STV’s Virginia team is celebrating alongside its clients and partners after two crucial infrastructure projects the firm supported were honored with Engineering Excellence Awards by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Virginia (ACEC VA).

The I-264 Witchduck Road Interchange and Ramp Extension received ACEC VA’s Grand Award and the Pinnacle Award, which recognizes Virginia’s best overall project. Additionally, the new Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Lifecycle Overhaul and Upgrade (LOU) maintenance facility gained an Honor Award.

“What’s key about both of these projects is that they’re making transportation in Virginia a better experience for all modes, while also enhancing the existing infrastructure,” said Scott Lovell, PE, vice president and area manager for Virginia. “We’re thrilled to see both projects recognized by ACEC VA.”

As a subconsultant to Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc., STV designed the widening and rehabilitation of the bridge carrying I-264 over the former Norfolk Southern Railway for the I-264 Witchduck Road Interchange and Ramp Extension project in Virginia Beach. Overall, the program is improving capacity on the vital highway that is used by both commuters and vacationers heading to the beach by improving interchanges at two local roads, as well as a flyover across I-264 that connects Greenwich Road with Cleveland Street.

“Our design focused on enhancing and rehabilitating existing infrastructure while also balancing a bridge construction sequence that adhered to the required lane closure restrictions,” said Derek Overstreet, P.E., DBIA, STV engineering director who served as the project manager for I-264’s improvements.

STV collaborated closely with Kimley-Horn, the entire project team and stakeholders like Hampton Roads Transit, to develop a construction sequence plan that limited disruption to the approximately 55,000 daily commuters who pass through the interchange.

For the VRE facility, STV served as lead designer, developing the new, 33,500-square-foot LOU maintenance facility that allows the commuter rail agency to complete on-site operations and maintenance for its rail lines that serve Virginia and the greater metropolitan Washington, D.C. region.

The two-track building, located in Spotsylvania County, features heavy equipment including a wheel truing machine and a drop table for removing locomotives and railcars.

“It was a long-standing priority for VRE to have a facility like this because it keeps operations local and enhances VRE’s ability to keep vehicles in service by reducing the amount of time it takes to repair equipment,” said Fred Parkinson, S.E., P.E., DBIA, ENV SP, vice president and senior project manager.

STV teamed with Gannett Fleming for the program.