The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has revealed the Top 12 finalists for the 2024 America’s Transportation Awards. Finalists, selected from 106 nominations by 39 state DOTs, will now vie for the Grand Prize and the People’s Choice Award, each offering a $10,000 cash award for a charity or transportation-related scholarship of their choice.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has been recognized as a nominee for their work on the California Interstate 10 Santa Monica Freeway Bridge Fire. In November 2023, a major fire erupted in two leased Caltrans spaces directly beneath Interstate 10 near downtown Los Angeles. This stretch of I-10, which handles up to 300,000 vehicles daily, had all lanes reopened within just eight days! This speedy $18 million restoration project was made possible by continuous efforts from on- and off-site work crews and engineers, favorable structural testing outcomes, swift debris removal, and seamless coordination among state, local, and federal authorities. Avoiding a long-term closure proved crucial, as it could have disrupted the daily commute for up to 300,000 people and dealt a significant blow to the local economy. The potential loss of work hours and decline in customers would have affected various downtown businesses, including retailers, restaurants, hotels, sports venues, convention centers, and entertainment spots.
Online voting has begun and continues through October 29, 2024 at 8:59 pm PT. Individuals can cast no more than one vote per day per project.
The America’s Transportation Awards recognizes the positive impacts of state DOT projects on communities across the nation. Projects are nominated in four categories: Quality of Life/Community Development; Operations Excellence; Best Use of Technology & Innovation; and Safety. These awards emphasize the vital role of transportation in every community and for all travelers.