Civil Engineering Magazine

Engineers have played an essential role in preparing cities and states for the 2021 hurricane season. Their efforts to protect the public and public infrastructure range from sea walls to sewer systems, with an emphasis on sustainability.

Houston, Los Angeles, and Denver top the list of the 10 best places to be a civil engineer this year — as they did last year. What's new? Seattle and the Research Triangle area of North Carolina have slipped; Austin, Texas, and Philadelphia are on the move; and Dallas is rising fast.

Over the last 12 years, the District of Columbia Public Library has undertaken the renovation and modernization of 22 libraries, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, arguably the most historically significant in the District's collection. The existing building, designed by celebrated modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, was a forgotten gem lost under years of deferred maintenance. After a $211 million makeover, the library reopened to the public in September 2020. At more than 400,000 sq ft, the revitalized building comprises vibrant, open multiuse spaces and a renovated rooftop that offers breathtaking city views. The design team sought to reinterpret one of the modernist movement's most influential architect's original designs. This was achieved through careful collaboration among the design team and a deep understanding of the original architecture and structure.

The Eastern Glades project in Houston has added a new artificial lake and other amenities to the city's Memorial Park. As a highlight of the park's 10-year master plan, the multifunction Hines Lake provides the local community with stormwater treatment, flood control protection, aquatic wildlife habitats, recreational facilities, and other benefits.

Nearly a decade ago, a 144-year-old covered bridge in Michigan was destroyed by arson. Its recently completed replacement was designed to look as identical as possible to the original structure while meeting more stringent loading demands associated with today's heavier vehicles.