Gannett Fleming Recognized in ACEC/PA Engineering Excellence Awards Program
February 6, 2009
(Harrisburg, Pa.) Gannett Fleming, an international planning, design, and construction management firm, was recently recognized in the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania (ACEC/PA) 2009 Diamond Awards for Engineering Excellence program for two innovative projects.
 The Pennsylvania Route 309, Fort Washington Interchange reconstruction project received an Honor Award in the Transportation Category. This project included the construction of a reconfigured interchange for the Turnpike, as well as the rebuilding of the expressway, its bridges, overpasses, and remaining interchange ramps.
The new Route 309 Fort Washington Interchange is designed to carry traffic efficiently through the interchange and the Fort Washington/Oreland areas. Motorists now travel on a widened Route 309 – with longer on- and off-ramps and expanded medians and shoulders. Other improvements include, sound walls at several locations, and a 50-inch-high concrete median barrier/glare screen that spans the length of the expressway. Travelers and residents also experience an improved stormwater management system to manage the flood-prone areas. In addition, Intelligent Transportation Systems components improve safety and traffic flow.
This project is part of a $300 million investment from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to create a beautiful, modern expressway that will benefit travelers and residents for years to come.
 ACEC/PA also recognized Gannett Fleming's Forest Park Water Treatment Plant Expansion project with an Honor Award in the Water/Wastewater Category. Faced with increasing water consumption demands from a growing population, Forest Park Water in Chalfont, Pa., required a facility with double its existing capacity. Although Forest Park Water Treatment Plant (FPWTP) had room for new construction on its existing plot of land, they sought an innovative approach to meeting their need for additional capacity, while remaining in the facility's existing footprint.
The design to expand the capacity of the Forest Park Water Treatment Plant included a plan to stage construction in order to maintain service during the expansion. The completed facility uses membrane filtration to satisfy the most extreme drinking water guidelines, while showcasing a socially responsible and sustainable design. This project proved that membrane filtration is a viable and cost-effective treatment alternative for facility upgrades and expansion. By identifying potential construction pitfalls and overcoming obstacles, this project provides a benchmark by which to model future water treatment plant membrane designs.
For more information, please contact Judy L. Hricak at (717) 763-7211, ext. 2624 or via e-mail.
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