KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Five Burns & McDonnell projects have received Best Project Awards from Engineering News-Record (ENR) in the publication’s respective regions, and another five have received Awards of Merit.

The regional Best Project winners:

Vistra Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility in Monterey, California
Northern California - Best Project in Energy/Industrial
Excellence in Safety
ENR California

Moss Landing Phase III is a 350-megawatt (MW)/ 1,400-megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage project and the latest expansion at Vistra’s Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility in California. With Phase III complete, the facility now has a total energy storage capacity of 750 MW/3,000 MWh. Burns & McDonnell was the EPC contractor for this Phase III project, safely installing battery modules that are housed within 122 custom-built enclosures across the site, with zero recordable injuries.

Delta Air Lines Sky Way Program at LAX
Best Project, Airport/Transit, Excellence in Safety and Award of Merit, Sustainability
ENR California
Submitted By: Hensel Phelps

The $2.4 billion terminal modernization project at Los Angeles International Airport included upgrades and connections between Terminals 2, 3, and the International Terminal B. The program upgraded and connected Terminals 2 and 3 with the International Terminal B.  Burns & McDonnell served as the program’s environmental consultant, serving as the single point of contact for coordination between the numerous stakeholders for compliance with hazardous materials management, oil spill prevention preparedness, stormwater pollution prevention, environmental oversight, permitting and compliance, various meetings, field work and sampling. All building systems are engineered to comply with CalGreen 2016 standards and expected to achieve LEED Silver Certification, emphasizing that sustainability is crucial to enhance travel efficiency.

Alliant Energy Solar Program in Wisconsin
Best Project in Energy/Industrial
Excellence in Sustainability
ENR Midwest 

Burns & McDonnell worked with Alliant Energy to engineer and construct nine utility-scale solar arrays in Wisconsin, as a part of its work to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from its utility operations by 2050. More than 1 million direct craft hours were tracked across nine sites. The program added 664 megawatts (MWac) of solar generation for communities and can generate enough zero-fuel-cost energy to power approximately 174,000 homes annually.

Additionally, the solar facilities deliver long-term economic and financial benefits to the local communities through increased revenue payments and new jobs. Across the nine projects, we installed more than 1.6 million solar modules and nearly 300,000 steel piles. From the onset of the program, Alliant Energy sought to construct these projects in a way that would benefit the environment. To do this, Burns & McDonnell worked with Alliant Energy to follow the Envision Sustainability Framework and received the highest verification status – Platinum – on every project.

Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) over 87th Street/Roberts Road in Hickory Hills, Justice and Bridgeview, Illinois
Best Project in Highway/Bridge
Submitted by: Illinois Tollway
ENR Midwest

Burns & McDonnell provided owner’s engineer field services for the Illinois Tollway during the reconstruction of the Central Tri-State (I-294) from 95th Street to LaGrange Road. This full reconstruction and widening contract, among others south of I-55, marked the initial success and beneficial use for drivers and communities as part of the $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway Project. Work began in early 2021 and mainline reconstruction was substantially completed by the end of 2022. The four-mile segment of roadway was divided into two mainline contracts, with the first from 95th Street to the 82nd and 83rd Street Toll Plazas and the second from the 82nd and 83rd Street Toll Plazas to just south of LaGrange Road.

South Fork Wind in East Hampton, New York
Best Project in Energy/Industrial
ENR New York
Submitted by: Eversource Energy

South Fork Wind, New York’s first offshore wind farm, marks a significant milestone in the state’s transition to renewable energy. This joint venture brought together Ørsted, a global leader in offshore wind, and Eversource Energy, a national energy leader with regional experience in energy transmission and delivery. Located 35 miles from Montauk Point, this pioneering project brings unparalleled experience and innovation to the region, addressing critical energy needs with a sustainable solution. Featuring 12 state-of-the-art turbines, the 132-MW offshore wind farm is designed to meet East Hampton’s growing energy demands, producing enough clean energy to power approximately 70,000 homes. This initiative supports the local community and contributes to New York’s clean energy goals. Burns & McDonnell was the program manager leading the onshore scope in East Hampton, New York, on behalf of Eversource Energy.

Other projects honored with regional awards:

LAX Terminal Cores and APM Interface in Los Angeles, California
Southern California – Award of Merit – Airport/Transit
ENR California
Submitted by: Austin Commercial, LP

The six-year, $463-million program at LAX modernized terminals and improved connections to regional transit. The terminal cores serve as one of the primary entrances to LAX terminals, providing easy access to the site's levels via elevators and escalators, as well as a direct connection to the future automated people mover train system. Scope included construction of three such cores: at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), Terminal 6 (T5.5) and Terminal 7 (T7). Burns & McDonnell served as the program’s lead commissioning coordinator, site assessment and systems integrator.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Underground Distribution project for Duquesne Light Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Award of Merit in Energy/Industrial
ENR MidAtlantic  

Burns & McDonnell provided EPC services to Duquesne Light Company for its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Underground Distribution project, which is supporting Pittsburgh’s major urban renewal initiative by upgrading critical underground electrical infrastructure to meet growing ratepayer needs.

University of Pittsburgh, Central Utility Building, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Award of Merit in Energy/Industrial
ENR MidAtlantic
Submitted by: WTW Architects, an AE Works Company

The University of Pittsburgh’s Oakland campus has experienced rapid growth and was looking to enhance energy efficiency and water conservation capabilities. Careful planning, including capacity analysis and hydraulic flow modeling, led to the development of the Upper Campus Chilled Water Plant, designed to expand chilled water system while improving operational performance and sustainability. Burns & McDonnell provided full planning and detailed design for the University of Pittsburgh’s entire chilled water program.

Southwest Airlines PHX Technical Operations Facility
Award of Merit, Safety
ENR Southwest
Submitted By: Hensel Phelps

Burns & McDonnell served as the lead design firm for Southwest Airlines’ 90,000-square-foot maintenance hangar and a 40,000-square-foot ground support and provisioning facility. This $85 million-project plays a role in Southwest Airlines’ expanding operations at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

SYR Glycol Recycling Facility in Syracuse, New York
Award of Merit in Water/Environment
ENR New York

In November of 2023, the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) began operation of a new state-of-the-art glycol collection and recycling facility at Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR). The facility includes the world’s first on-airport glycol recycling evaporator capable of treating spent aircraft deicing fluid as low as 0.25% glycol to water. The SRAA, in partnership with Aeromag, the owner and operator of the facility, selected Burns & McDonnell to provide design-build services and Vilokan ADF Solutions as the specialty equipment supplier.

About Burns & McDonnell

Working from more than 75 offices around the world, Burns & McDonnell designs and builds critical infrastructure. Our family of companies — driven by engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists — delivers projects grounded in safety and a desire to make a difference as we make our clients successful. Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned. Learn more.