Diamonds Are a Firm's Best Friend

Nicknamed the “Academy Awards” of the consulting engineering industry, the ACEC New York Engineering Excellence Awards celebrated its 50th year on April 1 at the New York City Hilton. CHA earned two Diamond Awards, the highest project distinction, in the Transportation and Energy categories. 

CHA’s Industry & Energy Group Executive, Greg Corso, PE and John Finkeldie III, PE accepted a Diamond Award in the Energy Category for the design of a waste-to-energy system that has spearheaded industry efforts to deal with whey. The facility, completed in partnership with General Mills, combines anaerobic pretreatment with a combined heat and power system to convert Greek yogurt whey into heat and electricity. The once-disposed whey now generates electricity, lowers natural gas needs, reduces diesel fuel usage, and creates significant annual cost savings.

CHA also received a Diamond Award in the Transportation Category. CHA’s Frank Delsignore, PE, Lee Ecker, PE and Greg Corso, PE were accompanied by Richard Lee, Chief Engineer of the New York State Thruway Authority, and Catherine Sheridan, former Chief Engineer of the New York State Thruway Authority and current Manager of Engineering and Maintenance for the New York State Canal Corporation, in accepting the award for the replacement of the Cleveland Drive Bridge, developed in cooperation with the New York State Thruway Authority. Using an unusual type of long-span rigid frame, the replacement bridge addresses future clearance requirements while providing a robust structure with a service life of over 100 years. A revitalized gateway, the Cleveland Drive Bridge welcomes visitors with aesthetic form-lined substructures and parapet, decorative landscaping, and other charming features.

Both projects are representative of CHA’s enduring commitment to delight clients with innovative solutions that responsibly improve the world we live in. CHA was a Diamond-level sponsor of this year’s event honoring a total of 130 exceptional projects spanning the engineering spectrum from incredible structural systems to spectacular industrial facility solutions.