ENR Texas &amp; Louisiana Cites the Best Projects of 2012

According to our independent panel of judges, the high caliber of every submission in this year's ENR Texas & Louisiana Best Projects competition made selecting winners incredibly difficult.

Photo by Aker Imaging

Crane Worldwides three-story atrium features a monumental stairway with glass and stainless steel railings.

This year's award winners were very diverse, representing a wide selection of construction projects in varied markets that were completed across the region between July 1, 2011 and June 30. They range from the restoration of an early 20th-century courthouse to an innovative bridge inspired by a state bird to the world's largest drainage pump station and a massive bridge relocation across state borders. But to win distinction as a Best Project, each one had to demonstrate innovation, exceptional quality and an ability to find creative solutions to daunting challenges. To select the region's best, ENR Texas & Louisiana recruited an independent panel of six industry professionals, representing diverse fields of expertise. In the end, our judges recognized 42 projects.

More than 200 entries were submitted by contractors, owners and design firms in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. The number of quality submissions shows that despite tough economic times for the construction business, plenty of projects are still being built.

The judges selected winning ENR Texas & Louisiana entries based on criteria such as overcoming challenges and teamwork, safety record, innovation, contribution to the industry and community, construction and craft quality, design function and aesthetics. This year’s jury included: Dana Birkes, Corporate Vice President, Flintco, Tulsa, Okla.; Wayne Crew, Director, The Construction Industry Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; Paul Hawryluk, Facilities Services Director, Raba Kistner Consultants Inc., San Antonio; Mike Holland, Executive Vice President and CEO, American Council for Construction Education , San Antonio; James C. Smith, Professor, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; and Steve Penson, Regional Manager, Austin Commercial, Dallas.

ENR Texas & Louisiana also added a new award to this year's contest that recognizes project safety. While safety has always been a criteria in the Best Projects competition, the editorial staff deemed it worthy of special recognition for projects that exceeded goals. Any project could be considered for this distinction in addition to the other category awards, and industry participants offered more than 70 entries that vied for this award.

This year’s safety judges included: Dennis Cobb, HSE Manager, Project Services, Phillips 66, Houston; Wayne Crew, Director, The Construction Industry Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; Billy Gibbons, Global Account Executive, JMJ Associates, Houston; and Jimmie Hinze, Professor, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.

We invite you to read on to find out more about all of these well executed projects across the region.

Texas & Louisiana Project of the Year

Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) West Closure Complex, New Orleans

Civil/Infrastructure

Best Project: Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) West Closure Complex, New Orleans

Award of Merit: Improvements to the Chalmette Loop Levee, Bayou Dupree to Hwy 46, Reach LPV 146, St. Bernard Parish, La.

Award of Merit: Seabrook Gate Project, New Orleans

Cultural/Worship

Best Project: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Ark.

Government/Public

Best Project: Marine Corps Support Facility, New Orleans

Award of Merit: Rockwall County Courthouse, Rockwall, Texas