2026 Project Awards

BEST OVERALL DESIGN-BUILD PROJECT OF THE YEAR

& 

TRANSPORTATION ROADWAYS

DBIA Florida Region Design-Build Project of the Year

I-75 at US 301 Interchange Design-Build
Ellenton, FL

Ajax-Leware JV/RS&H

The Florida Department of Transportation District One Iâ75 at US 301 Interchange DesignâBuild transformed a critical regional gateway into a safer, higherâcapacity interchange built to serve Southwest Florida beyond 2050. The project replaced an outdated partial cloverleaf with a modern tight diamond interchange, widened 4.3 miles of Iâ75, reconstructed US 301 intersections, and delivered new ramp bridges over the Manatee River designed for the ultimate 10âlane corridor. Through an integrated designâbuild approach, the team advanced complex construction while maintaining traffic, reducing risk, and delivering longâterm operational performance.

TRANSPORTATION STRUCTURES

DBIA Florida Region Design-Build Project of the Year

South Corridor (South-Dade Transitway) Rapid Transit Project
Miami-Dade County, FL 

OHLA Team

Owner:

Miami-Dade County Dept. of Transportation and Public Works

Design-Builder:

OHLA Team

General Contractor:

OHLA USA

Engineer: 

Parsons Transportation Group, Inc.

Owner Advisor: 

HNTB

Photo credit: Robin Hill

The South Corridor Rapid Transit Project is a transformative transportation initiative designed to enhance mobility, connectivity, and sustainability throughout Miami-Dade County. Delivered through a comprehensive design-build approach for the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW), the project includes 14 modern Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations, refurbished passenger facilities, a multi-level park-and-ride garage, and advanced Intelligent Transportation Systems. Spanning approximately 20 miles of dedicated transit right-of-way, the corridor incorporates smart traffic signal preemption, enhanced safety features, real-time passenger information, and future adaptability for heavy rail conversion, creating a resilient, efficient, and community-focused transit solution for the region.

FEDERAL, STATE, COUNTY, MUNICIPAL

DBIA Florida Region Design-Build Project of the Year

Seminole County Justice Center Annex
Sanford, FL

Wharton-Smith, Inc.

Owner:

Seminole County 

Design-Builder / General Contractor:

Wharton-Smith, Inc.

Architects:

HKS Architects
DLR Group

Engineers:

Structural: Walter P. Moore
MEP: TLC Engineering

Wharton-Smith, DLR Group, and HKS Architects provided Design-Build services for the foundation of the Seminole County Justice Center Five Points project. This is the first phase of the 10-year master plan to further develop the justice and public services campus. The new 105,000 SF Annex building includes a two-story enclosed connector bridge and provides new Class-A office space for the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Public Defender, and State Attorney divisions. Each floor was designed with open workspaces and large office doors to encourage daylight and open-air spaces along the interior to promote a positive workplace environment.

REHABILITATION/RENOVATION AND/OR RESTORATION

DBIA Florida Region Design-Build Project of the Year

Hurricane Ian Pine Island Road and Little Pine Island Bridge Permanent Repairs
Matlacha, FL

Ajax Paving Industries, LLC

Owner:

Florida Department of Transportation, District 1
Lee County

Design-Builder/General Contractor:

Ajax Paving Industries, LLC

Engineer:

RS&H

Key Subcontractor:

Manhatta Road and Bridge Co.

Key Subconsultants:

INTERA, Inc.
Tierra, Inc.
VHB, Inc.
CW3 Engineering
ELEMENT Engineering Group, LLC
CEI: H & H

Restoring reliable access became urgent for community recovery and public safety following catastrophic damage to the only vehicular connection to Pine Island and Matlacha caused by Category 4 Hurricane Ian. FDOT District One, in coordination with Lee County, selected phased design?build delivery to accelerate roadway, drainage and utility reconstruction. Installation of sheet piles in the washout area east of Matlacha Pass was included to provide protection and resiliency during future storm events. The project also replaced the storm damaged Little Pine Island Bridge and seawalls. These improvements restored a critical lifeline and provided immediate access for residents and emergency responders.

