GBA Project Named ASCE – Kansas City 2018 Civil Engineering Project of the Year

The American Society of Civil Engineers Kansas City Section announced that the 6200 Nieman Storm and Turkey Creek Tributary Improvements project was named its 2018 Civil Engineering Project of the Year. This award focuses on civil engineering designs that use innovative technologies, creative solutions and enhanced sustainability methods. The design used in GBA’s winning entry was a joint effort with the project owner, City of Shawnee, Kansas and contractor, MEGA Industries.

GBA provided the study, design and construction inspection of the 6200 Nieman Storm and Turkey Creek Tributary Improvements. The project began with a preliminary engineering study (PES) to investigate the flooding of Nieman Road and businesses along Tributary 63 of Turkey Creek. After the PES was completed, GBA worked with the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program (SMP) to secure funding for culvert and creek channel improvements. With these funds in place, GBA and the city worked to improve the corridor for citizens to enjoy.

Coordination was a major part of this project’s success. With a project location in a heavily developed corridor, and other municipal improvement projects ongoing at each end of the site through the Nieman Now! effort, GBA focused on coordination early and often. These efforts included working with adjacent business owners, adjacent projects and consultants, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and complicated utilities. This project also involved coordination inside GBA, with multiple disciplines coming together to complete the project.

“Our multi-disciplined GBA team had the great fortune of working on this project with Cynthia Moeller-Krass with the city of Shawnee as well as Ryan Mills and his team at MEGA Industries,” said Leslie Barnt, GBA Principal. “It was one of the most collaborative projects I’ve been a part of, which provided a design-build feel that kept all parties focused on a final deliverable that met the true intent of the Nieman Now! efforts.”

When completed, the project included: 15,000 square feet of concrete soldier pile and cast-in-place retaining walls up to 23 feet tall; 200 feet of storm sewer placement with backflow prevention; seven new curb/grate inlets for proper drainage of streets and parking lots; street profile adjustment up for utility relocation; sanitary sewer realignments for proposed improvements; completion of USACE permitting; and mitigation of stream impacts.

The creative solutions used throughout this project benefit citizens with both visual and safety improvements. Due to a building removal, additional green space and a city park were added to the corridor. Sidewalks were also put in place along the street for pedestrian access throughout the corridor. An undermined building and failing wall were safety concerns to the general public. Removing and replacing these structures provides long-lasting improvements to public safety.