Congratulations to Bolton & Menk and the City of Chaska on receiving the 2025 MnSPE Public Welfare Award, presented at the 2025 MnSPE Annual Meeting.
The Downtown Chaska Highway 41 Improvements project was honored with the Public Welfare Award for its focus on enhancing the quality of life for the community. This comprehensive project improved access and mobility while minimizing the environmental impact, creating a stronger and more connected downtown area.
Guided by a commitment to revitalizing downtown Chaska as a hub for community gatherings, this project overcame significant challenges through collaboration among MnDOT, Carver County, and multiple stakeholders. The result? A renewed downtown rooted in its historic charm and a transportation system designed for both safety and connectivity.
Notably, this project introduced the first implementation of a “Road Diet” on a principal arterial road in the Twin Cities Metro area. Through this innovative approach, traffic flow and pedestrian safety were significantly improved, paving the way for similar future initiatives across the region.
Individuals who accepted this award on behalf of the project team included Tim Lamkin and Dena King from Bolton & Menk, alongside Darin Mielke from Carver County. Their collective leadership and expertise exemplify the power of teamwork in achieving impactful results.
The Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers (MnSPE) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Project Awards. These awards celebrate the dedication and innovation of professional engineers whose projects protect and enhance the public’s health, safety, and welfare.