Garver, City of Norman wins ACEC Oklahoma Grand Conceptor Award

Garver and the City of Norman, Oklahoma were recently recognized by ACEC Oklahoma as winners of the 2025 Engineering Excellence Grand Conceptor award for the James Garner Avenue Extension project. The Grand Conceptor award is presented to a firm or company leading innovative problem solving and outstanding engineering solutions in the state of Oklahoma.  

James Garner Avenue is a major corridor passing through downtown Norman, effectively serving as a gateway into the city. Serving as lead design firm for the project, Garver’s work on the extension expanded the roadway to include a two-lane divided boulevard with 12-foot lanes and both realigned and extended the multimodal ADA-compliant Legacy Trail to accommodate high traffic volume and provide a safe and accessible facility for pedestrians and cyclists. The extension’s low impact corridor design features landscaped medians and green spaces using native plants and hardy trees directly benefit storm water drainage and reduce runoff.

“Our work on the James Garner Avenue Extension is a fantastic example of Garver’s complete innovative streets approach,” said Municipal Team Leader Bret Cabbiness, PE. “Through close collaboration with numerous stakeholders, the James Garner family, and other city planners, we delivered a comprehensive solution for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and ultimately, the city.”

Garver also introduced one of Oklahoma’s first multi-lane roundabouts at Flood Avenue, creating smoother traffic movement with minimized delays and lowering the potential for severe-impact crashes by an average of 80%. To help increase awareness around the new roundabout, Garver partnered with the City of Norman to produce educational videos that were shared with the community prior to the roundabout’s opening.

“I’m proud of our team for navigating complex challenges such as the project’s proximity to the railroad and finding innovative solutions to enhance Norman’s downtown accessibility and economic vitality,” said Cabbiness. “The work we’re doing in Norman exemplifies the highest standards of engineering and our passion for the city’s heritage and James Garner’s legacy. This project provides a firm foundation for the city’s transportation future and supports the safety of our community.”