Pair of Projects Earn National Recognition Awards
Two Bolton & Menk projects received National Recognition Awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). Anoka County’s Highway 10 Ramsey Gateway project and Cass County’s CSAH 70 Gull River Crossing project both received recognition from the national organization. These awards honor engineering projects that demonstrate an exceptional degree of innovation, complexity, achievement, and value. The project teams were presented with their awards on Tuesday, May 5 at the ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards Gala in Washington DC.
Highway 10 Ramsey Gateway, Anoka County
The Highway 10 Ramsey Gateway project addressed one of Anoka County’s most pressing transportation challenges. This stretch of Highway 10 in the City of Ramsey experienced high crash rates, frequent delays due to at-grade rail crossings, and a fragmented roadway network that hindered both local mobility and regional economic growth. The corridor carried up to 55,000 vehicles daily, including significant commercial traffic, and was a critical link for residents, businesses, and emergency services.
The project’s core problem centered on both safety and operational inefficiencies. Hazardous intersections, unpredictable train delays, and 51 direct access points to Highway 10 contributed to severe congestion, long emergency response times, and a crash rate more than twice the state average for similar corridors. Previous attempts at improvement stalled due to the complexity of coordinating multiple agencies and the concern of devastating the community for the sake of the improved highway.
Bolton & Menk’s solution was the largest locally led Trunk Highway initiative in Minnesota’s history – a model of collaborative and thoughtful planning and engineering. The team unified MnDOT, Anoka County, the City of Ramsey, and the public around a shared vision. Improvements included replacing signalized intersections with grade-separated interchanges, constructing new frontage roads to eliminate direct access points, and integrating roundabouts to enhance safety and traffic flow. These changes reduced congestion by over 60 percent, cut crash rates by 50 percent, and ensured reliable access for emergency vehicles.
The project also emphasized environmental protection, minimizing property impacts and protecting sensitive habitats near the Mississippi River. Extensive public engagement, including outreach to non-English-speaking residents, ensured the solution reflected community values. The result is a safer, more efficient, and more connected corridor.
CSAH 70 Gull River Crossing, Cass County
The Gull River Crossing project enhances transportation infrastructure and community safety in Cass County. This endeavor addresses longstanding concerns related to pedestrian and vehicle safety, environmental preservation, and cultural heritage protection.
Previously, the connection between County Road 105 and County Highway 70 relied on a narrow, one-lane bridge over the Gull River Dam within a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recreational area. The road had functioned this way for more than 100 years. Recognizing the limitations and risks posed by existing infrastructure, Cass County took the lead in reimagining this critical route.
Partnering with the City of East Gull Lake, USACE, and Bolton & Menk, the county developed an innovative solution that balances functionality with both environmental and cultural sensitivity. A new roadway alignment was proposed, offering a safe and efficient pathway while minimizing impacts on wetlands, floodplains, and culturally significant sites.
The project underwent rigorous environmental documentation, federal and state agency reviews, and consultations with the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office and tribal representatives to ensure regulatory standards were compliant.
The final design incorporates a modern roadway, two roundabouts, a new bridge, and a pedestrian trail connection. This comprehensive solution enhances safety for drivers and pedestrians and preserves the area’s natural ecosystem and cultural heritage. The Gull River Crossing project illustrates a harmonious blend of progress and preservation and stands as a shining example of community-focused problem-solving and innovation, providing lasting benefits for future generations.
Celebrating engineering excellence in action! Discover the innovation behind our award-winning projects and learn how these exceptional efforts are making a difference.