The Foresthill Bridge T‑1 Steel Inspection and Repair Project has earned a National Recognition Award in the , one of the engineering profession’s most prestigious national honors.
Led by Atlas in partnership with Placer County, the project was selected for national recognition following its Honor Award win at the , advancing it to competition at the national level.
The National Recognition Award distinguishes projects that demonstrate exceptional engineering merit, innovation and public value on a national stage.
“This national recognition from ACEC affirms the caliber of work Atlas delivers every day,” said Tom Price, Atlas Infrastructure President. “The Foresthill Bridge project demanded technical excellence and an unwavering commitment to public safety — and our team rose to that challenge. The bridge itself has long held personal meaning for me; I remember walking across it with my great grandfather when it first opened. We’re proud of the dedication our engineers and inspectors brought to this work and honored to partner with Placer County on a project that improves local safety while helping shape national guidance for managing critical infrastructure.”
Engineering excellence at California’s tallest bridge
The Foresthill Bridge, California’s tallest bridge, rises more than 730 feet above the American River canyon and spans 2,428 feet, carrying more than 50,000 vehicles daily between Auburn and Foresthill. Built in 1973 using T‑1 steel, the bridge became part of a federally funded initiative to examine fracture‑critical welds in legacy steel structures nationwide.
Atlas was selected to perform comprehensive non‑destructive ultrasonic testing of 288 fracture‑critical steel welds, a complex undertaking that required inspectors to work at heights exceeding 700 feet while maintaining continuous traffic flow.
Safety-driven results with national impact
Testing revealed a significantly higher‑than‑anticipated defect rate, prompting Atlas to adapt inspection protocols in real time. The team completed 44 targeted weld repairs to American Welding Society (AWS) standards, accelerating safety improvements while maintaining zero safety incidents despite challenging weather and site conditions.
Beyond improving safety for Placer County residents, findings from the Foresthill Bridge project are informing Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidance for evaluating T‑1 steel bridges across the country, contributing to a broader shift toward proactive infrastructure maintenance.
National recognition in Washington, D.C.
Atlas and Placer County were honored at the ACEC 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards Gala on May 5, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C., where National Recognition Award winners were celebrated alongside the nation’s top engineering achievements.