projects across the state of Georgia.

Award winners were recognized during the 2018 Georgia Transportation Summit, hosted by ACEC Georgia, GDOT, the Georgia Transportation Alliance and Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Nearly 1,200 industry, business, community and elected leaders were on-hand for the annual event, now in its 24th year.

For more information, visit www.mbakerintl.com.