Asia-Pacific

Ottawa's Chinatown Gateway Arch wins US public works award

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-12 10:55

OTTAWA - The Chinatown Gateway Arch in the Canadian capital was chosen by the American Public Works Association (APWA) as its Public Works Project of the Year for 2011, Mayor Jim Watson said Wednesday.

Watson, who received a formal notification from the APWA earlier in the day, said the award recognizes a unique partnership between the cities of Ottawa and Beijing, and the Canadian government to build the beautiful arch, which was inaugurated in October 2010 to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and China.

The award would be presented in September in Denver, the US state of Colorado.

"The City of Ottawa received funding for the project from the Federal and Provincial governments to help make this project a reality," said the mayor.

"And the City of Beijing provided the Architectural Design. Their contribution also included 26 technicians and artisans who arrived in Canada during the six-month construction period to assemble and paint the archway."

According to the mayor, apart from the architectural design, the city of Beijing also provided all nonstructural finishing and decorative material installations, including two gateway lions.

Founded in 1937 and one of the largest organization of its kind, the APWA is a nonprofit, professional association of public works agencies, private companies, and individuals dedicated to promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge.