May 16, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.) – The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) congratulates Benesch
on earning an American Council of Engineering Companies 2024 Engineering Excellence Award for their work
on the Lincoln South Beltway – one of the largest projects ever undertaken by NDOT. This award is a prestigious
national distinction honoring projects demonstrating exceptional engineering excellence at the national level.
Anthony Dirks, Senior Vice President of Benesch, along with NDOT Director Vicki Kramer, attended the EEA\Gala
Dinner and Awards Program yesterday, the Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.
The idea of a Lincoln beltway was first introduced in the 1960s, but planning and funding complications slowed
its evolution. With the passing of the Build Nebraska Act and federal funds through the TIGER Grant, NDOT was
able to commit the resources required to significantly reduce the construction schedule for the project.
Benesch’s breadth of experience executing of high-profile projects was critical to delivery of the Lincoln South
Beltway. Benesch and NDOT developed a collaborative delivery approach that accounted for the project’s
complexity and unique environmental issues and shortened the delivery schedule from 10 years to 3. Additionally,
Benesch led the development of the project’s Environmental Assessment document, as well as preliminary and
final design on behalf of the City of Lincoln, Lancaster County and NDOT.
“Benesch has continued to be a strong partner to NDOT with their commitment to successful delivery of projects
like the Lincoln South Beltway,” said NDOT Director Vicki Kramer. “The work they performed with a condensed
schedule exceeded expectations, and they are well deserving of this award. We congratulate our friends at Benesch
for this prestigious award and look forward to continued success in the future.”
At the end of 2022, six months ahead of schedule, the beltway partially opened to traffic, and in the fall of 2023
was fully completed, transforming the region with improved safety and simplified travel along the city’s southern
boundary. Without Benesch’s commitment successful delivery, this project would not have been possible
