The $100 million Leonard P. Zakim Bridge, viewed as the "crown jewel" of Boston's multi-billion dollar Central Artery/Tunnel project, has already achieved landmark status. The world's widest cable-stayed bridge was selected by the American Council of Engineering Companies to receive the organization's 2003 National Grand Award for Engineering Excellence, and by the American Society of Civil Engineers as the Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement of 2004. RDK was ME/FP engineer on the award-winning design team responsible for this prestigious and innovative project.
 
Among RDK's electrical designs was the electrical power distribution system for all bridge lighting including architectural lighting, pedestrian lighting, channel navigation lighting, and aircraft caution lighting at the top of each of the bridge's towers. These towers, accessible from the bridge deck, contain ladders that allow operational staff to access and tighten cables and as well as change the expired FAA aircraft warning lights at the top. Because solar heating of the reinforced concrete towers can create unworkable conditions within them at times, RDK designed a natural ventilation system to control the internal airflow and temperature. RDK also designed a dry standpipe system with vertical and horizontal piping distribution throughout the bridge to provide comprehensive fire protection for the structure, one of the most critical components of the region's transportation system.