AASHTO Journal, 18 January 2013
Minnesota Department of Transportation and Maryland Department of Transportation were both recognized Tuesday by the International Road Federation for innovation and excellence in the road industry.
Both DOTs received a 2012 Global Road Achievement Award from IRF. The award competition seeks to honor excellence, innovation, and major achievements in roadway systems from around the world. Projects are recognized in specific categories such as: Construction Methodology; Design; Environmental Mitigation; Program Management; Maintenance Management; Traffic Management and ITS; Excellence in Project Finance & Economics; Quality Management; Road Safety; and Technology, Equipment & Manufacturing.
MnDOT took home top honors in the Excellence in Project Finance & Economics category for its “Better Roads for a Better Minnesota” infrastructure improvement plan, which seeks to improve state highway pavement conditions on more than 700 miles of road, improve transit options, increase safety, and provide jobs for Minnesota citizens.
Maryland DOT’s Intercounty Connector won the top spot in the Quality Management category. The 19-mile-long multi-modal highway connects the I-270 and I-95 corridors north of Washington, D.C. and was built along with a variety of environmental mitigation and stewardship projects in communities along the highway.
“For the past 12 years, our awards program has constituted an industry reference for innovators across the globe,” said IRF President and CEO Patrick Sankey in a statement. “In these times of persisting economic uncertainty, our sector has once more demonstrated that it is a source of cutting edge solutions that makes a difference in our communities.”
A full list of the 2012 Global Road Achievement Awards is available at bit.ly/2012GRAA.