Every year, local agencies are recognized with Project of the Year awards from the Minnesota County Engineers Association (MCEA), American Public Works Association–Minnesota Chapter (APWA-MN), and City Engineers Association of Minnesota (CEAM). Congratulations to this year’s recipients!
The summaries below are drawn from agencies’ project submissions; full awards lists and detailed descriptions can be found at the association websites.
CEAM Project of the Year: City of Oronoco Wastewater Treatment System
This project aimed to modernize Oronoco’s previously antiquated and failing septic systems—25 percent of which were classified as an imminent threat to public safety, and 35 percent of which were failing to protect groundwater. The new wastewater treatment system encompasses 7 major structures, 14 miles of sanitary sewer main, 9 lift stations, 84 grinder stations, 5 miles of watermain, and 535 utility service connections—eliminating hundreds of noncompliant treatment systems and allowing for the city’s population to potentially double over the next 20 years.
APWA-MN Project of the Year—Structures: Mississippi Gateway Regional Park (Co-Winner)
The City of Brooklyn Park and Three Rivers Park District teamed up to combine two outdated park spaces into the new Mississippi Gateway Regional Park. This multiyear, $40 million project overcame unique challenges, such as meeting the needs to minimize disruption to public use during construction, introduce sanitary sewer and water services, and design structures adjacent to the Mississippi River floodplain—a testament to multiagency coordination, innovative construction management, and value engineering.
APWA-MN Project of the Year—Structures: City of Rosemount Public Works and Police Campus (Co-Winner)
The City of Rosemount’s Public Works and Police Campus is its largest capital investment project to date, representing a solution to decades of undersized, outdated, and scattered facilities. The new campus offers approximately 160,000 square feet of space, designed to unify essential services while serving as a civic hub. Updated features for police and public works include a heated fleet garage, vehicle wash bay, abundant storage, a patrol workspace, modern evidence processing, and more. The new campus delivers long-term value through enhanced operations, staff support, and connection with the community.
APWA-MN Project of the Year—Greater Minnesota: Sturgeon Lake Road Overpass
To eliminate one of the worst at-grade rail intersections in Minnesota and improve safety, travel efficiency, and access to Prairie Island, this project constructed a new four-lane grade separation of Sturgeon Lake Road over the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway in Red Wing. The resulting two-span, 210-foot bridge now carries four lanes of traffic and provides multimodal connectivity. Initiated by the Prairie Island Indian Community and the City of Red Wing in 2003, the project also constructed a new tribal roadway underpass to improve access to Treasure Island Resort and Casino and adjacent tribal lands.
APWA-MN Project of the Year—Transportation: TH 169 Redefine in Elk River
MnDOT partnered with engineering and design consulting firm WSB to convert TH 169 into a freeway system through the city of Elk River. WSB implemented a fully digital delivery of plans using 3D and 4D modeling, collaborative workflows, and a digital twin, which allowed stakeholders to virtually review project impacts. This model also enabled early identification of construction projects, improving safety and reducing delays. Recognized internationally for these efforts, the project set a new standard for future infrastructure initiatives across the U.S.
APWA-MN Project of the Year—Transportation Honorable Mention: B Line–Lake Street Improvements
Lake Street in Minneapolis had several transportation-related issues to address—including slow transit speeds and a high concentration of pedestrian crashes. In conjunction with Metro Transit’s B Line project, Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis developed the Lake Street Multimodal Improvements project to enhance safety and mobility throughout the corridor. Nearly $30 million of improvements include a four-lane to three-lane conversion, an increase in red bus lanes, traffic signal system updates, and more. Hennepin County will monitor post-implementation conditions for the next three years to evaluate safety outcomes and key insights.
MCEA Project of the Year: Rice County TH 19/I-35/CSAH 46/CR 59 Roundabout
Photo: Stonebrooke Engineering
Rice County partnered with Stonebrooke Engineering and MnDOT District 6 to improve one of its most challenging intersections. Together, they created an innovative single-lane, six-legged roundabout that improves safety, reduces delay, and enhances user access—one of the most complex geometric challenges in the county. Through innovative staging and a multiphase traffic control plan, crews were able to complete the construction project without a full closure of TH 19.
MCEA Highway Safety Achievement Award: Hennepin County CSAH 153 (Lowry Avenue) 4-3 Lane Conversion Project
The intersections of Lowry Avenue North at Washington Avenue and Second Avenue in Minneapolis were experiencing higher than average crash rates. Hennepin County implemented a four- to three-lane conversion and added a bike lane to reduce vehicle speeds and close a bike gap—both of which can help prevent fatalities for vulnerable road users. Since its completion in October 2025, the project is being closely monitored and has received positive feedback from community members.
