Two Juneau projects earned statewide honors Saturday, as the Alaska Capital Engineers named its Outstanding Engineering Projects of 2016.
The Whittier Street Reconstruction earned the Innovation and Design award, while the Don D. Statter Harbor Launch Ramp Facility garnered Infrastructure and Improvement honors. Juneau Port Director Carl Uchytil was named Outstanding Engineer of the Year as well. Keynote speaker Rear Admiral Michael F. McAllister, who is responsible for Coast Guard operations throughout Alaska, spoke to an expected group of around 70 attendees at the Baranof Hotel on Saturday night during the awards ceremony.
Seeking to provide safe and efficient access to the Willoughby Arts District, the Whittier Street Reconstruction included installing white LED lamps, curb bulb-outs to shorten mid-block crosswalks, increasing sidewalk depth and protecting driveway sight distances, according to a release prior to the event. Parks and Recreation Director Kirk Duncan said he’s already seeing a difference.
“The new street lighting is extremely attractive and effective,” Duncan said in the release. “The design is awesome and the contractors working on the job were easy to get along with. … Well done to all concerned.”
The Statter Harbor Launch Ramp Facility constructed the second of four phases for Statter Harbor improvements, creating a 4.5-acre parking and marine recreation facility designed to CBJ and ADFG Sport Fish standards. The design includes a seawalk with covered shelter, as well as 3,700 tons of pavement, 4,000 linear feet of curb and gutter, 2,000 linear feet of storm drain, water services and more.
Uchytil, who has been the CBJ Port Director since 2011, is also the president of the Alaska Association of Harbormasters & Port Administrators. Since Uchytil took the post in Juneau, CBJ has completed or partnered in projects that included $70 million at the downtown docks, $23 million at Stratter Harbor and more. Since 2012, CBJ Docks and Harbors have received project recognition at each Engineers Week Banquet.
