July 16, 2014

Did You Know?

The America’s Transportation Awards competition recognizes the best transportation projects accomplished each year by state departments of transportation. From building new bridges, bike and pedestrian paths and highways, to easing congestion and improving safety and metropolitan mobility through transit, these projects instill an appreciation of transportation as a key element of our quality of life. The 2014 competition has experienced record participation from 37 AASHTO members, nominating a total of 73 projects.

The competition, co-sponsored by AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce along with AASHTO, was launched in 2008 to build support for transportation at the federal, state, and local levels. The winners are first selected in four regions and then the Top 10 vie for two awards: the Grand Prize and the People’s Choice Award. A panel of judges representing various transportation organizations (such as the AAA, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Associated General Contractors of America, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, ITS America, National Association of Counties, and the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association) makes the regional and Grand Prize selections. The awards are submitted in three categories and by project size. The People’s Choice Award is selected by online voting. 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.

This year, AASHTO encouraged projects that enhance communities through “Quality of Life/Community Development,” a new category joins "Best Use of Innovation" and "Under Budget" in 2014. Since the new category was added, AASHTO reports an increase in multi-modal projects that include bike and pedestrian infrastructure, improvements for transit access, and more. So far this year, competition sponsors have handed out regional awards for the northeastern and western associations. The next round of winners will be awarded at the Mid America Association of State Transportation Officials in Indianapolis later this month. For more information on the completion, entries in the 2014 contest, and updates on voting, visit http://americastransportationawards.org/.