The world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm AECOM is passionate about the development of South Africa. It delivers technical excellence on infrastructure projects for private and public sector clients, while keeping local communities at the forefront. Recently, the company collected an impressive number of wins and commendations at some of the industry’s top awards.

At the CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards 2021 on 10 November, AECOM was crowned Mentoring Company of the Year. “A skilled workforce is key to organisational growth and stability, and skills development and mentoring are at the core of our vision for client-focused excellence. We foster a workplace where inclusive and diverse teams can thrive, harnessing the power of technology and the entrepreneurial spirit of our people to deliver market-leading innovation,” says Jill Singh, Human Resources Business Partner.

AECOM also received a Commendation for the upgrading of the N7 Section 1 from Atlantis South to Kalbaskraal (Phase Two) in the category for projects with a value from R250 million to R1 billion. “We believe that infrastructure creates opportunities for everyone, and our work here was no different. This has been one of several projects over the last decade contributing to the mission and vision of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) to continue to develop the transport network in the country,” says Louise Buys, Technical Director: Transportation Area Lead & Cape Town Office Lead.

At the Construction World Best Projects Awards on 3 November, AECOM was Highly Commended in the Consulting Engineer category for Ashton Arch, South Africa’s first concrete tied-arch bridge constructed using a transverse launching method. AECOM was responsible for the design, as well as project and construction management. The project was also Highly Commended in the Civil Engineering Contractor category, as well as project supplier SIKA walking away with a win in the Specialist Supplier Category for its work on the project.

The design of the bridge that was finally adopted consisted of a single span (110m) concrete tied-arch solution with a deck suspended by stay cables that accommodates four traffic lanes and two walkways. This largely eliminated the possibility of debris build-up and provided the shallowest deck depth option, both key considerations. “The successful launch was a proud moment for our team in the Western Cape region,” says Buys. “These achievements would not have been possible without the vision and leadership of our client, the Western Cape Government: Department of Transport and Public Works, and all the other important role players who contributed to this successful project.”

Lastly, at the 2021 IMESA/CESA Excellence Awards held on 12 November, AECOM was awarded third place for the Plankenbrug Main Outfall Sewer and Associated Works (Phases 2 & 3) in the category Engineering Excellence in Structures and Civil. “The project has not only improved the environmental and health conditions for those living along the river or downstream farmers using the water for irrigation, but the provision of additional capacity in the sewer network has unlocked upstream development opportunities that, in turn, will stimulate economic growth,” says Christian Jordaan, Associate Engineer.

It is not only locally that AECOM’s work has been recognised. It was recently awarded the ENR Global Best Projects Awards 2021 – Best Airport/Port for Tema Port Expansion Project Phase One in Ghana, submitted in conjunction with China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC). The project is now in the running, along with one other contender, for ENR’s Global Project of the Year, which will be announced in a virtual awards ceremony on 9 December. The awards criteria are design and construction quality, innovations, safety performance, community benefit and overcoming challenges.

“At AECOM, we embrace and enable better collaboration through our diverse teams and international nature. Our ‘Think and Act Globally’ strategy sets a new standard of excellence and is focused on extending AECOM’s industry-leading, global expertise to all projects we work on,” concludes Darrin Green, AECOM Africa MD.