FHWA 29-15 Wednesday, April 22, 2015 Contact: Nicole Jones (202) 366-0660

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today revealed this year’s Environmental Excellence Award recipients. Selected by an independent panel, the 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/.

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