FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
For more information, contact:
PORT OF CENTRALIA
Kyle Heaton, Executive Director
Phone: (360) 736-3527
Email: Heaton @portofcentralia.com
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PORT CENTRALIA PROJECT RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS ENGINEERING AWARD
Centralia, Wash. — The Port of Centralia is excited to announce that AECOM, the trusted global infrastructure leader and lead designer for its Mellen Street Connector project, was awarded the Silver Award for Client/Owner Expectations at the 2025 American Council of Engineering Companies of Washington (ACEC) Engineering Excellence Awards.
The Mellen Street Connector project connects the Port’s Centralia Station development with Interstate 5 through the construction of a new road off the Mellen Street Couplet Bridge, an additional turn lane on the existing Interstate 5 northbound off-ramp, and an expanded intersection. According to the ACEC Washington, “AECOM served as the prime consultant and lead designer, working closely with the Port through every stage, from preliminary design to construction management.” The work was completed by Scarsella Brothers, Inc, of Kent, Washington.
Centralia Station is a new 26-acre mixed-use development. Anchor tenant WinCo Foods is currently under construction and is expected to open later in 2025. Once completed, Centralia Station is expected to create over 500 jobs and generate $118 million in annual revenue.
AECOM is an award-winning Fortune 500 design and engineering firm with offices around the globe, including Seattle, Washington.
AECOM Project Manager Bryan Huschka said, “This project is a great achievement for the Port of Centralia. The Mellen Street Connector project demonstrates the power transportation infrastructure has to positively benefit communities.”
Port of Centralia Executive Director Kyle Heaton stated, “AECOM has been an extremely valuable member of the Port’s development team for this project. AECOM’s expertise in project design, construction and navigating the regulatory permit process with the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration was instrumental in delivering the award-winning project on time and under budget.”
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Founded in 1986, the Port of Centralia operates two industrial parks and one planned mixed-use development that provide over 2,100 jobs to the local community. The Port’s over 30 tenants include Sierra Pacific Industries, Walmart, UNFI and Dick’s Brewing Company.
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