WATER/WASTEWATER

DBIA Florida Region Design-Build Project of the Year

Tampa Bay Water Desalination Intake Pump Station - Phase 2
Gibsonton, FL

Archer Western - Wade Trim

Owner:

Tampa Bay Water

Design-Builder/General Contractor:

Archer Western Construction, LLC

Engineer:

Wade Trim

Design Criteria Professional:

Black & Veatch

Tampa Bay Water faced a critical challenge: ensuring the long-term reliability of one of the region?s only desalination facilities amid increasing drought conditions, growing infrastructure demands, and coastal vulnerability. In one of Florida?s most complex and operationally constrained environments, the Tampa Bay Water Desalination Intake Pump Station project provides a 50 MGD seawater intake system, seamlessly integrated into an active power generation facility undergoing conversion. Delivered ahead of schedule and under budget, this project represents a benchmark in Design-Build Done Right®, demonstrating how innovation, collaboration, and disciplined execution can overcome extreme logistical, environmental, and operational challenges.

TRANSPORTATION ROADWAYS

DBIA Florida Region Design-Build Honor Award

Summer Haven Beach Restoration / Old Highway A1A
St. Augustine, FL 

Superior Construction and DRMP

Owner:  

St. Johns County

Design-Builder:

Superior Construction 

Engineer: 

DRMP

Subconsultants: 

Geotechnical: Tierra, Inc.
Coastal Engineering: INTERA, Inc.

Subcontractor:

ASAP Construction Group

After Hurricane Matthew devastated Old Highway A1A in 2016, Summer Haven residents could only access their homes via a deteriorated sand road for eight years. Superior Construction and DRMP delivered a coastal resilience system through progressive design-build: 2,000 linear feet of epoxy-coated sheet pile wall extending up to 37 feet deep, 5,800 tons of granite revetment, an elevated concrete roadway and comprehensive drainage infrastructure. When two hurricanes struck during construction, incomplete areas washed out while completed sections sustained zero damage, validating the engineering approach. The $15.4M FEMA-funded project provides a replicable model for Florida's vulnerable coastal communities.

AVIATION

DBIA Florida Region Design-Build Honor Award

Tampa International Airport Monorail Decommissioning and Moving Walkways Installation
Tampa, FL 

Manhattan Construction Company

Owner: 

Hillsborough County Aviation Authority

Design-Builder/General Contractor: 

Manhattan Construction Company

Architect

C&S Companies

Key Specialty Subconsultants/Subcontractors: 

Voltair Consulting Engineers, Inc.
GFA International, Inc.

TPA Monorail Decommissioning and Moving Walkway Installation transformed passenger circulation at Tampa International Airport by replacing an aging monorail system with 12 state of the art moving walkways connecting the long and short term parking garages. Delivered within an active airport environment, the design build team safely decommissioned the existing monorail, performed complex structural demolition, and installed new walkways while maintaining continuous airport operations. Leveraging advanced technology, adaptive scheduling, and innovative construction methods, the project enhanced accessibility, improved the passenger experience, and delivered a modernized, efficient transportation solution that meets the evolving needs of one of Florida’s busiest airports.

WATER/WASTEWATER

DBIA Florida Region Design-Build Honor Award

Westside Regional WRF Pump Station & Headworks
Daytona Beach, FL

Wharton-Smith, Inc.

Owner:

City of Daytona Beach

Design-Builder/General Contractor:

Wharton-Smith, Inc.

Engineer:

Hazen & Sawyer

Wharton-Smith delivered Design-Build services for the Westside Regional Water Reclamation Facility Headworks and Influent Pump Station, providing vital upgrades to enhance system performance and reduce infrastructure pressure. The project included a new influent pump station (28.8 MGD capacity), advanced headworks with automated screening and grit removal, and high-level automation. Supported by 181 deep auger cast piles, the facility also features a new electrical building with dual 750-kW generators for storm resilience. Beginning in May 2021, Wharton-Smith used value engineering and proactive planning to overcome SCADA integration, utility conflicts, and long-lead equipment challenges.

