AMERICA’S TOP “QUALITY” ROADWAY PROJECTS

Federal/State Officials and Industry Leaders Announce 2001 Winners

Austin, TX/December 10, 2001 – Roadway projects in 11 states – Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Texas – have earned top honors from a partnership of federal and state highway officials and leaders in the road construction industry. Called the National Partnership for Highway Quality (NPHQ), the group recognizes projects large and small that deliver the highest quality results for the highway customer.

“Across America, officials and the private sector are joining forces to deliver highway projects on budget, free of common obstacles, with lasting performance – even ahead of schedule.” said Ted Aadland, NPHQ Co-Chairman, speaking at the group’s November 29 annual meeting.

Pete Rahn, fellow NPHQ Co-Chairman added, “Project teams are sitting down with local community and business leaders to figure out how to minimize the negative effects of a construction project and maximize the community-building quality of the results. Roadway professionals are putting their heads together, project by project, to identify the best techniques, technology, and innovations for the job. All stakeholders are at the table and the result is a remarkable increase in roadway quality.”

The 2001 Award winners include:

• National Achievement Award Winner: Pennsylvania – “22/Renew” Project -- Reconstruct US Route 22 Expressway through Lehigh Valley, including Allentown and Bethlehem.
• Special Recognition of a Small Project Winner: Maryland – US 113 in Worcester County, 3 mile/Phase 1 “dualization” to address high number of fatalities.
• Special Recognition of a Structure Project Winner: North Carolina – Neuse River Bridge/Construction of interchange (US 70, US 17, NC 55) and new 10,000 ft. bridge over Neuse River between New Bern and Bridgeton.∑ Gold Winner: Arizona – 7-mile reconstruction and widening of I-17 Freeway (“Black Canyon Freeway”) in Metropolitan Phoenix.
• Gold Winner: Indiana – Reconstruction of I-65 from US 30 to 52nd Avenue, Lake County, IN
• Gold Winner: Iowa – US 71 highway improvement in Iowa Great Lakes area/Dickinson County
• Gold Winner: Kansas – 7.5 mile reconstruction of I-35 in Southern Harvey County
• Gold Winner: Kentucky – Jefferson County I-65 I-264 (Watterson
  Expressway) to I-64 (Kennedy Bridge over Ohio River)
• Gold Winner: Michigan – US 131 S-Curve Reconstruction, Grand Rapids Michigan
• Gold Winner: Oregon – Oregon State Hwy. 99, downtown Grants Pass between Interstate 5 and the Rogue River
• Gold Winner: Texas – US 77/US 83 (Interstate 69) Expressway Extension and Veterans International Bridge Construction at Los Tomates, Brownsville, TX.
  

NPHQ’s award nomination process permits one entry from each of the fifty states. In 2001, 26 states submitted projects for consideration. Each is judged on a comprehensive set of criteria, including: the overall quality of the finished project; the partnership exhibited between state departments of transportation and private contractors; technical and materials innovations; the effectiveness and creativity of public involvement; whether and how projects met or exceeded expected deadlines, costs, and deliverables; responsiveness to environmental needs and opportunities, and adherence to principles of quality management, among other factors.

Award-winning projects for 2001 displayed a wide range of outstanding practices, from innovations in materials delivery to streamlined project management to community-building teamwork that removed longstanding (even decades-old) obstacles to completion. One of the more colorful displays of public involvement encouraged area residents into downtown business districts affected by construction with block parties that included the chance to take aim at the prime construction contractor in a dunking booth.

“The net effect of these efforts is a spirit of innovation and cooperation unlike any we’ve ever seen,” noted Aadland. “The goal is an ever-expanding set of model projects that stimulate a vigorous future for the American road – and the American roadway customer.”

The National Partnership for Highway Quality is the only nationally formed organization that combines public and private highway expertise to keep the nation’s highway system in the highest quality condition and to improve its safety and service to the public. NPHQ partners include: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), American Concrete Pavement Association, American Council of Engineering Companies, American Public Works Association, American Road and Transportation Builders Association, American Traffic Safety Services Association, Associated General Contractors of America, Asphalt Institute, Federal Highway Administration, National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, National Asphalt Pavement Association, and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. For more information about NPHQ, go to www.nphq.org.

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