– The M-231 project in Ottawa County has been selected as the winner in the Quality of Life/Community Development – Large category.
– The I-75 Saginaw County project has been selected as the winner in the Under Budget – Medium category.
– The awards were presented today in Minneapolis, with 40 states participating in the competition.
August 12, 2016 — — (RealEstateRama) — The Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) M-231 project in Ottawa County and the I-75 reconstruction project in Saginaw County have each earned a regional award in the 2016 America’s Transportation Awards competition held by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). M-231 was selected as the winner in the Quality of Life/Community Development – Large category, and I-75 is the winner in the Under Budget – Medium category. Both projects are now in the running for two more prizes: the Grand Prize and the People’s Choice Award.
The America’s Transportation Awards competition was created by AASHTO in 2008 with the support of AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to demonstrate that state departments of transportation are delivering value for our transportation dollars. Projects nominated in this competition are making communities stronger, our economy more efficient, and our quality of life better. This year, 40 states participated in the competition, nominating 84 projects in one of three categories: “Under Budget,” “Best Use of Innovation,” and “Quality of Life/Community Development.”
“We’ve been proud of these projects since day one,” said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. “M-231 provided a vital additional crossing over the Grand River in fast-growing Ottawa County, and the I-75 expansion fulfilled a statewide initiative to improve and expand the I-75 corridor. This expansion through Saginaw County is needed to accommodate more than 60,000 daily commuters, especially during summer tourism months. It’s an honor for the department to be recognized by our peers and colleagues on the national level.”
As a regional winner, these projects will now be considered for inclusion in the “Top Ten” projects in the competition, which will be announced in September. These projects will then compete for the Grand Prize and the People’s Choice Award. The Grand Prize winner will be selected by a panel of transportation experts, while the People’s Choice Award will be chosen online by a public vote. Both awards carry a $10,000 cash prize to support a transportation-related scholarship or charitable cause.
Attachments:
- The M-231 bridge over the Grand River joins Crockery and Robinson townships.
© 2016 MDOT Photo Unit - The I-75 reconstruction project included rebuilding three local roads spanning the freeway, including the Hess Road bridge.
© 2016 MDOT Photo Unit - The I-75 reconstruction expanded capacity by one lane in each direction along 3.8 miles of Saginaw County.
© 2016 MDOT Photo Unit
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