The University of Michigan Health Helipad Evaluation and Reconstruction project in Ann Arbor, Michigan, designed by G2 Consulting Group (G2), has received the 2026 Civil Engineering Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The award honors projects that demonstrate advanced engineering practices, deliver meaningful benefits to their communities and contribute to the advancement of the civil engineering profession.

The project restored the critical medical transport facility after a sinkhole in September 2024 compromised the structural integrity of the hospital’s west helipad, halting operations. G2, as geotechnical engineer of record and principal subconsultant to Lawrence M. Clarke, Inc., led the technical response to restore the helipad.

“This was a challenging and rewarding project that required innovative thinking and constant collaboration,” said Mark Stapleton, P.E., Project Manager. “We are honored to be recognized for our team’s efforts in restoring such a vital facility.”

Instead of using conventional grouting to fill voids, the team chose full excavation to expose underground damage, repair a deteriorated manhole system and salvage intact segmental retaining wall blocks for reuse. G2 conducted soil evaluations, design computations and geotechnical testing during excavation, allowing design and construction to proceed simultaneously. The measurable outcomes of this decision included a rebuilt retaining wall system with an expected service life of 30 years or more, compared to the five-to-six-year lifespan that a partial repair might have delivered, and the rapid restoration of a critical hospital facility that serves thousands of patients annually through emergency air medical transport.

A major planning and design challenge was that the full extent of damage was unknown at the outset. While the initial investigation identified a deteriorated manhole and outlet pipe system that allowed soil migration and caused a sinkhole beneath the helipad, the size and extent of the underground voids could not be determined until demolition and excavation began. As excavation progressed, large subsurface voids were discovered, requiring an immediate reassessment of design assumptions and construction sequencing.  By integrating design, inspection and quality control, G2 delivered an enduring solution while minimizing disruption and restoring full functionality.

The $2 million reconstruction was completed in February 2025, and the helipad resumed full operations in April 2025.  The swift and technically sound restoration of this facility underscores how engineering judgment, informed by strong relationships between owners, engineers and contractors, directly supports emergency medical care. In doing so, the project demonstrates how civil engineering expertise directly supports public safety through the delivery of durable, dependable infrastructure solutions.

Congratulations to Mark Stapleton and the G2 and Lawrence M. Clarke team members who contributed to this award-winning project!

For more information on the U-M Health Helipad project, check out the 2026 Winter MITA Cross-Section project profile on page 30.