EBA’s emergency repair project to restore a water main breach under an I-83 bridge in Baltimore has received a National Recognition Award in the American Council of Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) 2022 Engineering Excellence Awards competition. EBA president and CEO Rizwan Siddiqi, PE, and senior project manager Khalid Qadwai, PE, PMP, accepted the award at a gala on May 24, 2022, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, DC.

The “Academy Awards of the engineering industry,” ACEC’s annual Engineering Excellence Awards competition recognizes engineering firms for projects that demonstrate an exceptional degree of innovation, complexity, achievement, and value.

“This water leak was disrupting service to thousands of residents, and it was expensive for the City of Baltimore to maintain a temporary fix,” said Siddiqi. “Our team provided a fast, cost-effective, innovative solution that will help improve the City’s overall resiliency.”

When a 48-inch PCCP water main was found leaking under an I-83 bridge in Baltimore, the City needed a repair solution fast. To avoid a catastrophe, the City immediately mobilized EBA and the contractor.

EBA evaluated several options for cost, availability of materials, access, and construction constraints. Based on the evaluation, EBA recommended a carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) lining system to repair the water main. EBA evaluated multiple construction proposals, selected the best bid, and provided services during construction.

Other work included a 36-inch valve replacement; design of access ports for pipe inspection and repair; permitting; and extensive coordination with City agencies, contractors, and the design team. The pipe was returned to service the day after installation.

View EBA’s red carpet interview here.