?The 22 projects receiving awards this year highlight some of the innovative and experienced approaches taken by private sector companies to solve engineering challenges in both the private and public sectors in California as well as deliver those projects on time, on budget and to the highest professional standards,? said Paul Meyer, executive director of ACEC California.

This year?s Grand Prize, the ?Golden State Award? is awarded to NY-based AECOM (NYSE: ACM) and Corgan Associates of Dallas, TX, for their work on Sacramento International Airport?s Big Build. The Big Build is the largest design-build contract ever executed by Sacramento County and also the largest capital improvement program in the county?s history. AECOM and Corgan?s innovative building and structural design solutions resulted in lower construction costs ? bringing the project in $60 million under budget -- while best practice management processes for work authorizations delivered this important program five months ahead of schedule.

Last year?s Golden State Award winner, San Francisco-based T.Y. Lin International, which won in 2010 for its work on the East Tie In Structure temporary detour on the SF-Oakland Bay Bridge Seismic Safety Project, picked up one of eight Honor Awards this year for its work on the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge, a single cable, self-anchored suspension bridge completed last March and linking Balboa Park to the Bayfront in San Diego.

Sixteen of the twenty-two winners are currently being recognized at the State Capitol in panels displayed on the wall outside the Governor?s office. For a full list of this year?s winners, click here.

The Golden State winners will be entered into the national awards for the organization, which will be announced in April.

About ACEC California: ACEC California is a statewide association representing more than 1,000 private consulting engineering and land-surveying firms that average 20 employees each. ACEC California is dedicated to enhancing the consulting engineering and land surveying professions, protecting the general public and promoting the use of the private sector in the growth and development of our state. Our members provide services for all phases of planning, designing and constructing projects. For more information, visit www.acec-ca.org.