WATER/WASTEWATER

DBIA Florida Region Design-Build Honor Award

South County Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility Modular Expansion
Ruskin, FL 

Wharton-Smith, Inc. - Hazen and Sawyer

Owner:

Hillsborough County

Design-Builder / General Contractor:

Wharton-Smith, Inc.

Engineer:

Hazen and Sawyer

Owner's Advisor:

Carollo Engineers, Inc.

RPR Services:

Lane Engineering
Plummer Associates, Inc.

Key Specialty Subcontractors:

Westra Construction Corp., Cogburn Bros Inc., Keller North America, Integcrete, Exceletech Coatings and Applications LLC, Rocha Controls, Automated Controls of Tampa, T B Landmark Construction, Inc.

Key Subconsultants:

Ardurra Group, Electrical Design Associates, McKim and Creed, Wekiva Engineering, Arehna Engineering

The South County Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility Modular Expansion is a fixed-price design-build project for Hillsborough County, Florida, increasing plant capacity from 10 to 13 MGD. Delivered in three phases, the project adds critical infrastructure including reject water storage and pump station, filtration systems, chemical treatment, pump upgrades, headworks improvements, clarifiers, bioreactor improvements, and electrical upgrades. This expansion supports regional growth, enhances water quality, and ensures regulatory compliance. The collaborative approach emphasizes value engineering, cost control, and schedule optimization while maintaining uninterrupted operations, positioning the facility to meet the community’s long-term wastewater treatment needs.

FEDERAL, STATE, COUNTY, MUNICIPAL

DBIA Florida Region Design-Build Merit Award

City of Orlando Fire Station #6
Orlando, FL 

H. J. High Construction

Owner: 

City of Orlando

Design-Builder / General Contractor:

H. J. High Construction

Architect: 

Architects Design Group

Engineers:  

AVCON
SGM Engineering
TLC Engineering Solutions
Bowen Engineering Corporation

The new City of Orlando Fire Station #6 is a 15,913-square foot, four-bay facility that has been strategically relocated to enhance response times for the Orlando Executive Airport, Baldwin Park, the Milk District, and surrounding communities. Designed with firefighter health and safety at the forefront, the station features advanced decontamination systems, individual bunk rooms, and specialized spaces to support the personnel. The modern facility incorporates state-of-the-art technology, improved operational functionality, and dedicated training and wellness areas. This station stands as a forward-thinking investment in community safety and mission-ready infrastructure.

FEDERAL, STATE, COUNTY, MUNICIPAL

DBIA Florida Region Design-Build Merit Award

The City of Bunnell Administration and Police Complex
Bunnell, FL

The Collage Companies

Owner: 

City of Bunnell

Design-Builder/General Contractor: 

The Collage Companies

Architect: 

Halff Architecture - project Architect, MEP Engineers and Landscape

Engineer: 

SWA Engineering

The project was designed and built on 2.83 acres in the City of Bunnell. The new complex included a combined 17,700 SF complex that includes the City Administration offices, that incorporates most of the city services in one location. A versatile multi-use assembly hall, that will be used by the city council and other city functions, as well as a state-of-the-art Police Complex, featuring all services necessary to accommodate the city’s growing population. The project also included emergency service capability with an LPG generator and designed to higher design standards for use in emergency situations.

EDUCATION

DBIA Florida Region Design-Build Merit Award

Jacksonville University Athletic Center
Jacksonville, FL

Haskell

Owner: 

Jacksonville University

Design-Builder/General Contractor: 

Haskell

Architect/Engineer: 

Haskell

The New Jacksonville University Athletic Center replaced  an obsolete amenity into a vibrant oasis. At its center is a 5,000 SF pool designed to support relaxation, recreation and structured fitness training. Features of the pool create positive experiences for swimmers of all ages and abilities.

An expansive 11,000 SF sun deck surrounds the pool, offering space to gather with friends or take in sweeping views of St. Johns River. A 4,500 SF amenity building provides locker rooms and areas for students to relax or study, providing an environment that elevates both wellness and community on campus.

