EBH Engineering received the 2026 ACEC of Kansas Engineering Excellence Awards for The City of Ellinwood Tunnel Sidewalk Improvements project in Ellinwood, in the small projects category. This project addressed a uniquely complex structural and preservation challenge involving a failing downtown sidewalk above a rare underground tunnel system. One of the few such tunnels in the United States that remains accessible to the public, this historic feature draws more than 3,000 visitors annually, making its preservation vital to both community identity and local tourism.

Collaboration with the City of Ellinwood and The Historic Wolf Hotel, was central to the project’s success. The EBH design team worked closely with The City to align technical solutions with operational needs, minimize disruption to business, and preserve the tourism value of the historic site.

In addition to restoring structural stability, the project improved pedestrian and ADA accessibility, supported downtown commerce, and strengthened community appreciation for the critical role engineering plays in preserving historic infrastructure and shaping safe, functional public spaces.

From the technical standpoint, when the sidewalk was deemed unsafe due to subsurface structural failure, EBH Engineering was tasked with delivering a long-term, cost-effective solution that stabilized the site while preserving the integrity of the tunnel below. The project team faced extraordinary conditions, including severely limited site access, a network of overlapping legacy structures — such as original steel beams, a tipping hotel foundation wall, and an ongoing water infiltration. Despite these challenges, EBH developed and implemented an innovative structural solution that integrated new supports with existing infrastructure to restore sidewalk functionality and ensure public safety.