Highway Facility Project Wins National ACEC Engineering Excellence Award
C&S is proud to announce that the Yates County Shared Use Highway Facility has earned a National Recognition Award in the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards — one of the profession’s most prestigious national distinctions. The award was presented at the ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards Gala on May 5, 2026, after a panel evaluated this year’s most innovative and impactful projects that won Diamond Awards at the state ACEC level.
This ambitious project reimagined a dated, disjointed site into a state-of-the-art, multi-department shared services campus designed to increase operational efficiency, sustainability, and public service delivery for generations to come. The comprehensive renovation encompassed the construction of a new 50,000-square-foot pre-engineered metal building, now home to the Highway Department, Office of Emergency Management, and Public Health Department. The new facility features advanced maintenance bays, a welding bay, drive-through wash bay, parts room, sign shop, and expansive office and training spaces. The Public Health Department now offers a remote clinic for rural populations and large-scale drive-through clinics, while the Office of Emergency Management benefits from dedicated vehicular storage and a large emergency operations center.
In addition to the new construction, four existing buildings were renovated, and a new salt storage building and fuel farm were added. The site layout was strategically redesigned to improve traffic flow, relocate fuel storage for safety and convenience, and reserve space for future emergency management training. The project prioritized energy efficiency and sustainability, with building envelope upgrades and the consolidation of underutilized infrastructure, resulting in significant cost savings and reduced environmental impact. Careful project phasing also ensured that vital County operations continued uninterrupted throughout construction, directly benefiting the daily lives of residents who rely on these services. The project was completed on schedule and under budget.
The Yates County Highway Campus revitalization stands as a model for how local governments can maximize the value of public infrastructure investments. The completed project delivered significant value to the community by modernizing critical County service facilities and enhancing operational efficiency. By inviting the public to tour the site before and after construction, the County fostered transparency and community engagement, allowing residents to witness the transformation firsthand. By consolidating multiple departments into a single, purpose-built campus, the County has improved interdepartmental coordination and created a safer, more efficient environment for staff and visitors alike. The project’s innovative approach—incorporating lessons learned from previous facilities and direct input from County staff—ensured that the campus was tailored to the unique needs of Yates County. This forward-thinking investment not only supports current operations but also positions the County to adapt to future growth and evolving community needs.
The successful completion of this project has been met with enthusiasm from County staff and leadership, and the community celebrated the achievement with a family-friendly ribbon-cutting event, honoring the legacy of the late Highway Superintendent whose vision helped shape the project.
About ACEC and the National Engineering Excellence Awards
The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) is the business voice of America’s engineering industry, representing nearly 5,500 firms employing more than 640,000 engineers, architects, land surveyors, highly trained specialists, and licensed professionals who design and improve our world.
The Engineering Excellence Awards are an annual celebration of engineering excellence, honoring projects worldwide that demonstrate innovation, creative problem-solving, and engineering’s unique ability to improve our world. The competition is juried by a panel of industry, government, and academic experts. All projects considered by the national competition must first be entered through one of ACEC’s 51 state and metropolitan Member Organizations.