New Jersey DOT’s Route 3 over the Passaic River projectThe Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials (NASTO) recognized seven state departments of transportation (DOTs) as the first regional winners for the America’s Transportation Awards.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the AAA motor club and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sponsor the program, which honors the best transportation projects in the categories of Quality of Life/Community Development, Best Use of Innovation and Under Budget. The program is in its ninth year.
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“America’s Transportation Awards showcase the outstanding transportation projects that improve travel and quality of life in the United States,” said Paul Trombino, AASHTO’s president and director of the Iowa DOT. “Through these awards, we recognize state DOTs for their diligent efforts and highlight how their work helps improve the quality of life and economic prosperity across the country.”
This year, 40 state DOTs participated and submitted 84 award nominations. For the NASTO competition, 10 DOTs entered 21 transportation projects for consideration.
NASTO winners include:
Quality of Life/Community Development
- The New Jersey DOT won in the large project competition ($200 million and up) for its work to replace the deteriorating bridge along Route 3 over the Passaic River, north of Lyndhurst.
- The Massachusetts DOT’s Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge Replacement Project between Shrewsbury and Worcester took top honors in the medium project group ($26 million-$199 million).
- The Maine DOT’s project to expand Portland’s International Marine Terminal won in the small project group, which is for projects costing less than $25 million.
Best Use of Innovation
- The Connecticut DOT won for large project as it replaced its Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven.
- New Hampshire DOT’s rebuilding of I-93 near Windham won for a medium-sized project.
- The New York State DOT won for a small-sized project that replaced bridges and improved the ramp at Exit 4 off Interstate 87 near the Town of Colonie.
Under Budget
- The Maryland DOT won for its safety improvements and resurfacing project on MD 210 from MD 373 to Farmington Road in Accokeek.
The three remaining regions, Western Association of Highway Transportation Officials, Mid America Association of Highway Transportation Officials and Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, will announce their winners this summer at their summer meetings.
The top 10 projects from all regions with the highest overall scores will be entered into the National Grand Prize, and the People’s Choice Award will be selected by the most online public votes. Finalists will be announced at the end of September and the online voting will be available Oct. 1-30. These winners will be announced at the American Association of Highway Transportation Officials annual meeting in November.
