McCORMICK TAYLOR RECEIVES AWARDS FROM ACEC/PA

McCormick Taylor is honored to be recognized as a 2024 American Council of Engineering Companies Pennsylvania (ACEC/PA) Diamond Award Winner for two exceptional projects. Presented on January 25, 2024 at the Annual Awards Gala, McCormick Taylor received awards for the Pymatuning Spillway Trail/Messerall Truss Relocation and Rehabilitation Project and the Pollinator Habitat Pilot Project.

Each year ACEC/PA celebrates the industry and recognizes projects like these that “demonstrate a high degree of achievement, value, and innovation” in 12 categories and one Grand Conceptor award. The projects are judged by a panel of peers representing various backgrounds in the industry and rated on uniqueness and innovation; future value to the profession and public perception; social, economic and sustainable development considerations; complexity; and successful fulfillment of client/owner needs.

Additional details about each project are below.

POLLINATOR HABITAT PILOT PROJECT

Client: Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

Category E – Environmental

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) believes that “responsibility matters,” aiming to become America’s First Sustainable Superhighway by 2040. With over 500 miles of vegetated roadsides, the PA Turnpike saw an opportunity to make a difference in declining pollinator populations by establishing pollinator habitat. The PA Turnpike developed the Pollinator Habitat Pilot Project at various sites across their system to test different seed mixes, rates, and management practices, before incorporating pollinator habitat into their roadway network. McCormick Taylor worked with the PA Turnpike to develop a site assessment methodology, research best practices, develop an experimental design to test various seed mixes and management practices, develop site plans, develop seed mixes, and design and implement a monitoring program. Monitoring included identifying undesirable vegetation and desirable seed mix vegetation, pollinating insects, providing recommendations for undesirable vegetation management, and assessing yearly progress. Driven by results of the pilot project, pollinator habitat policy and guidance will be developed.

“McCormick Taylor’s efforts to conserve pollinators and work with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to create a more sustainable roadway is a great accomplishment and greater goal,” said Brent Sailhamer, ACEC/PA's executive director. “These efforts to protect pollinators to further preserve Pennsylvania’s beauty is something that deserves recognition, and we commend McCormick Taylor for its continued efforts to create a sustainable environment.”

Learn more about this project here.

PYMATUNING SPILLWAY TRAIL/MESSERALL TRUSS RELOCATION AND REHABILITATION PROJECT

Client: PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Engineering District 1-0

Category I – Special Projects

The Pymatuning Spillway Trail/Messerall Truss Project consisted of resurfacing the existing trail, designing a new trail section, and the adaptive reuse (relocation and rehabilitation) of the historic Messerall Truss Bridge. The Messerall Road Truss Bridge was originally constructed in 1876 by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, OH, and is a 99-foot span, wrought-iron bowstring tied arch. The bridge is a rare and remarkably complete example of the Wrought Iron Bridge Company’s “column, plate, and channel” design and one of the earliest examples of wrought iron construction within the state of Pennsylvania. It is one of only two bowstring trusses remaining in PA, adding to the significance of saving and repurposing this historic structure. The completed project located in Pymatuning State Park extends the trail from just over one mile to more than three miles, provides safe access to park visitor centers, schools, and the borough; and connects users with Route 6 and Bicycle PA Route Y. The inclusion of the Messerall Truss provides an enriching bike/ped experience, benefits to users with mobility challenges, a sustainable use for the historic bridge, and a crossing for maintenance/emergency vehicles and equestrian loading.

“The Pymatuning Spillway Trail and Messerall Truss project helped revitalize one of Pennsylvania’s beautiful state parks and restore its natural beauty,” said Brent Sailhamer, ACEC/PA's executive director. “We are so proud of this collaborative special project and the dedicated team of engineers behind it. Congratulations on a well-deserved win.”

Learn more about this project here.