Barge Projects Honored at ACEC Tennessee Engineering Excellence Awards

Three of Barge’s transportation projects were recognized at this year’s American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Tennessee Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) on November 6.

Grand Award – Murray Lane at Holly Tree Gap Roundabout CEI Services

The Murray Lane and Holly Tree Gap Roundabout CEI Services project won the esteemed Grand Award in the “Special Projects/Small Project” category, making it eligible for submission into the 2025 ACEC EEA national awards.

Barge worked closely with the City of Brentwood to provide construction, engineering, and inspection (CEI) services for a roundabout that would replace the three-way intersection at Murray Lane and Holly Tree Gap. The roundabout, which previously relied on stop signs that caused traffic congestion and safety concerns, adds to the quality of life of more than 45,000residents, several businesses in the area, and five schools within a two-mile radius.

The project posed many challenges from the start, with the City’s request for a 10-week schedule, minimized traffic disruption during construction, and a finalized roundabout ready to use before the start of the new school year. Many challenges also arose throughout the project, including complex utility relocations for power, data, a new water main, and a sewer main. Barge utilized field adjustments to storm structures and additional excavation to avoid conflicts with an existing gas main and the new water main, properly installing structures without compromising the integrity of surrounding areas.

Barge’s firm yet flexible approach helped the City and the contractor resolve the issues promptly, with quality and schedule at the forefront. The $1.75 million project was completed within the 10-week schedule prior to the start of the school year while minimizing traffic disruption.

ECS Southeast, LLC, provided materials testing services during the construction of this project.

Honor Award – TDOT Region 3 & 4 Curb Ramp Review/Assessment

Barge earned an Honor Award for its work with The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to inspect nearly 1,300 curb ramps for ADA compliance, design upgrades, estimate costs, and prepare contract documents for construction bidding.

TDOT shares a commitment to Vision Zero, an ambitious strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries while promoting safe, healthy, and equitable mobility. Upgrading ADA-compliant curb ramps on state routes has been an essential part of the effort, and Barge’s work resolved a need to create a more innovative workflow to reduce man hours and inefficient processes for the challenging project.

Barge utilized GIS capabilities, leveraging Field Maps andSurvey123 GIS applications and a custom-designed dashboard to streamline the process. Project data was collected in real-time and instantly shared with the team, significantly reducing processing time. Barge’s GIS approach increased efficiency, saved taxpayer dollars, and demonstrated how engineering innovation can help make a positive difference in everyday life.

The ADA curb ramp inspections and the creation of more efficient workflow processes mark a significant advancement in engineering. Tackling the inspection of nearly 1,300 curb ramps for ADA compliance and optimizing procedures, this project addresses immediate compliance needs and sets a standard for future practices.

Honor Award – Nashville Streets and Pathways Lighting Manual

The Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) tasked Barge with creating a comprehensive Nashville Streets and Pathways Lighting Manual for consistent, appropriate lighting at intersections, sidewalks, and crosswalks to enhance safety. The team’s innovative work was rewarded with an Honor Award.

While NDOT’s Vision Zero mission mandated street lighting and pedestrian pathway lighting for new developments, there were no guidelines for developers, designers, and contractors to follow. This often led to inconsistent lighting, with low-level areas and dark spots posing safety risks and potential maintenance challenges. NDOT recognized this urgent need, teaming with Barge to develop and implement the Nashville Streets and Pathways Lighting Manual. The manual establishes guidelines that help NDOT reach the goal of zero fatal or severe crashes on the transportation network and work toward reducing light pollution.

Barge worked closely with NDOT to develop the manual, reviewing similar guidelines from peer cities, including Knoxville, Columbus, Atlanta, and Denver. The team’s project schedule featured monthly progress meetings with NDOT to keep the process moving forward for clear and efficient decision-making.

Nashville’s first detailed manual now serves as a vital resource for developers and contractors to maintain consistent fixture installation and appropriate lighting levels. Available on the NDOT website, the manual reflects the power of collaboration and dedication to safety, guiding Nashville toward a brighter, safer future.

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