Bayonne Bridge Raising Wins Top Honor from American Society of Civil Engineers

Two Other HDR Projects Also Honored by ASCE

OMAHA, Neb. — The HDR-designed Bayonne Bridge Navigational Clearance project has been awarded the top project honor from the American Society of Civil Engineers. On March 13, the bridge redesign earned the organization’s Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement award, given annually to the project that best illustrates superior civil engineering skills and represents a significant contribution to civil engineering progress and society. The award was presented at ASCE’s annual Outstanding Projects and Leaders gala.

Utilizing a first-of-its-kind construction sequence, our team partnered with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to raise the new Bayonne Bridge deck 64 feet over the existing roadway and within the existing arch structure. Using this method, both vehicular and vessel traffic were able to continue during construction. The increased clearance allows larger post-Panamax vessels to travel beneath the bridge on their way to the ports of Newark and Elizabeth.

As the lead design firm in a joint venture with WSP USA, we designed the new deck for the main bridge span, the strengthening of the historic arch for increased wind loading and the new segmental concrete approach superstructures. In September 2017, the old roadway was removed and the first post-Panamax freight cargo ship passed beneath the new bridge unencumbered. All four lanes of the new bridge opened in February 2019.

“Our team’s creativity and engineering acumen was on full display on this landmark project,” HDR Transportation President Brent Felker said. “We’re proud to deliver such a historic effort for the people of New York and New Jersey.”

The project is also a 2018 winner of the Grand Conceptor award, given out by the American Council of Engineering Companies annually to the top engineering achievement in the country.

A panel of nine judges picked the recipient of the OCEA award based on originality and innovation; resourcefulness in planning and solving design challenges; sustainability considerations; and project planning and delivery.

At the awards gala, 10 projects from across the United States were recognized by ASCE, including three in which HDR played a lead role. Besides the Bayonne Bridge, also honored were the Marc Basnight Bridge (Bonner Bridge Replacement) in North Carolina and the West Vancouver Freight Access project in Washington.

About HDR  

For over a century, HDR has partnered with clients to shape communities and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Our expertise spans more than 10,000 employees in more than 200 locations around the world — and counting. Our engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services bring an impressive breadth of knowledge to every project. Our optimistic approach to finding innovative solutions defined our past and drives our future. For more information, please visit www.hdrinc.com