Over 500 engineers and clients gathered at the Waldorf=Astoria on March 26, for the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York's (ACEC New York) 44th annual Engineering Excellence Awards gala. Hosted by NYSDOT Commissioner Joan McDonald, the "Academy Awards" of the engineering profession celebrated achievements in public infrastructure projects and private-sector works in the areas of buildings, energy, environmental, structural systems, transportation, and water and wastewater engineering. Twenty New York State consulting engineering firms were honored with ACEC New York's Diamond Award for 27 outstanding projects throughout the world, judged on their complexity, future value to the engineering profession, original or innovative application of new or existing technologies, and meeting or exceeding client needs. The Empire Award, which is given to the highest rated project in New York State based on contributions to the economic health of an area, sustainability, innovation and creativity, went to HDR for its Woodbury Toll Barrier Highway Speed E-ZPass, the first highway speed electronic tolling facility in New York. The toll barrier is within Interchange 16, one of the busiest locations on the New York State Thruway, connecting the Thruway with Rte. 17. HDR's work included an alternatives analysis, environmental assessments, public outreach sessions and preliminary and final design. The firm is headquartered in NYC, with eight branch offices throughout the state. Neil Lucey, chairman of ACEC New York, said of the winning firms, "The honorees are not the only winners - society is as well. The award-winning works connect communities, ensure safe and reliable energy and water, and make our buildings safe, efficient and comfortable. Our quality of life and economic future depend on the quality of our infrastructure and the buildings where we live, work and play, and they wouldn't exist were it not for engineers and their colleagues." Complete listings of the award-winning projects are posted on www.acecny.org.