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 COLUMBIA, S.C. — Florence & Hutcheson (F&H), a Columbia, S.C.-based engineering firm focused on designing and strengthening America’s civil infrastructure, received an Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of South Carolina (ACEC/SC) for the US 378 Bridge over Great Pee Dee River Bridge Replacement Project.

This bridge, carrying US 378 over the Great Pee Dee River in Marion and Florence Counties, was in serious disrepair and in need of replacement. The bridge was ranked number nine on the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s (SCDOT) statewide priority list for bridge replacements. US 378 in Florence and Marion Counties is a two-lane highway and hurricane evacuation route. The project involved replacement of the existing 4,000-foot bridge over the Great Pee Dee River. The total project length is 1.6 miles. F&H completed the initial design in late 2007. With construction complete, the bridge opened in March 2011.

This project included environmental studies (including the preparation of an Environmental assessment and 4(f) documentation), geotechnical investigation (including evaluation of liquefaction potential), surveys, hydraulic analysis of floodplain, final roadway, and bridge design.

According to Bener Amado, program manager for SCDOT, “F&H performed all of the work on this program on an accelerated schedule to allow for the replacement of this critical bridge structure to occur on schedule. SCDOT would like to commend Florence & Hutcheson for its performance on this exceptional design.”

“Being recognized by ACEC/SC at any level is a great honor,” said Greg Schuch, senior structural engineer and Structures Group leader of Columbia Operations. “Florence & Hutcheson is very privileged to have had the opportunity to participate in this important bridge replacement that ensures the safety of the traveling public.”

ACEC/SC annually presents the “Engineering Excellence Awards” to honor and recognize engineering firms located in South Carolina for projects that demonstrate the highest degree of achievement, value and ingenuity.