PITTSBURGH – February 26, 2010

Michael Baker Jr., Inc., an engineering unit of Michael Baker Corporation (NYSE Amex:BKR), is pleased to announce that work performed for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) on the Interstate 79 and Interstate 376 (Parkway West)  “Missing Ramps” Project has won the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania (ACEC/PA) Diamond Honor Award for Transportation; the Engineers Society of Western Pennsylvania (ESWP) Project of the Year Award; and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Pittsburgh Section 2010 Civil Engineering Achievement Award. 

This project consisted of the construction of two direct connection ramps at the existing interchange of Interstate 79 and the Parkway West, providing a direct link between Interstate 79 and the Pittsburgh International Airport.  This eliminated the need for daily commuters to use the overcrowded and increasingly congested State Route 60, a two-lane roadway which for the past 36 years had served as the main corridor for more than 13,000 vehicles a day. 

“The successful completion of the Missing Ramps Project improves access and creates economic opportunities in the northern and western suburbs of Downtown Pittsburgh,” said Cheryl Moon-Sirianni, P.E., Assistant District Executive, Design Division, PennDOT District 11.  “Baker and its subconsultants (SAI, Monaloh, Ackenheil, MTA, and the TBE Group) were able to provide final design and construction services that met the Department’s funding, schedule and design criteria.”

In addition to the missing ramps, a third lane was added in each direction on the Parkway West to improve traffic flow; permanent wetland and stream mitigation improvements constructed; Intelligent Transportation Systems components installed; and a stormwater management facility was designed and constructed.

Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc., of Canonsburg, Pa., was the general contractor for the project, and M.A. Beech provided construction inspection.

Michael Baker Corporation (www.mbakercorp.com) provides architecture, engineering and construction services for its clients’ most complex challenges worldwide.  The firm's primary business areas are aviation, defense, environmental, facilities, geospatial, homeland security, municipal & civil, pipelines & utilities, rail & transit, transportation and water.  With more than 2,300 employees in over 40 offices across the United States, Baker is focused on creating value by delivering innovative and sustainable solutions for infrastructure and the environment.

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Contact:
David Higie

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