The Top 5 Engineering Projects of 2009

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has announced five finalists for the group's annual Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement (OCEA) award. Previous OCEA winners have included the World Trade Center, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and other high-profile megaprojects, as well as a range of lesser-known bridges, roadways and restored or relocated buildings. The 2010 OCEA winner will be announced at an award ceremony in the Washington, D.C., area on March 25th, but out of 28 entries, here are the five that scored the highest with the jury (of which, for full disclosure, I was a member). Although these represent the jury's overall favorite projects, based on innovation in construction and materials, public benefit, impact on the physical environment, and other judging criteria, they are listed here in alphabetical order, not by score or personal preference.