The Rosie Hackett Bridge, which links the north and south banks of the River Liffey, has been voted Engineering Project of the Year by the Irish public. The winner was announced at the fifth annual Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards, in association with ESB on Friday, 7^th November.

The Rosie Hackett Bridge by Dublin City Council, Roughan & O’Donovan, Sean Harrington Architects and Grahams is the newest bridge overlooking Dublin’s riverscape. The graceful structure, with a total depth of only 45.7 centimetres at mid span, just 15 centimetres longer than a standard ruler, connects the north and south of the city centre with two southbound bus lanes, one southbound light rail (LUAS) track, two footpaths and two cycle tracks.

Speaking about the bridge, Tony Dempsey, chartered engineer and director at Roughan and O’Donovan, said the Rosie Hackett Bridge set a new standard in the capabilities of structural concrete, exceeding anything that has been achieved in Ireland before. The span to depth ratio on this bridge has received international acclaim and is a match for anything seen globally.

He continued, “The objective for the Rosie Hackett Bridge was not to create a dramatic statement. It was required to be understated, respecting the rich cultural heritage of the immediate environs. This is not to say that the Rosie Hackett Bridge could ever be considered an ordinary bridge. In many ways the technology required to achieve the simplicity is the extraordinary triumph of this bridge.

The Rosie Hackett delivers increased commuter connectivity and faster travel times which provide travel time benefits for both the public and the economy.” added Tony.

In addition to Rosie Hackett, women in engineering dominated the awards. Dervilla Mitchell, chartered engineer and leader of Arup’s aviation business in the UK, Middle East and Africa was presented the ESB Outstanding Contribution to Engineering Award. Dervilla has led teams on two major pieces of aviation infrastructure in Ireland and the UK; Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport and Terminal 5 at London Heathrow. A graduate of UCD, she is a founding member of her organisation’s women’s network as well as championing an Inclusive Leadership Programme to address unconscious bias and deliver a more diverse organisation. Earlier this year she was appointed by the UK Prime Minister to the Council for Science and Technology.

Ann Kelleher, chartered engineer, vice president of Intel’s Technology and Manufacturing Group and FSM co-general manager, was awarded the Engineers Ireland President’s Award for demonstrating leadership in engineering. Among accomplishments in the  her career, Ann is the first Irish woman to have been named vice president in the company’s history.

The International Engineer of the Year award was presented to Aine Brazil, chartered engineer and vice chairwoman of New York engineering firm, Thornton Tomasetti, which employs over 800 people. Aine, who has led projects which now shape the New York skyline is a graduate of University College Galway and has also been named as one of New York’s ‘100 Most Influential Women in Business’*.

Speaking at the awards ceremony in Dublin’s Four Seasons Hotel, John Power, chartered engineer, Engineers Ireland Director General, congratulated Roughan and O’Donovan the organisation that delivered the Rosie Hackett Bridge. He said the newest addition to the family of bridges crossing the River Liffey maintained the tradition of technical excellence has set a new benchmark on an international level.

“The winners of the individual awards represent the talent, leadership and diversity in Irish engineering today. From technology and aviation to construction and senior management, and critical advances in breast cancer detection, Dervilla Mitchell, Ann Kelleher, Aine Brazil and Dr Martin O’Halloran personify excellence in engineering in Ireland and on the world’s stage.

“Once again this year, all the shortlisted entries highlight the contribution that the engineering sector makes to the economy and communities around Ireland and the world.” added John.

The Rosie Hackett Bridge came from a final shortlist of projects that also included Ballymore Eustace Water Treatment Plant, Bergen Light Rail Stage III, the Corrib Tunnel, Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm, South Africa and the structural safety assessments of garment factory buildings in Bangladesh.

In addition to the Engineering Project of the Year competition, the fourth Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards also included awards for:

Chartered Engineer of the Year sponsored by Hanley Energy    

·         Dr Martin O’Halloran, Chartered Engineer shortlisted for his pioneering leadership on the project ‘Exploring New Frontiers in Breast Cancer Detection using Microwave Imaging’

Local Authority Initiative sponsored by Groundforce

·         New Ross Quayfront Redevelopment –  Wexford County Council

Technological Innovation sponsored by NSAI

·         Domestic Assistant Robot aka Robbie the Robot – School of engineering, Trinity College Dublin

Protecting the Built Environment Award sponsored by OPW

·         Carlow Main Drainage Scheme by RPS Group Ltd

Engineering Education Award – ‘Best in Class 2014’ sponsored by CRH PLC

·         UCD Bologna Compliant Engineering Programme Development: Enhancing design thinking, industry engagement and internationalisation – UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Best Paper/Presentation Award sponsored by Griffiths & Armour and Beale and Company

·         “Greystones Harbour – Civil and Maritime Works”  – presented by Sean Mason, Chartered Engineer

Volunteer or Volunteer Group of the Year Award

·         Cormac Bradley, Chartered Engineer, Civil Division

CPD Employer of the Year sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland

·         DePuy Synthes Ireland – The journey from follower to global leader

www.engineersjournal.ie

*Source: Crain’s New York Business