Northeast Transmission Line Receives National Recognition Award from ACEC 2025 Engineering Excellence Awards

The Northeast Transmission Line has been honored with a National Recognition Award in the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) 2025 Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) competition. As the largest water line project in the City of Houston’s history, this accolade is a testament to the project’s significant achievement in engineering excellence on a national scale.

Spanning 16.5 miles, the Northeast Transmission Line is designed to convey treated surface water from the Northeast Water Purification Plant westward to various take points. This project is pivotal in meeting the region’s projected water demand and ensuring compliance with the Harris Galveston Subsidence District mandate to reduce overall groundwater consumption. The line, constructed in 13 segments, was a partnership between City of Houston, North Harris County Regional Water Authority (NHCRWA), Central Harris County Regional Water Authority (CHCRWA) and North Fort Bend Water Authority (NFBWA). It featured innovative engineering solutions such as ‘hot tap’ interconnections and extensive tunneling to navigate urban challenges.

Christine Kirby, PE, ENV SP, the project manager for the Northeast Transmission Line, expressed her pride in the project’s recognition. “This award highlights the dedication and expertise of our team in delivering a solution that meets the community’s immediate needs and sets a standard for future infrastructure projects. The Northeast Transmission Line reflects our commitment to engineering excellence and sustainable development,” said Kirby.

Planning, engineering and program management firm Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) served as technical advisor and was involved in complex coordination with multiple stakeholders. The project pipeline ranges in diameter from 54 to 120 inches and traverses developed urban areas with major roadways, rail lines and bayous, delivering water to more than 4 million people across the Houston region.

The project will be recognized at the 2025 ACEC EEA Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony in May 2025 in Washington, DC.