Award-Winning Infrastructure: APWA Honors Kleinfelder’s Impact on Seven Projects
SAN DIEGO (June 3, 2025) – As part of its annual awards program, the American Public Works Association (APWA) San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter honored numerous public works projects, including seven that were successfully delivered with significant Kleinfelder contributions. Each project plays a critical role in supporting infrastructure reliability, redundancy, safety, clean water, flood mitigation, and keeping the city moving. The projects are varied and include emergency roadway repair, utilities, underground activities, expedited design, and diverted stormwater to support clean water and make our streets safer for bicyclists and residents.
Kleinfelder Southern California Area Manager Thomas Minter remarked on the awards:
“Kleinfelder is honored to have played an integral role in these award-winning infrastructure projects. These awards are a testament to the team’s expertise and their commitment to delivering thoughtful client solutions while supporting and enhancing the community through resilient, reliable, and safe infrastructure.”
Kleinfelder Major Client Account Manager and APWA National President-Elect Vic Bianes also acknowledged the importance of planning, designing, and constructing, essential infrastructure at the local, state, and national level which is so vital to advancing the quality of life for all in our communities.
“Kleinfelder’s work on these projects is making communities safer, more connected, and more resilient—one bridge, bikeway, and water system at a time.”
Vic’s term as APWA National President will officially begin during the APWA’s Public Works Expo in Chicago later this year.
Disaster or Emergency Construction Repair Project of the Year – Avocado Avenue Rockfall Mitigation, City of El Cajon
As the primary geotechnical engineer for the City of El Cajon’s Avocado Avenue Rockfall Mitigation, which received the Disaster or Emergency Construction Repair Project of the Year Award, Kleinfelder was responsible for an expedited field investigation, design, and plans and specifications to construct a high-tensile steel wire mesh and rock nail anchor mitigation system. Heavy seasonal rains, overhanging rock and soil, and groundwater seepage loosened several boulders along a key transportation artery, severely impacting commuters, residents, and several communities. Working closely with the City, Kleinfelder developed an effective and economical solution, restoring local resident traffic and safety on Avocado Avenue.
Transportation Project of the Year – Pershing Drive Bikeway, SANDAG
The San Diego Association of Government’s Pershing Drive Bikeway has been awarded Project of the Year for significantly improving connectivity, safety, and access between Downtown San Diego and the North Park neighborhood. While serving as a subconsultant, Kleinfelder was responsible for bridge and wall design and geotechnical and construction phase services for this 2.3-mile bikeway artery. Additional safety and enhancement features included a steel truss bridge and a 240-foot-long soldier pile wall. This project promotes biking as a safe and sustainable alternative to driving while significantly improving drainage and mitigating frequent roadway flooding.
Utilities Project of the Year – South Bay Storm Water Diversion, City of San Diego
The City of San Diego’s South Bay Storm Water Diversion at the South Bay Water Reclamation Plant (SBWRP) received Utilities Project of the Year Award for improving reclaimed water quality and reliability. Kleinfelder served as prime design and construction services consultant providing civil, mechanical, electrical, structural, and geotechnical engineering. Without disrupting plant operations, equipment located 30 feet underground was successfully retrofitted. Regular communication, coordination, and collaboration between all stakeholders was the key to successful pump, pipeline, and diversion structure replacement. The result is a more efficient design that extends the life of the pump and exceeds consent decree requirements by more than 20 percent. Rather than discharging facility stormwater into local waters, including the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Harbor, the project captures and diverts 100 percent of runoff into an onsite treatment system.
Sustainable/Green Project of the Year – Live Oak Springs Water System, Well #6, County of San Diego
Serving as prime consultant, Kleinfelder Construction Services was responsible for construction management and inspection services for the County of San Diego’s Sustainable/Green Project of the Year Live Oak Springs Water System, Well No. 6. This potable water well serves a redundant but critical role, ensuring the community has a reliable water system during power outages and supporting regulatory requirements. To meet project needs, a consistently available qualified foreman and licensed hydrogeologist were required to support drilling, construction, well development, testing, and disinfecting. The final fully functional well includes an emergency backup generator and all mechanical and electrical instrumentation to serve the Live Oak Community.
Transportation Honor Award – East-West Corridors Multimodal Resurfacing and Restriping Enhancements, City of Carlsbad
Kleinfelder Construction Services played a key role in implementing long-term safety and maintenance improvements for more than 16 miles of major roadways as part of the City of Carlsbad’s East-West Corridors Multimodal Resurfacing and Restriping Enhancements. While restriping and resurfacing doesn’t seem glamorous, it’s one of the best ways to avoid road fatalities during bicycle and vehicle collisions. As a result of an emergency declaration, several bike lanes, buffer spaces, and visibility at driveways and intersections were expanded. While expediting implementation, public feedback was incorporated and safety was enhanced, providing a quick response to urgent community needs.
Structures Honor Award – Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, Pedestrian Bridge Repair Phase 2, City of Chula Vista
Kleinfelder served as Construction Manager for the City of Chula Vista’s Elite Athlete Training Center (CVEATC) Pedestrian Bridge Repair. Improvements included removing and replacing a damaged pedestrian bridge; adding retaining walls; pathway, drainage, and lighting improvements; relocating the guard house; and enhancing landscaping. Successful and efficient project delivery required working closely with the contractor to promptly address challenges while implementing proven bridge construction expertise. This project provides better access and functionality, security improvements, and enhanced aesthetics to the marquee facility.
Transportation Category $26-$75 Million, Project of The Year – La Media Road Improvements, City of San Diego
Kleinfelder served as Construction Manager providing both management and Construction Survey Staking for the City of San Diego Otay Mesa La Media Road Improvements. This $60.6 million infrastructure enhances safety, reduces congestion, and addresses chronic flooding at one of California’s largest commercial land ports utilized by more than 3,000 commercial vehicles a day. Improvements include widening the roadway to six-lanes, raising an intersection to install drainage infrastructure, and adding storm drains, traffic signals, buffered bike lanes, parkway landscaping, curb ramps and continental sidewalks. Designed to mitigate congestion and resolve long-standing flood risks, these upgrades support the critical movement of goods and services statewide.
Kleinfelder. Bright People. Right Solutions. Founded in 1961, Kleinfelder is a leading engineering, design, construction management, construction materials inspection and testing, and environmental professional services firm. Kleinfelder employs more than 3,300 professionals and operates from over 110 office locations in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The company is headquartered in San Diego, California. Poised for growth, Kleinfelder continues to provide high-quality solutions for a diverse client base. For more information about Kleinfelder, please visit Kleinfelder.com or follow us on LinkedIn/Kleinfelder.
