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Transportation's Top 10 Projects for 200909-22-09 | News

Transportation's Top 10 Projects for 2009

Dial an Engineer: Maryland DOT, MD 32 at Burntwoods Rd. Mahan Rykiel Associates (MRA), a landscape architectural, planning and urban design firm based in Hampden, Md., was part of this design team. This is the second year in a row MRA has been part of a team design project that has won an America's Transportation Award.

Corridor Updated in Half the Time: Delaware DOT, I-95 Mainline Widening

Smart Bridge Technology: Minnesota DOT, I-35W Minneapolis Bridge Replacement

Preserving History: Louisiana DOT and Development, Front Street Natchitoches Restoration

Trimming 30 Minutes from Commute: North Carolina DOT, Clayton Bypass

Improving International Connections: New York State DOT, I-86 Interchange

Website Eases 3.8 Million Detours: California DOT, Fix I-5 Sacramento

Two States Trim Time and Costs on New Bridge: Nebraska Department of Roads, Yankton Bridge

Safety First: Michigan DOT, M-115 Clare County Improvement

Technology Aids Urban Decongestion: Florida DOT, 95 Express Miami

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced Sept. 10, 2009 the 10 transportation projects from across the country selected as finalists in the 2009 America's Transportation Awards competition. A panel of judges evaluated 50 projects from 33 states in three categories: "On Time," "On Budget" and "Innovative Management." Now, these 10 winners compete for the Grand Prize, determined by independent judging and presented at the AASHTO annual meeting, October 25, in Palm Desert, Calif. The top 10 projects are also competing for the People's Choice Award, which will be decided by popular vote. Online voting is now underway through Oct. 23, 2009 at www.americastransportationaward.org/Voting.aspx

The award panelists noted that "teamwork, professionalism, promptness, and accuracy were the hallmarks" for managing the Maryland State Highway Administration's interchange project at MD 32 and Burntwoods Rd. Safety concerns of high speeds and heavy traffic prompted the $18.5 million interchange project. The design team was credited with using "creative ways to keep the public informed and traffic moving safely through the work zone."

Photo: americastransportationaward.org Rendering: Mahan Rykiel Associates

"States are being accountable for every dollar they receive from the taxpayers," notes John Horsley, AASHTO executive director. "They are using the smartest technology (to) reduce congestion, protect the environment and enhance safety."