10 states share spotlight as Transportation Award finalists
America's Transportation Awards' Grand Prize will be determined by independent judging and entries include the new Minneapolis bridge shown here.
The Trucker News Services
9/8/2009
WASHINGTON — Ten states share the national spotlight as the American Automobile Association (AAA), the American Association of State Highway and 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 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 AASHTO’s annual meeting Oct. 25 in Palm Desert, Calif.
The top 10 projects will also compete for the People's Choice Award, which will decided by popular vote.
On-line voting is now under way at the competition's official Web site through Oct. 23, 2009, at www.americastransportationaward.org.
"These projects show that states are being accountable for every dollar they receive from the taxpayers,” John Horsley, AASHTO executive director, said. “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."
The Top 10 nominated projects by category and commentary on the projects provided by the three sponsoring organizations, 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. Safety concerns because of high speeds and heavy traffic volumes prompted the $18.5 million interchange project. The design team is credited with using creative ways to keep the public informed and traffic moving safely through the work zone. A direct telephone number to the project engineer was also made available to the traveling public so that any questions or concerns could be addressed directly.
Corridor Updated in Half the Time: Delaware Department of Transportation, I-95 Mainline Widening Project. This four-mile interstate widening project, which added a fifth lane in each direction, was a challenge because of the nearly 230,000 vehicles that use the eight-lane section each day. The corridor is considered a lifeline for East Coast goods transport, local commuter travel, and tourism. DelDOT set an aggressive 18-month schedule and spearheaded a public outreach plan that included regular and immediate updates to the general public and other stakeholders groups, including legislators, businesses, hospitals and schools. DelDOT and its contractors were able to widen the corridor without closing any lanes during peak hours, while minimizing impacts to all adjacent wetlands, ensuring safety to the traveling public and workers, and finishing the project in half the time of the advertised schedule.
Smart Bridge Technology: The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT), I-35W Minneapolis Bridge Replacement Project. The tragic collapse of the Interstate 35W Bridge in Minneapolis occurred Aug. 1, 2007. The 40,000 vehicles that once crossed the bridge each day were forced to make several detours that 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 14½ 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. The new bridge also has the world's largest anti-icing system and uses smart bridge technology. Approaches to the bridge were also reconstructed, along with various local streets adjacent to the project, and observation decks under the bridge along the banks of the Mississippi River. The project was completed in September 2008, three months ahead of schedule.
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. The project included removing, cleaning, and then replacing each of the approximately 300,000 roadway bricks once the existing infrastructure had been replaced. In order to keep businesses open along the street, the project was divided into three, two-block-long phases. Discoveries of Native American and 18th- and 19th-century European artifacts as well as a 109-year-old silver dollar from the New Orleans mint were made during the project. Despite facing numerous obstacles, including Hurricane Gustav, the entire Front Street project was completed in the original contract time of 240 calendar days.
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 US-70 in Johnston and Wake counties. The project included building 22 new bridges and four new interchanges with major arteries, demolishing three existing bridges and widening two miles of both eastbound and westbound I-40. Heavy traffic flows and multiple environmental concerns led to the use of numerous innovative techniques, intelligent transportation systems, and materials, including turbidity monitors, temporary work bridges, and the state's first fully automated speed detection system. Speed sensors located throughout the project allowed dynamic message signs to display real-time travel information, including estimated drive times. Motorists can now bypass 11 stoplights, saving between 15 to 30 minutes in travel time. It has also immediately eased workday commutes for 29,500 vehicles. A close working relationship between contractors and NCDOT allowed this major construction project to be co! mpleted one year ahead of schedule. It has improved traffic flow both through and around the town of Clayton, and was designed to preserve important environmental areas in the Neuse River and Tar River Basins.
On Budget: Enhancing Value
Improving International Connections: New York State Department of Transportation, I-86 Interchan