TRANSPORTATION ROADWAYS

DBIA Florida Region Design-Build Merit Award

SR A1A Volusia/Flagler Emergency Seawall Restoration
Volusia and Flagler Counties, FL

Superior Construction Company Southeast, LLC and Kisinger Campo & Associates

Owner: 

Florida Department of Transportation, District 5

Design-Builder/General Contractor: 

Superior Construction Company Southeast, LLC

Engineer: 

Kisinger Campo & Associates

Key Specialty Subcontractors and Subconsultants: 

ECHO UES, LLC, Dan Brown & Associates, GeoData Consultants, Inc., INTERA, Inc., Miller, Legg and Associates, Inc., Mott MacDonald Solutions, LLC, SEARCH, Inc., Universal Engineering Sciences, LLC

After Tropical Storm Nicole accelerated decades of erosion along SR A1A, FDOT District 5 selected Superior Construction through emergency procurement to design and install a permanent seawall protection system along 13,650 linear feet of vulnerable coastline in Volusia and Flagler Counties. The design-build team installed a permanent secant wall system reinforced with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) across two project sections approximately five miles apart, placed 172,000 tons of color-matched sand and restored protective dunes. Throughout construction, crews maintained beach access for residents. The project was delivered on schedule and $12.4 million under the contract ceiling.

WATER/WASTEWATER

DBIA Florida Region Design-Build Merit Award

Gibson Place Utility Company WWTP #1, Phase 1
Wildwood, FL

Garney & Halff

Owner: 

The Villages Vikus Water

Design-Builder/General Contractor: 

Garney

Engineer: 

Halff

Specialty Subconsultants/Subcontractors: 

North Lake Electric, Exceletech Coatings & Applications, Bailey Engineering, Southeast Structural, Andreyev Engineering, KP Studio Architects

Photo credit: Halff

The Gibson Place Utility Company WWTP is a greenfield wastewater treatment plant delivered using a Progressive Design-Build approach to support the rapid growth of The Villages, the fastest-growing retirement community in the world. Early and ongoing collaboration among the Owner, Engineer, and Contractor enabled Phase I of the facility to be designed, permitted, constructed and cleared for use in 29 months. Phased design packages, early procurement of long-lead equipment, and expedited permitting enabled construction to begin before full design completion. The Progressive Design-Build method also provided flexibility to address karst subsurface conditions and evolving owner needs without impacting project schedule. 

WATER/WASTEWATER

DBIA Florida Region Design-Build Merit Award

Lockhart WTP Expansion DB
Brooksville, FL

Archer Western - Wade Trim

Owner: 

Hernando County

Design-Builder/Contractor: 

Archer Western Construction, LLC

Engineer: 

Wade Trim

Key Subconsultants/Subcontractors: 

Mead & Hunt, Arehna Engineering, WSP, SuncoastLandSurveying

The Lockhart Water Treatment Plant expansion is the first Best Value design-build project for the utilities department of Hernando County, Florida. The Fixed-Price Design Build project enhances potable water capacity and reliability to support rapid community growth and increased fire flow demands in the County’s Northeast region. Key improvements included the design and construction of a new 2-million-gallon ground storage tank, high service pump station with three 200-hp pumps, new well house with a vertical turbine groundwater pump, liquid chemical storage and feed facility, new generator, raw water piping, and extensive site improvements including soil stabilization and stormwater management.

WATER/WASTEWATER

DBIA Florida Region Design-Build Merit Award

Bayshore Pumpin Station Rehabilitation
Tampa, FL

PCL Construction

Owner: 

City of Tampa

Design-Builder/General Contractor: 

PCL Construction

Engineer: 

Stantec

The Bayshore Pumping Station Rehabilitation exemplifies Design-Build Done Right® by addressing a critical infrastructure challenge through early collaboration, shared risk management, and a single point of responsibility. Using a progressive design-build approach, the integrated team transformed an aging wet well/dry well facility into a fully submersible wet well system, relocated flood-vulnerable electrical components above grade, and increased pumping capacity to meet long-term demand. Executed within a narrow median along Bayshore Boulevard, the project maintained uninterrupted wastewater service while improving resilience, safety, and operational reliability for the City of Tampa in a highly visible, community-sensitive environment.