Ten states share the national spotlight today, as AAA, the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announce the top 10 finalists in the 2009 America's Transportation Awards competition.
A panel of judges evaluated 50 highway projects from 33 states in three categories: "On Time," "On Budget" and "Innovative Management." Twenty-two winning projects were selected during four regional competitions. The top 10 projects scored the highest number of overall points during the judging.
Now the competition beings anew: America's Transportation Awards' Grand Prize will be determined by independent judging and will be presented at the AASHTO Annual Meeting on Oct. 25, in Palm Desert, Calif. The top 10 projects also will compete for the People's Choice Award, which will bedecided by popular vote. On-line voting is now under way at the competition's official website through Oct. 23, 2009: www.americastransportationaward.org.
"These projects show that states are being accountable for every dollar they receive from the taxpayers. They are using the smartest technology in their projects and they are investing in their communities by reducing congestion, protecting the environment and enhancing safety. In these tough economic times, the value of rapid and efficient highway construction gets magnified even more," said John Horsley, AASHTO executive director.
The Top 10 Nominated Projects by category are:
On Time: Accelerated Delivery
Dial An Engineer: Maryland Department of Transportation, MD 32 at Burntwoods Road Project.
Teamwork, professionalism, promptness and accuracy were the hallmarks for managing the Maryland State Highway Administration's (SHA) interchange project at MD 32 and Burntwoods Road, which serves an average of 30,000 vehicles a day.
Corridor Updated in Half the Time: Delaware Department of Transportation, I-95 Mainline Widening Project.
This 4-mile interstate widening project, which added a fifth lane in each direction, was a challenge due to the nearly 230,000 vehicles that use the eight-lane section each day.
Smart Bridge Technology: The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT), I-35W Minneapolis Bridge Replacement Project.
The tragic collapse of the I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis occurred on Aug. 1, 2007. The 40,000 vehicles that once crossed the bridge each day were forced to make several detours which caused lengthy delays. Realizing the urgent need to replace the bridge, MNDOT moved quickly to execute a contract that called for completion of the new bridge in 14 1/2 months. The new $234 million I-35W Bridge includes 10 lanes for traffic, reconstructed interchange ramps, and room to accommodate a future light-rail line.
Preserving History: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOT), Front Street Natchitoches Restoration Project.
The Front Street restoration project rehabilitated six city blocks of historic brick-surfaced streets in Natchitoches, the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase.
Trimming 30 Minutes from Commute: North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), Clayton Bypass Project.
The Clayton Bypass is a new 10.7-mile, four-lane divided freeway from I-40 to U.S. 70 in Johnston and Wake counties.
On Budget: Enhancing Value
Improving International Connections: New York State Department of Transportation, I-86 Interchange Project.
Nestled in the Three Rivers Valley near Corning, N.Y., this project was viewed from a national and international perspective as part of the trade corridor that connects Toronto and Detroit to the eastern seaboard.
Website Eases 3.8 Million Detours: California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Fix I-5 Sacramento Project.
The Fix I-5 Project, initiated by Caltrans, repaired drainage systems and replaced pavement for the "Boat Section," a three-quarter-mile stretch of I-5 in downtown Sacramento that carries more than 190,000 vehicles each day.
Two States Trim Time and Costs on New Bridge: Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR), Yankton Bridge Project.
The Yankton Bridge Project replaced a bridge that had spanned the Missouri River between Nebraska and South Dakota for 84 years.
Innovative Management
Safety First: The Michigan Department of Transportation (MIDOT), M-115 Clare County Improvement Project.
Using a $1 million grant from the FHWA's "Highways for Life" safety program, MIDOT upgraded a rural 5.5-mile, two-lane section of Michigan 115 from Lake Station Avenue to the Osceola/Clare County line.
Technology Aids Urban Decongestion: Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), 95 Express Miami Project.
The 95 Express Miami Project was designed to relieve the major traffic congestion problem plaguing the Miami-Dade and Broward County area by converting High Occupancy Vehicle, or HOV, Lanes into High Occupancy Toll, or HOT, lanes and increasing occupancy requirements from 2+ to 3+ people.
For more information about these projects, visit the AASHTO website: www.transportation.org
