Muller Engineering Company (Muller), in conjunction with its project partners, was honored with the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) 2026 Engineering Excellence Award for the I-70 Mount Vernon Emergency Escape Ramp Reconstruction project. Read about all of the winners on the ACEC website here.
The Problem and the Challenges: Despite its critical location, the original ramp was underused due to poor visibility, hidden placement behind a curve, intimidating infrastructure, and limited approach options. Site conditions made reconstruction complex: the ramp is perched on a steep slope above Mount Vernon Creek, adjacent to a highway carrying 82,000 vehicles per day. Construction had to be completed without taking the ramp offline during the summer when brake failures peak, which meant an aggressive winter-only construction schedule in snow, freeze-thaw cycles, and limited daylight. Additionally, standard design manuals for urban-adjacent mountain EERs do not exist, requiring the team to create customized, right-sized solutions.
Innovative, Human-Centered Solutions: The redesign transformed the ramp into a trusted, highly visible safety feature. Key innovations include:
- Repositioned Entrance & Longer Runway – The ramp’s entry was made more visible and easier to navigate, giving drivers crucial seconds to react.
- Custom TL-5 Impact-Rated Crash Wall – Engineered to withstand a 260,000-pound impact, this wall prevents runaway trucks from tumbling into the canyon and gives drivers the confidence to commit to entry.
- Traversable Gutter Pan – Replacing the barrier curb, the traversable gutter pan allows late entry even if another truck is already using the ramp.
- Maintenance & Recovery Upgrades – Barrier-protected pull-off bays and tow anchors enable quick, safe recovery operations, minimizing impacts to traffic.
- Intelligent Transportation Systems – Real-time message boards, alternating flashing beacons, closed circuit television monitoring, and future-ready detection capabilities, all based on feedback from over 3,000 truck drivers.
- Environmental Safeguards – Underground firewater containment vaults protect Mount Vernon Creek from hazardous runoff in the event of a vehicle fire.
