The Silicon Valley Clean Water (SVCW) Gravity Pipeline Project earned four awards from The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) in 2023: Best in Design – Engineering, I.N.S.P.I.R.E.D. Owner, National Award of Excellence in water/wastewater, and National Award of Merit in water/wastewater. The project was also a finalist in the Best in Process – Progressive Design-Build (PDB) category. Barnard-Bessac Joint Venture (BBJV) shares this honor with owner SVCW, design engineer Arup, owner’s advisor Kennedy Jenks, and owner’s quality assurance firm Tanner Pacific.
About the Awards
DBIA is the expert on design-build project delivery and celebrates the nation’s best design-build projects and leaders. A panel of judges, composed of architects, engineers, owners, contractors, manufacturers, and more, made their award selections for each award according to the principles of Design-Build Done Right. BBJV and SVCW were selected for four awards from a pool of 62 projects that were submitted for consideration across 10 categories.
About the Project
As the largest wastewater tunnel constructed in the San Fransico Bay Area and the first of its kind in the United States using PDB, this $250 million gravity pipeline project stands as a monumental achievement for BBJV and SVCW, a regional wastewater authority situated midway between San Fransico and San Jose. PDB ensured SVCW early contractor involvement, cost certainly in the design phase, and maximization of risk sharing and mitigation opportunities. This approach allowed SVCW and BBJV to negotiate an early amendment for securing the tunnel boring machine before the design was complete, saving approximately one year on the project schedule and expediting the construction process. Additionally, the design specified the installation of the wastewater conveyance pipe inside the complete tunnel, setting a new precedent as the largest FRP pipe ever used for a wastewater conveyance project in the U.S. The BBJV team showcased our innovative approach to design and construction by developing custom equipment and methods for pipe installation.
The success of the gravity pipeline project can be attributed to our technical expertise and the unwavering collaboration demonstrated by all team members. Each individual played a significant role in showcasing the value of collaborative delivery.
To learn more about this award-winning project, barnard-inc.com/projects/silicon-valley-clean-water-gravity-pipeline-project.
