Two New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) projects were recently named regional winners of the 2015 America’s Transportation Awards.
The NJDOT project for Route 46 over the Musconetcong River was awarded for the Best Use of Innovation for replacing a 90-year-old bridge using a new method involving pre-fabricated pieces.
The NJDOT US 322 Bridge/Mullica Hill Pond Dam project was honored in the Quality of Life/Community Development category. The project included replacing a bridge and dam that were damaged by Hurricane Irene.
The annual America’s Transportation Awards were co-sponsored by AAA, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of the competition is to recognize the best transportation projects within America’s four regional contests. States are able to enter their projects under three categories: Best Use of Innovation, Under Budget, and Quality of Life/Community Development. The winners are those with the highest overall scores. As a reward, the winners are placed into a competition for the People’s Choice Award, the National Grand Prize, and $10,000 to be donated to a scholarship program or a transportation-related program.
"These awards recognize the many ways state DOTs are successfully completing projects to enhance Americans' quality of life and provide for a vibrant economy," John Cox, AASHTO president and director of the Wyoming Department of Transportation, said.