The 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards Banquet, hosted by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida (ACEC Florida), proved to be an inspiring evening celebrating the innovation, ingenuity, and impact of Florida’s engineering community. This prestigious annual event brings together industry leaders, project teams, and distinguished judges to recognize the projects that are shaping the future of infrastructure and improving quality of life across the state.

Evaluated by a multi-disciplinary panel of experts, each award-winning project is selected based on criteria such as technical complexity, innovation, sustainability, and positive social and economic impact. The top honor of the evening, the Grand Conceptor Award, represents the highest level of engineering achievement recognized by ACEC Florida.

Among the many celebrated firms in attendance, WGI stood out by earning two distinguished awards, including the event’s highest honor, underscoring our continued leadership in transportation engineering and infrastructure innovation.

The Highest Distinction: Grand Conceptor Award for JTA’s U²C Bay Street Innovation Corridor

WGI was honored to receive the prestigious Grand Conceptor Award for our work on the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s Ultimate Urban Circulator (U²C) Bay Street Innovation Corridor and Autonomous Innovation Center. This top distinction recognizes projects that exemplify the pinnacle of engineering excellence and demonstrate transformative impact on communities.

Selected for its innovation, complexity, and forward-thinking design, the U²C project represents a major step forward in urban mobility. The autonomous vehicle corridor will introduce advanced transportation technology into Jacksonville’s urban core, expanding mobility options and enhancing connectivity between downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.

Designed to improve accessibility while supporting economic growth and revitalization, the project demonstrates how cutting-edge engineering can help shape more connected, resilient, and future-ready communities. Receiving the Grand Conceptor Award places the U²C Bay Street Innovation Corridor among the most exemplary engineering achievements in Florida.

Honor Award Recognition for SR 865 San Carlos Boulevard

In addition to receiving the evening’s top honor, WGI also earned an Honor Award in the Transportation category for our work on SR 865 (San Carlos Boulevard), the primary gateway to Fort Myers Beach.

This project transformed a highly constrained and heavily traveled coastal corridor into a safer, more accessible, and multimodal transportation facility. Through innovative design solutions and close collaboration with stakeholders, the improvements enhanced mobility for residents, visitors, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users while preserving the unique character and environmental sensitivity of the surrounding coastal community.

This recognition highlights WGI’s ability to deliver thoughtful, community-centered solutions that address complex infrastructure challenges while creating lasting value.

Celebrating Engineering Excellence and Industry Leadership

The ACEC Florida Engineering Excellence Awards Banquet provided an opportunity for WGI associates to celebrate alongside peers, clients, and partners whose collaboration made these achievements possible. Throughout the evening, attendees viewed presentations showcasing the year’s most innovative projects and recognized the teams behind these impactful solutions.

Events like this serve as an important reminder of the vital role engineering plays in shaping communities, strengthening economies, and improving everyday life. From advancing autonomous vehicle infrastructure to enhancing critical coastal transportation corridors, WGI’s award-winning projects reflect our commitment to delivering forward-thinking solutions that make a meaningful difference.

Continuing a Legacy of Innovation

Receiving both the Grand Conceptor Award and an Honor Award at this year’s ACEC Florida Engineering Excellence Awards Banquet reinforces WGI’s dedication to excellence, innovation, and community impact. These recognitions are a testament to the expertise, creativity, and collaboration of our multidisciplinary teams and the strong partnerships we share with our clients.

As these award-winning projects continue to serve Florida’s communities, WGI remains committed to advancing infrastructure solutions that improve mobility, enhance resilience, and help build a smarter, more connected future.

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Contact WGI today to learn how our award-winning team can bring innovative, impactful solutions to your next project.