Barr is proud to announce that Phases 2 & 3 of the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection project earned American Public Works Association’s (APWA) 2021 Public Works Project of the Year Award in the Small Cities Rural Communities category, in the $25M - $75M division.
The project was completed in 2020 and included more than 8,900 feet of earthen levee, interior drainage pump stations, river crossings of municipal utilities, and 1,600 feet of bioengineered streambank restoration. For nearly a decade, Barr and local partner Ackerman-Estvold have worked with the City of Minot, Souris River Joint Board, and North Dakota Water State Water Commission on the planning, design, permitting, and construction of the plan.
“This project is a product of the commitment and dedication of our staff, our partners at Ackerman-Estvold, and our clients at the Souris River Joint Board and the City of Minot. We are honored to receive such prestigious recognition and thankful for the many people who came together to bring this project to fruition," said Jason Westbrock, a senior civil engineer at Barr and project manager for this project.
“APWA is honored to celebrate the 2021 Projects of the Year awards. The award recipients exemplify infrastructure projects that are planned, designed, constructed, and maintained to advance the quality of life for all in their communities. With the challenges of failing infrastructure across North America, public works projects are critical to rebuilding our resiliency and telling our story to support infrastructure funding. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, our public works heroes continued to deliver on their projects,” said APWA President Mary Joyce Ivers, CPFP, PWLF. “I am proud and inspired by all of our public works members who continue to deliver outstanding, selfless services to their communities, even in times of a pandemic and emergencies. I am so excited to celebrate these Project of the Year recipients and look forward to meeting you in St. Louis at PWX!”
APWA will recognize this year’s Project of the Year Award winners in a video posted to www.apwa.net on August 31.
“The beauty of the Project of the Year Awards is that they highlight the amazing collaborative efforts to build and rebuild America’s infrastructure. Every year, I am amazed at the innovation and vision the award recipients share to improve quality of life for the public,” said APWA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott D. Grayson, CAE.
Awards are won in four divisions and five categories. The divisions are (1) projects less than $5 million; (2) projects of $5 million, but less than $25 million; (3) projects of $25 million to $75 million; and (4) projects of more than $75 million. The categories are (1) structures; (2) transportation; (3) environment; (4) historical restoration/preservation; and (5) disaster or emergency construction repair.
Projects of the Year for the Small Cities/Rural Communities are awarded to those cities or counties with a population of 75,000 or less and in the same categories of structures, transportation, environment, historical restoration/preservation, and disaster or emergency construction repair.
The Public Works Projects are highlighted in the July issue of the APWA Reporter beginning on page 28 and in this video.
For more information about the APWA awards program, please contact APWA Awards and Chapter Relations Associate Rhonda Wilhite at rwilhite@apwa.net or by phone at (816) 595-5299.
About APWA
The American Public Works Association (www.apwa.net) is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 30,000 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy, and the exchange of knowledge. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, MO, with an office in Washington, D.C., 63 chapters, and 97 branches throughout North America.