MADISON, IND. ─ The Milton-Madison Bridge Project has received a 2011 National Recognition Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) for delivering an innovative project solution, years ahead of schedule and millions under budget.

The award, given to projects that represent exceptional achievement in engineering, will be presented in Washington, D.C. on April 1 at the annual ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards ─ considered the "Academy Awards of the engineering industry."

On March 5, the project also received an Honor Award from the Indiana Chapter of ACEC. The Kentucky ACEC Chapter named the project a Grand Award winner on Feb. 8.

The new U.S. 421 Milton-Madison Bridge, which connects Milton, Ky., and Madison, Ind., is currently under construction and scheduled for completion in September 2012.

The recent awards are based on the project's environmental or NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) phase, which was led by consultant Wilbur Smith Associates. The typical NEPA process for a major bridge project can take four years or longer, but the Milton-Madison Bridge Project team, which included engineers from Michael Baker Jr. Inc., completed the process in half that time using an accelerated environmental process combined with innovative design, contracting, and construction methods.

"By expediting the first phase of the project, we were able to get to construction quickly, an important issue given the condition of the existing bridge," added Andy Barber, project manager for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. "Best of all, we're able to safely connect Milton and Madison with only minimal disruption."

The Milton-Madison Bridge Project is a bi-state effort between the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. For more information, please visit www.miltonmadisonbridge.com.