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The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) recently recognized two engineering firms for their "outstanding" transportation engineering, and civil engineering research and planning work for two Sound Transit projects.

The organization granted a Gold award to Parsons Brinckerhoff for its work on the Sound Transit 2 plan, which outlines 36 miles of expanded light-rail service, and significant enhancements to commuter-rail and bus service. The engineering firm used a number of unique planning and research methods, such as a first-of-its kind risk assessment at the planning stage to validate cost estimates, a sustainability assessment on climate change and other environmental benefits, and a state-of-the-art ridership forecasting and benefit-cost analysis, ACEC said. The $17.8 billion, 15-year program was approved by voters in November 2008.

ACEC also recognized Hatch Mott MacDonald with a Gold award for its design and engineering work on the Link light-rail segment between South Boeing Access Road and South 154th Street. The segment parallels, crosses over and is constrained by Interstate 5, state highways, major urban arterials, two railroad mainlines, a river, steep terrain and wetlands. In addition, Hatch Mott MacDonald conducted a value engineering study at the beginning of the final design phase that identified changes that saved $23 million in costs and eight months of construction time, ACEC said.

The firms won the awards at the state level; they now will move on to ACEC's national competition.