PITTSBURGH – PennDOT was named winner of two America’s Transportation Awards for on time/on budget projects at a ceremony Monday aimed at showcasing the importance of transportation to the American economy.
The awards were announced at the meeting of the Northeast Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Additional awards for other regions are planned over the next several months at other regional and national meetings.
PennDOT was recognized for the $110 million Lewistown Narrows improvement in Mifflin and Juniata counties and the $26 million DuBois Regional Airport connector in Jefferson County.
“This national recognition helps tell the story that PennDOT is making a huge difference for the people of Pennsylvania with well managed transportation improvements,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. “At a time when resources are scarce and being squeezed even more by steeply rising construction costs, it is crucial that we plan and execute improvements with great care and efficiency.”
America’s Transportation Awards are sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the American Automobile Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The Lewistown Narrows project converted a nearly seven-mile stretch of two lane U.S. 22 and 322 into a four-lane expressway to finish one missing link on a route connecting State College and the Harrisburg region. The project involved a variety of innovative techniques and was opened in December 2007, a year ahead of schedule. The principal contractor was Walsh Construction.
The five-mile long Route 830 Dubois Regional Airport connector replaced a long and circuitous route between the airport and Interstate 80 and included a new interchange with the interstate. Opened in July 2007, the project involved a high degree of cooperation among PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Jefferson County, the county Conservation District, the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission and the general contractors, Glen O. Hawbaker Inc. of State College and Francis J. Palo Inc. of Clarion.