APWA Project of the Year

MACON & TALMADGE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS

AWARD CATEGORY: SCRC – Disaster/Emergency Construction ($1-5 Million)

LOCATION: Brunswick, GA

YEAR: 2025

PROJECT TEAM: Agency – City of Brunswick, Consultant – GWES, LLC, Contractor – Woodard Construction Company, Inc.

We’re proud to share that GWES, alongside the City of Brunswick and Woodard Construction, was honored at the 11th Annual APWA Georgia Chapter Awards last week, where the Macon and Talmadge Drainage Improvements Project was named Project of the Year in the Disaster/Emergency Construction & Repair category!

This award recognizes the success of a transformative stormwater project that tackled chronic flooding and tidal backflow at a critical coastal intersection. Once frequently impassable—even during light rain—Macon and Talmadge now stands as a resilient, storm-ready corridor thanks to strategic design, nature-based solutions, and a collaborative approach.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:
• Replaced undersized drainage with dual 30-inch pipes
• Installed Tideflex Check Valves to prevent tidal backflow
• Added curb and gutter improvements to streamline runoff
• Integrated living shoreline stabilization for environmental resilience

From funding and permitting to design, construction, and community outreach—this project represents the best of what happens when clients, consultants, and contractors work together toward sustainable infrastructure solutions.

A big thank you to Garrow Alberson with the City of Brunswick, Ben Pierce with GWES, and Jason Woodard and the team at Woodard Construction for your leadership and teamwork throughout this effort.

We’re proud to see this project recognized and even more proud of the lasting impact it will have on the community.