FHWA Honors TBE with Four Awards

• Three projects recognized with Excellence in Utility Relocation and Accommodation Awards.
• Paul Scott, TBE National Utilities Liaison, honored with Outstanding Individual Contribution Award.

CLEARWATER, FL – The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recognized TBE for its participation on three projects receiving the FHWA’s prestigious 2007 Excellence in Utility Relocation and Accommodation Awards, a biennial awards program. In addition, one award category honored a person, rather than a project, and Paul Scott, TBE’s National Utilities Liaison, received the FHWA’s Outstanding Individual Contribution Award. The awards were presented at the 2007 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Right of Way and Utilities Subcommittee Conference in Orlando, Florida, on April 30, 2007.

FHWA developed the awards program to honor those who excel in improving utility relocation and accommodation practices. The Outstanding Individual Contribution Award recognized Scott for his leadership, significant contributions, technical expertise and commitment to continuously foster innovation and advance utility accommodation and relocation practices within the United States and around the world.

TBE was honored with awards for the following three projects:
Category: Incentives for Utility Relocation/Projects Over $100 Million
Project: Intercounty Connector
The award recognized the Maryland State Highway Administration (MSHA) for providing innovative incentives enabling 15 utility companies to relocate approximately $40 million of complex overhead and underground utilities as part of five design-build projects for the construction of the Intercounty Connector highway. TBE provided utility coordination services for this project. Joe Bissett, TBE Senior Utility Coordinator, accepted the award on behalf of TBE.

Category: Project Management/Projects Over $100 Million
Project: Replacement of I-10 Bridges over Escambia Bay
The award recognized the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for successfully partnering with utility companies to relocate or adjust their facilities in advance of the fast-track design-build project to replace I-10 bridges over Escambia Bay that were severely damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. TBE provided Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) and utility coordination services for this project. Vinnie LaVallette, TBE Director and Southern Region Utility Coordination Manager, accepted the award on behalf of TBE.

Category: Leadership/Projects Under $100 Million
Project: Avoiding Utility Project Impacts Training Program
The award recognized the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for initiating a new training program, “Avoiding Utility Project Impacts,” which provided designers and project managers with the tools to reduce project delays by identifying and resolving utility conflicts early in the planning and design processes. TBE worked with GDOT to develop and conduct the training program. Mark Pitchford, TBE Vice President and Southern Region Manager, accepted the award on behalf of TBE.

“We are deeply honored to be recognized for our SUE and utility coordination services on these three outstanding projects,” said Nick Zembillas, TBE Senior Vice President and Principal. “Our cutting-edge technology and expert staff combine to offer our clients the most comprehensive, highest quality service and product. These awards confirm our commitment to excellence.

“In addition, just as the FHWA did, I want to pay special tribute to Paul Scott, TBE’s National Utilities Liaison,” Zembillas said. “I have known Paul for many years, and it was extremely gratifying that after retiring from a highly regarded career at FHWA, Paul decided to join the TBE team. His high level of integrity, his superior knowledge and expertise, his excellent reputation, and his devotion to the utilities industry make him a truly deserving recipient of the Outstanding Individual Contribution Award. All of us at TBE are extremely proud of all of these awards.”

TBE Group, incorporated in 1984, offers a full range of consulting, design, engineering and construction services, including civil, environmental, transportation planning and design, right-of-way acquisition/relocation, Subsurface Utility Engineering, surveying and mapping, 3-D underground imaging, and utility coordination. TBE currently ranks, #3 on Trenchless Technology’s Top 50 Design Firms (2006), #175 on Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) List of Top 500 Design Firms (2007), #5 and #6 respectively on the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s lists of top engineering firms (2006) and top environmental engineering firms (2007), and # 16 on Southeast Construction’s Top Design Firms (2006). TBE has received numerous industry and civic awards, including the 2004 Large Business of the Year Award from the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers (FICE) 2005 Grand Award for its Clearwater Northwest Fire Station brownfields redevelopment project. TBE is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, and has more than 40 offices throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, China and Puerto Rico. Visit us at www.tbegroup.com.