SR 61 Waterline Relocation Earns ACEC-PA Engineering Excellence Award

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PA—The American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania (ACEC-PA) honored the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority (SCMA) SR 61, Section 014M Waterline Relocation project with an Engineering Excellence Award in the Water Resources category. The project was recognized for its innovative approach to utility coordination and relocation in support of a major highway reconstruction effort.

Benesch served as the prime engineering design consultant for the project, which addressed utility conflicts tied to PennDOT’s SR 61 reconstruction. Working closely with the SCMA, the team designed the relocation of approximately 20,000 linear feet of water mains while maintaining uninterrupted service to customers. The project also included the rehabilitation of two bridges over Mill Creek and upgrades designed to accommodate the future Schuylkill River Trail.

A key element of the project was the creation of a dedicated utility corridor outside the state right-of-way. Relocating water mains and communication lines onto SCMA-owned property reduced congestion, minimized permitting needs and avoided additional right-of-way acquisition, all while improving long-term access and maintainability.

Advanced design and construction strategies were central to the project’s success. By leveraging 3D modeling and GIS-based utility mapping, the team was able to identify conflicts early and refine alignments during design. The use of trenchless construction methods allowed new piping to be installed with minimal surface disruption, while carefully selected materials ensured long-term durability and corrosion resistance in the region’s challenging soil conditions.

Despite the project’s complexity, the team delivered the design and construction on time and under budget. The project was recognized on January 22 at the ACEC-PA 2026 Diamond Awards for Engineering Excellence.