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Parsons Brinckerhoff Wins International Tunneling Award
[January 02, 2014]

Parsons Brinckerhoff Wins International Tunneling Award


(ENP Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ENP Newswire - 02 January 2014 Release date- 31122013 - LONDON, UK - Parsons Brinckerhoff has won the Innovative Use of BIM/Design Software Award of the NCE International Tunneling Awards 2013.

The awards were organized by New Civil Engineer (NCE), Ground Engineering, and the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association and celebrated the most innovative and successful projects, companies, and individuals from across the global tunnelling industry.



Parsons Brinckerhoff was recognized for its use of 3D Modelling and BIM (building information modelling) design software on the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Program in Seattle, Washington. The project is a $3.1 billion effort to replace a 60-year-old elevated highway along Seattle's waterfront with a bored tunnel through the city's downtown. It includes a 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) tunnel, currently under construction by 'Bertha,' the world's largest-diameter tunnel boring machine. The existing viaduct will be dismantled following completion of the four-lane, double-decked tunnel in late 2015.

The integrated 3D model enabled the project team to determine the minimum tunnel diameter necessary to meet all structural, civil, fire, and life safety requirements, and to identify potential conflicts and constructability issues. The model enabled designers to demonstrate the functionality of the design and present options to support decision-making by the client.


Visualizations produced from the 3D model helped Seattle residents understand the proposed design-and virtually experience a ride through the new tunnel. Parsons Brinckerhoff has been involved in the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program since 2001, serving for 10 years as WSDOT's general engineering consultant. Parsons Brinckerhoff provided the conceptual design and developed the technical requirements for the new tunnel, which is being built under a design-build contract awarded to Seattle Tunnel Partners in January 2011.

Parsons Brinckerhoff is a leader in developing and operating infrastructure around the world, with 14,000 employees dedicated to meeting the needs of clients and communities in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia-Pacific regions.

The firm offers skills and resources in strategic consulting, planning, engineering, program/construction management, and operations for transportation, power, mining, water/wastewater, and community development projects. Parsons Brinckerhoff is the professional services division of Balfour Beatty, an international infrastructure services organization that also provides construction services, support services, and infrastructure investments (www.pbworld.com) CONTACT: Judy Cooper Parsons Brinckerhoff Tel: 212.465.5332 [Editorial queries for this story should be sent to [email protected]] ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) (c) 2014 Electronic News Publishing -

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