WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today revealed the 2015 Environmental Excellence Award recipients. Selected by an independent panel, the 15 awards are the agency’s biennial recognition of innovative efforts to preserve the environment while enhancing America’s highways.
“Building a 21st century transportation system that is cost-efficient and protects the environment requires creativity and innovation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “These awards demonstrate FHWA’s support of projects that approach current and future transportation challenges with new solutions.”
The winning projects used a wide range of innovative methods and approaches to promote environmental sensitivity and sustainability without sacrificing mobility. FHWA will recognize the award recipients at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Conference on 21st Century Mobility and Passenger Transportation to be held this July in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The projects span a wide range of professional disciplines, from historic preservation and water quality improvements to wetlands and habitat restoration.
For example, California’s Philip S. Raine Safety Roadside Rest Area project helps to preserve the environment by saving an estimated 52.3 percent in energy use and over 10 million gallons in annual water savings compared to conventional methods.
“Finding a better balance between the environment and America’s roadways is a key to creating jobs, scaling back our dependence on oil and reducing pollution,” said Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau.
“Through innovation technologies and other means, this year’s award recipients are shortening project delivery, reducing cost to taxpayers, and helping us make every day count.”
This year’s winning entries include:
Animal Road Crossing (ARC) Solutions
Excellence in Environmental Leadership
Awardees: ARC Solutions, Arizona Department of Transportation
Improvements in Historic Preservation
Excellence in Programmatic Agreements
Awardee: California Department of Transportation
Philip S. Raine Safety Roadside Rest Area
Excellence in Roadside Resource Management and Maintenance
Awardee: California Department of Transportation
Green Infrastructure Standards
Excellence in Wetlands, Watersheds, and Water Quality
Awardee: District of Columbia Department of Transportation
Project Development and Environment Services for US 41, 10th Street to 14th Street in Sarasota, Florida
Excellence in Cultural and Historical Resources
Awardees: H.W. Lochner, Inc.; Florida Department of Transportation
Longleaf Pine and Gopher Tortoise Habitat Restoration Project
Excellence in Ecosystems, Habitat, and Wildlife
Awardee: Georgia Department of Transportation
PB-85 Stream, Floodplain, and Wetland Restoration
Excellence in Wetlands, Watersheds, and Water Quality
Awardee: Maryland State Highway Administration
Montana Highway 78
Excellence in Educational and Training Programs
Awardee: Montana Department of Transportation
Right of Way Carbon Sequestration Research Project
Excellence in Environmental Research
Awardee: New Mexico Department of Transportation
Syracuse Connective Corridor, Phase 1
Excellence in Collaboration and Partnership
Awardees: Barton and Loguidice, D.P.C.; CH2M HILL; New York State Department of Transportation
Strategic Assessment of Land Use and Transportation Plans for the Corvallis Area
Excellence in Air Quality Improvement and Climate Change
Awardee: Oregon Department of Transportation
Potters Mills Gap Transportation Project
Excellence in Environmental Streamlining
Awardees: McCormick Taylor; Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, Texas
Excellence in Context Sensitive Solutions
Awardee: Texas Department of Transportation
River Science Climate Resilience Strategy
Excellence in Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
Awardee: Vermont Agency of Transportation
Humpback Bridge Replacement and Joyce Street Improvements
Excellence in Nonmotorized and Multimodal Transportation
Awardees: FHWA Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division; Virginia Department of Transportation
Additional information about the 2015 Environmental Excellence Award recipients can be found at www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/environmental_excellence_awards/eea_2015/. FHWA 29-15
