Best Use of Innovation winner — Iowa Department of Transportation’s eConstructionThe Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio transportation departments were presented with America’s Transportation Awards during the Mid America Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (MAASTO) annual meeting Aug. 11.
Awards were given to seven projects spread across three categories: Best Use of Innovation, Under Budget and Quality of Life/Community Development.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce co-sponsor the America’s Transportation Awards. Four regional competitions are held and the 10 winners with the highest overall scores are selected as finalists for the National Grand Prize, People’s Choice Award and $10,000 in prizes. Two national winners will be recognized at AASHTO’s annual meeting Sept. 24-28 in Chicago.
K-TRIPSBest Use of Innovation
- Iowa Department of Transportation — eConstruction: small size designation. “The project saved time and taxpayer money by managing construction documents in the field electronically. Instead of requiring paperwork for each project, the new system allows for a streamlined, organized, and efficient form of document management.”
- Michigan Department of Transportation — 96Fix project: medium project designation, $153 million. “The project rebuilt and enhanced seven miles of freeway, 37 bridges, and improved safety conditions with a new LED freeway lighting system. 140,000 motorists use the highway daily. “
- Ohio Department of Transportation — Interstate 71/670 Columbus Crossroads: large size designation, $200 million. “The project relieved congestion, added capacity, and increased safety conditions for the nearly 150,000 motorists that utilize the highway each day.”
Under Budget
- Kansas Department of Transportation — K-TRIPS: small project designation, $1.29 million. “The program reduced paperwork and wait times for truck routing and permitting. Truckers can apply and pay for most over-dimensional permits within 10 minutes instead of hours. The project, originally budgeted for $3 million was complete more than 50% under budget.”
- Ohio Department of Transportation — I-71 Widening, The Golden Spike: medium project designation, $149 million. “The project relieved congestion on I-71 in Central Ohio by reconstructing the highway while expanding one lane in each direction. The project was completed more than $10 million under budget and an estimated three years early—reducing construction costs and inconvenience to motorists.”
Wooster Pike Revitalization ProjectQuality of Life/Community Development
- Ohio Department of Transportation — Wooster Pike Revitalization Project: small project designation, $3.7 million. “The project improved pedestrian access and safety conditions throughout the Wooster Pike Business District. The multi-modal project includes pedestrian, vehicular and transit traffic in its design. The project is also stimulating regional economic development.”
- Missouri Department of Transportation — Route 364/Page Phase 3 project: medium project designation, $118.2 million. “The project in St. Louis and St. Charles Counties relieved congestion along I-70 and I-64 by creating an alternate route between the two congested highways. Commutes were reduced by as much as 15 minutes for local residents; the project also increased the number of people living within a 45-minute commute to 75 percent of the area’s jobs.”
