Competition seeks best transportation projects of 2009.
Press Release Summary:
Applications are being accepted for 2010 America's Transportation Awards in categories of On Time, Under Budget, Innovative Management, and Best Recovery Act Project. Sponsored by AASHTO, AAA, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce, awards are selected by panel of independent judges at regional level and then Top Ten vie for Grand Prize and People's Choice Award. Both carry $10,000 prize that can be used for education grant in transportation field or to support community project or charity.
Original Press Release:
AASHTO/AAA/U.S. Chamber Competition Seeks the Best Transportation Projects of 2009
Washington, D.C. - What's the best transportation achievement completed by a state Department of Transportation in 2009? That's the question to be answered by the nominations for the 2010 America's Transportation Awards. Beginning today, applications are being accepted for top honors in four categories: "On Time," "Under Budget," "Innovative Management," and "Best Recovery Act Project."
"Last year's winners - at the regional and national level - really showed enormous ingenuity and tremendous capability," said John Horsley, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) executive director. "From projects that speed travelers through High Occupancy Toll lanes, to improving safety on rural highways, improving the environment, and bolstering the economy, these projects showed America the job-creating power of the transportation industry and its critical role in improving livability."
Sponsored by the AASHTO, AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the awards are selected by a panel of independent judges at the regional level and then the Top Ten vie for two awards: the Grand Prize and the People's Choice Award. Both awards carry a $10,000 prize that can be used by the winning state for an education grant in the transportation field or to support a community project or charity.
Last year, 33 states entered 50 projects for consideration. The Minnesota Department of Transportation, which won the 2009 Grand Prize for replacing the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, gave its $10,000 award to Survivors Resources, a private, non-profit organization that provides immediate and long-term emotional support and practical help for the families and friends of those who have died by homicide, suicide, or accident. The organization has expanded its mission to help many people who were involved in the I-35W bridge collapse in August 2007. The Florida DOT, which won the 2009 People's Choice Award for the 95 Express Miami Project, has given its $10,000 check to the University of Florida, College of Engineering for student scholarships.
Deadline for entries is Monday, May 10, 2010. For details, the application, a prize-winning submission from 2009, and complete information, go to www.americastransportationaward.org.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is the "Voice of Transportation" representing State Departments of Transportation in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association serving as a catalyst for excellence in transportation.
