Date:  Thursday, September 01, 2011

Contact: Kathleen Davis, Highways & Local Programs Director, 360-705-7871

OLYMPIA – Local transportation projects achieved excellence in safety enhancements, construction, innovative design, environmental sustainability and community involvement, earning 2011 Awards of Excellence, presented by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

“The winning projects highlight the collaborative partnerships needed to deliver the necessary local improvements,” said Kathleen Davis, WSDOT Highways and Local Programs Director.

WSDOT’s Local Programs division provides educational, technical and financial support to help local agencies achieve their transportation goals.

The 2011 Awards of Excellence projects, part of close to 300 projects completed in 2010, highlight local, community improvements.

Best County Award: Mason County – Tahuya River Bridge #2 on Belfair Road
Contact: Neal Campbell, WSDOT Olympic Region Local Programs Engineer, 360-357-2666
The Tahuya River replacement bridge, 40 feet wide and 110 feet long, is the primary access to northwest Mason County. It replaced a structure destroyed during 2007 flooding. As primary access to NW Mason County, the loss left a 22-mile detour. Partnerships inlcuded Mason County, FHWA, WSDOT, and private contractors. Total project cost $1.9 million, with more than $1.7 million in federal highway funds.

Best City Award: City of Redmond – NE 36th Street Bridge Project
Contact: Ed Conyers, WSDOT Northwest Region Local Programs Engineer, 206-440-4734
An American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) project managed by WSDOT, the NE 36th Street Bridge connects Redmond’s Overlake neighborhood, spanning SR 520 with two adjoining, landscaped lids designed for use by bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers. Since its opening, the bridge has allowed a great many citizens the opportunity to walk, bike, or drive to work and shopping. The new bridge provides much-needed relief to the adjacent SR 520 interchanges, and creates a safer connection. Total project cost: $26 million, with more than $7.1 million of federal highway funds.

Director's Award: City of Grandview – “Alive Downtown” Revitalization Project
Contact: Roger Arms, WSDOT South Central Region Local Programs Engineer, 509-577-1780
Grandview’s “Alive Downtown” Revitalization updated and added new pedestrian amenities including wider sidewalks, street and pedestrian lighting, and landscaping. The area was improved for motorists by repaving and updating the roadway drainage. Total project cost, $2.4 million, with $2.03 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), as well as other state and local funding.

Best Special Award: Lummi Nation – Haxton Way Pedestrian Pathway Project
Contact: Ed Conyers, WSDOT Northwest Region Local Programs Engineer, 206-440-4734
The Haxton Way Pedestrian Pathway project, a two-mile, multi-purpose trail system, consisting of a paved pathway, elevated boardwalk, new pedestrian bridges, intersection improvements, and solar lighting for bicyclists and pedestrians. The project included partnerships between the Lummi Tribe, Whatcom County, FHWA and WSDOT. Total project cost: $1.71 million, with funding from the State Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 511.

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