Aberdeen Earns Public Works Project of the Year Award

Fry Creek Pump Station team honored by Washington Chapter of the American Public Works Association

By Jerry Knaak The Daily World • May 8, 2025 1:30 am
Kyle Fisher / City of Aberdeen The Fry Creek Pump Station in Aberdeen earned Public Works Project of the Year honors.
Kyle Fisher / City of Aberdeen The Fry Creek Pump Station in Aberdeen earned Public Works Project of the Year honors.

The American Public Works Association (APWA) Washington Chapter recently named the city of Aberdeen as one of only nine 2025 Public Works Project of the Year Award winners in the state of Washington for the Fry Creek Pump Station which broke ground in July 2022 and opened in August 2024.

Completion of the Fry Creek Pump Station provided immediate benefit to the residents and businesses upstream of the facility by dramatically increasing flood protection by replacing the deteriorated tide gates with a new fish passage structure and increasing pumping capacity.

“We are incredibly proud and honored to receive this award,” said Aberdeen City Engineer Nick Bird. “Beyond the tremendous benefits this facility brings to the community, it was also a privilege to work with one of the most efficient and dedicated project teams I’ve encountered. We look forward to this facility delivering lasting flood protection for many years to come.”

The project cost approximately $22 million and was paid for with $12.3 million from the Office of Chehalis Basin, $9 million from the Washington State Capital Budget, $500,000 from the city of Aberdeen and $300,000 from Grays Harbor County.

According to an APWA press release, winning infrastructure projects are publicly owned and promote excellence in construction, management and administration. Each of these projects represents the best of what public works can achieve — sustainable solutions, resilient infrastructure, and meaningful improvements in the daily lives of Washington residents.

“These awards honor the incredible teamwork between agencies, consultants, and contractors, and spotlight the creativity and dedication it takes to build stronger, more connected communities,” said Kristina Nelson, APWA Washington Chapter Award Committee Chair, via press release.

The city of Aberdeen, HDR, Inc., and Quigg Bros., Inc. collectively earned APWA’s 2025 Public Works Project of the Year Award in the Environmental category in the $5 million to $25 million division.

Members of the project team accepted their award on April 24 at the Greater Tacoma Center in Tacoma.