RK&K has been named the 2023 ENR MidAtlantic Design Firm of the Year. The firm will be recognized in the June print issue of ENR MidAtlantic.  

The Design Firm of the Year demonstrates success in the region from a growth and revenue standpoint as well as innovation, creativity and a commitment to giving back to its community. Previous MidAtlantic winners include Alpha Corp., Herbert, Rowland & Grubic Inc. (HRG), Clark Nexsen, WSP, ECS Mid-Atlantic, KCI Technologies Inc., Whitman Requardt and Associates, Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson and Pennoni Associates.  

The Baltimore-based multi-discipline civil engineering firm provides services such as construction management and surveying, as well as environmental and resiliency, right-of-way, site development, structures, transportation and utilities and energy work. It works in the education, federal. health care, municipal and recreational markets, among others.  

The firm has 18 offices in the MidAtlantic, and also has offices in the Southeast and South Central U.S. 

“It’s a tremendous honor, and we thank ENR’s editorial team for selecting RK&K as the 2023 MidAtlantic Design Firm of the Year!” Melinda Peters, a partner at the firm said in a statement. “To earn this award as we celebrate 100 years makes the honor even more special. The recognition is a result of our teams delivering exceptional services to our clients and is a testament to our firm’s century-long commitment to technical strength, teamwork, and collaboration.” 

The firm contributes to local food banks in all the cities in has offices in the region and its women’s leadership forum also hosted a professional clothing drive, donating more than 800 professional clothing items firm-wide in late 2022 to eight organizations.

 The firm’s top regional projects include:

 The DC PLUG initiative

The $500 million DC PLUG initiative is a partnership between the District of Columbia and Pepco, the local electrical service provider, to improve the reliability and resiliency of the D.C. electric system by placing select and more vulnerable feeder systems underground. This program is designing and constructing more than 15 underground feeder projects across five of the eight wards in the District (comprised of more than 50 miles of underground conduits) and is providing opportunities for the District-based business community to grow and build capacity for future projects. It is expected to take nearly a decade to finish the design and construction of the feeder projects. RK&K, as the lead firm in the JV (Capitol Underground Partners), is supporting DDOT with Program Management Consulting (PMC) Services. RK&K is leading the PMC Team in support of DDOT in all phases of program delivery including initiation, planning, procurement, design oversight, execution, construction quality oversight, monitoring and controlling, and eventual closeout. 

Richmond Highway (U.S. 1) BRT

RK&K is currently providing Program Management services as part of a Joint Venture Contract to Fairfax County, Va., to implement new 7.4-mile-long bus rapid transit (BRT) system along Richmond Highway (US 1) between the Huntington Metrorail Station and Ft. Belvoir. The BRT system is a key part of Fairfax County’s plan to accommodate population and employment growth, address congestion, improve access, and foster economic development in communities along the corridor. As program manager, for this 10-plus year contract, RK&K’s role is to supplement county staff for delivering the entire $730 million program from planning to operations. Technical activities include; program management services; project controls including estimating, scheduling, document control and risk management; environmental documentation; FTA New Starts Coordination and deliverables; public outreach and third-party coordination; 100% design for the entire 7.4 mile corridor; and right-of-way design and acquisition services; hazmat surveys; permitting, third-party agreements; and construction management services.

I-495 & I-270 Managed Lanes Study

The historic effort to reduce traffic congestion for millions of people in the Washington, D.C. area hit a final key milestone in August 2022. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued the Record of Decision (ROD) for the I-495 & I-270 Managed Lanes Study. With the issuance of the ROD, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process is completed for the Study. RK&K’s transportation planning, natural resources, and traffic teams led the development of the preferred alternative which would replace the aging 60-year-old American Legion Bridge over the Potomac River connecting Maryland and Virginia. The plan works to reduce traffic congestion along I-495 and I-270 to allow people to reach their destinations faster and remove overflow traffic from nearby roads. RK&K’s environmental team led the extensive approach to minimize the natural, cultural, and socio-economic impact of the project on wetlands and waterways, threatened/endangered species, and historic buildings and sites in the area. The innovative approach included an interactive online GIS mapping tool, developed and maintained by RK&K’s GIS group, allowing the public to review the project and view potential impacts on the community. RK&K supported the coordination with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies, as well as elected leaders and an environmental justice working group. The completion of the NEPA phase of the project is a result of more than four years of work and coordination, with RK&K serving as the lead consultant for MDOT SHA. 

Last year, RK&K ranked No. 7 on the ENR MidAtlantic Design Firm of the Year survey with $188.3 million in revenue. The previous year, the firm ranked No. 8 with $184.73 million in revenue. To find out where RK&K ranks in this year’s Top Design Firm survey, and to learn more about the firm, check out the June issue of ENR MidAtlantic.