For immediate release
MINNEAPOLIS—Barr Engineering Co. and Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. received a Grand Award and the People’s Choice Award at the recent Engineering Excellence Awards Gala hosted by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Minnesota (ACEC/MN). The awards recognize the two firms’ collaborative, innovative designs for the stormwater, utility, and transportation infrastructure serving the Highland Bridge redevelopment project in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
“Highland Bridge represents an important addition to Saint Paul and a significant expansion of the public realm through the creation of new parks and a multi-modal street and trail network, fully integrated with the restoration and celebration of water resources, which serve as the core of this new neighborhood,” said Nathan Campeau, a vice president and senior water resources engineer at Barr.
The culmination of a nearly two-decade effort, Highland Bridge is a new mixed-use, sustainability-focused community that sets a new standard for urban redevelopment by blending high-density commercial and residential development with abundant parks and open spaces. Barr and Kimley-Horn designed stacked infrastructure—an urban development strategy that layers stormwater, transportation, and utility systems both physically and functionally to maximize space efficiency and environmental benefits.
These infrastructure systems are integrated into the site’s 55 acres of common spaces, including ball fields, bikeways, walkways, waterways, and parks. A central pedestrian thoroughfare features a half-mile-long stormwater pond flanked by tree-lined promenades, rain gardens, and underground stormwater storage and filtration systems. These features capture and treat runoff before it reaches the pond and the Mississippi River downstream, supporting recreation, essential stormwater management, and watershed health.
The district stormwater system, designed by Barr, reflects the community’s vision and supports the goals of both Saint Paul’s climate action and resilience plan and the Capitol Region Watershed District’s environmental and recreational recommendations. The system treats 64 million gallons of runoff annually, capturing 28 tons of sediment and 147 pounds of phosphorus, and protects Hidden Falls Creek and the Mississippi River from erosion and pollution. Kimley-Horn’s transportation and utility designs include miles of water, storm, and sanitary sewer lines as well as walkable and bikeable paths—all coordinated to optimize space and minimize future utility conflicts.
“Together, we created something that reflects the best of our city—strong, inclusive, and built for the future,” said former Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter in the city’s news release about the project.
The Highland Bridge stacked infrastructure project was one of two Barr projects to receive 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards from ACEC/MN. The Twin Ports Interchange final design project, entered in partnership with SEH and Parsons Corporation, earned a Grand Award and placed third in the Grand Conceptor category. Both projects are eligible to advance to ACEC’s national Engineering Excellence Awards competition. To learn more about Barr’s award-winning projects, visit barr.com/awards.
About Barr Engineering Co.
Barr Engineering Co. provides clients with comprehensive engineering and environmental solutions in the fuels, power, manufacturing, mining, and public sectors. Our nearly 1,200 team members take on high-stakes challenges and deliver lasting outcomes that benefit clients, communities, and the environment. More than a consulting group, Barr is a committed partner and advisor—investing deeply in our work and our clients’ success, across North America and worldwide. To learn more, visit barr.com.
View the news release in PDF format.
