The 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards were presented on February 6, 2026 at the McNamara Alumni Center. This year’s recognized projects reflected the technical breadth of Minnesota’s consulting engineering industry, including major public infrastructure, advanced building systems, environmental restoration, and energy development.
Projects were evaluated in November 2025 by a cross-sector judging panel representing public agencies, academia, construction, utilities, and private industry.
The 2026 Grand Conceptor Award was presented to LHB for the preservation of the historic Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis.
Originally constructed in 1883, the Stone Arch Bridge is one of Minnesota’s most recognizable structures and a nationally significant landmark. LHB led the comprehensive condition assessment and rehabilitation design for Bridge 27004, combining structural engineering precision with sensitivity tohistoric preservation.
The multidisciplinary team conducted detailed inspections, developed a Condition and Rehabilitation Assessment Report, and created a photorealistic digital model of the bridge using drone data to document deterioration and guide restoration planning. Rehabilitation work included underwater grouting and repointing at granite pier bases, full repointing of limestone arches and spandrel walls, and selective stone re-facing to restore structural integrity while maintaining historic character.
Judges recognized the project for its technical rigor, collaborative execution, and careful stewardship of a culturally significant public asset. The Stone Arch Bridge Preservation project reflects engineering excellence in service of long-term infrastructure resilience and historic preservation.
This project also won the Twin Cities Excellence in QBS.
The following projects received 2026 Grand Awards and are eligible to advance to the ACEC National Engineering Excellence Awards competition.
AET - Empowering Agencies: Framework for Accepting New Materials in Concrete Pavement Specifications Barr Engineering Co. & Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. - Sustainable Stacked Infrastructure at Highland Bridge Redevelopment Bolton & Menk, Inc. - CSAH 70 Gull River Crossing Bolton & Menk, Inc. - Highway 10 Ramsey Gateway Donohue & Associates - Caledonia’s Advanced Nutrient Removal Protects Groundwater Houston Engineering, Inc. - Whiskey Creek Enhancement Project ISG - Martin County Ditch No. 28 Nutrient Treatment Train Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. - METRO B Line Arterial BRT and Lake Street Improvements LHB - Stone Arch Bridge Preservation SEH, Parsons and Barr Engineering Co. - Twin Ports Interchange Final Design SRF Consulting Group - Highway 10 & 23 Interchange, St. Cloud Stanley Consultants & DOWL - Wrangell Water Treatment Plant TKDA - Runway 12L-30R Reconstruction
The following projects received 2026 Honor Awards in recognition of engineering achievement and demonstrated impact.
Alliant Engineering - University and Fourth Roadway Improvements Braun Intertec Corporation - Red Lake Nation College Minneapolis HDR - Hennepin County Community Recycling Survey HDR, Braun Intertec Corporation, and Houston Engineering, Inc. - Mississippi River Greenway Houston Engineering, Inc. - Heart of the Lakes Trail Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. - African Economic Development Solutions Little Africa Plaza Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. - METRO Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. - Sturgeon Lake Road Overpass Meyer Borgman Johnson - University of St. Thomas Lee and Penny Anderson Arena Sambatek - Withers Harbor Bridge SEH - Carlton Wastewater Pump Station Replacement TKDA - Snow Removal Equipment Building
The Excellence in QBS Awards recognize projects delivered using Qualifications-Based Selection procurement practices. QBS emphasizes demonstrated competence, technical expertise, and professional qualifications in selecting engineering firms, strengthening long-term project performance and public value.
Twin Cities - LHB, Stone Arch Bridge Preservation
Metro Area - Kimley-Horn and HNTB, METRO Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit
