State, national honors for bridge

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The city of Fort Wayne’s Traffic Engineering Department and local design firm DLZ Indiana has been honored with state and national recognition for its work on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge.

On Tuesday at Purdue University, the Indiana Partnership for Transportation Quality presented the city the Achievement Award for an Urban Bridge. The award recognizes the many agencies and residents involved in the design, innovation and memorial aspects of the bridge.

On Monday, the American Council of Engineering Companies, based in Washington, D.C., will honor city engineers and DLZ Indiana with the Engineering Excellence Merit Award.

The award mentions the bridge’s distinguishing engineering design features, such as the 50-foot arch, sculptural etchings, quotes from Dr. King, safer pedestrian access and color-changing lights.