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ARTBA Foundation Salutes 2008
Washington, D.C. [May 20, 2008]—Transportation design and construction firms and public agencies from across the country were recognized for “excellence in community relations and public education” during the American Road & Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation (ARTBA-TDF) 2008 PRIDE Awards ceremony, held May 20 in the Nation's Capital during the association's Federal Issues Program. Established by the ARTBA Board of Directors in October 1999, the PRIDE Awards honor outstanding programs that enhance the image of the transportation construction industry. An independent panel of public relations professionals and journalists reviewed nominations and selected winners. Awards were presented in the following categories: • Community Relations: Honors programs and activities which demonstrate positive involvement with the community in which a public agency, firm or association is located. • Public-Media Relations/Education : Recognizes programs and activities that educate the public and opinion leaders about the significant contributions the transportation design and construction industry (or its sectors) make to the economy and /or quality of life. Community Relations Public Sector First Place : Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) “Reconnecting the Gulf Coast : U.S. 90 Bridges Community Outreach” The 2007 openings of Mississippi's Bay of St. Louis Bridge and Biloxi Bay Bridge, which replaced structures destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, presented unique opportunities for meaningful community outreach. Through a six-month-long planning process, MDOT met with hundreds of local elected officials, chambers of commerce, community organizations and residents to get their ideas for the re-openings. Creative tactics included “ribbon-tyings”—rather than ribbon cuttings—to symbolically reconnect the Gulf Coast , motorcade processions along the spans, and a partnership with Gulf Coast Industries, an entity employing disabled adults that made commemorative medallion keepsakes. The MDOT program helped successfully build trust and reunited communities in ways that transcended infrastructure. Second Place : Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT), FIGG, Flatiron-Manson Joint Venture, Himle Horner, Inc. “Interstate 35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge Outreach Program” The August 1, 2007, I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Minn., brought national attention to a key Mississippi River crossing in the state's largest metropolitan area. The community relations program focused on PRIDE AWARDS a transparent sharing of information for residents to gain an understanding of the project's safety, sustainability, and design and construction schedule. The project team successfully reached hundreds of thousands of the state's residents through a variety of multi-media platforms, including a project website and webcams, weekly e-mail updates, a “community design charette,” an innovative “sidewalk superintendent tour” program, interactive kiosks, community speakers bureau, project hotline and an ongoing open house series. The approach helped create a community relations model for future projects in Minnesota . Private Sector First Place : Tilcon Connecticut Inc. “Warm that Child” Campaign Participating in “USA Weekend Magazine's” national “Make a Difference Day,” employees from Tilcon Connecticut Inc., purchased, collected and distributed hats and mittens to more than 1,000 needy students in the community surrounding their New Britain, Conn., headquarters. Tilcon team members researched and identified a prominent community organization—Human Resources Agency (HRA)—that could best use collected items and worked to promote the “Warm that Child” program to employees. HRA and Tilcon employees worked together for an October 2007 event that invited students and their families to a New Britain school cafeteria, where the children selected their hats and mittens and also enjoyed a movie and snacks. The program was just one example of Tilcon's commitment to giving something back to the local community. Second Place : The EADS Group, Inc., Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, District 2-0 “ Lewistown Narrows Project” The Lewistown Narrows highway is a vital link in the corridor between Harrisburg and State College , Pa. Dubbed one of the five most “dangerous highways” in the country by “Reader's Digest,” it carries some 20,000 vehicles daily, including commuters, vacationers, truckers and Penn State University football game attendees during the fall season. The improvement project was launched to modernize the roadway and improve safety. To reach motorists using the corridor, project team members conducted regular football season media briefings and hosted community organization meetings. The discovery of 400-million year-old fossils during the construction generated media coverage and offered additional opportunities to educate the public about the project. The new roadway expanded public mobility, access to recreation and showcased successful techniques for engaging the community. Public-Media Relations/Education Public Sector First Place : Center for Environmental Excellence by American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and Federal Highway Administration “Above and Beyond: The Environmental and Social Contributions of America 's Highway Programs” The Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO published “Above and Beyond: The Environmental and Social Contributions of America's Highway Programs” in January 2008. It uses an effective “Did You Know?” format to provide statistics, photos and specific examples of the many ways highway programs nationwide are enhancing the environment and communities, while also providing mobility. Topics in the 84-page report addressed air and water quality, ecosystems and wildlife, historic preservation and community enhancements. It was released to more than 2,000 members of the media, public policy, academic and environmental community and was subsequently downloaded by more than 14,000 users, resulting in favorable news coverage for the transportation design and construction industry and government officials. PRIDE AWARDS Second Place : Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) “Mississippi Summer Transportation Institute” Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) partnered with the Federal Highway Administration, Ergon, Intergraph Corporation and ARTBA state chapter affiliate the Mississippi Road Builders Association to expose high school students to real-world applications of science, math, engineering and technology in the transportation industry. The state transportation agency has been involved with the Mississippi Summer Transportation Institute (MSTI) since 1995. The three week program featured a rigorous technical curriculum, hands-on learning in a fun and competitive environment and field trips aimed at introducing 19-diverse participants to a wide range of potential transportation careers. It also helped enhance leadership skills and reinforced teamwork. Formal survey and program assessments have confirmed that MSTI encouraged students to take more math and science courses, and pursue careers in civil engineering and related fields. Private Sector First Place : G.A. & F.C. Wagman, Inc. “Educating Legislators: A Grassroots Model for Change” Through the company's “Grassroots Committee,” York, Pa.-based G.A. & F.C. Wagman communicates transportation updates to employees and together, they educate legislators about the positive impacts of federal and state transportation investment on the American economy and quality of life. Wagman provides numerous resources and opportunities for employees to get to know their legislators while stressing the importance of political activism regardless of party affiliation. Committee members have established an ongoing “legislative luncheon” and “meet and greet” program to provide opportunities for employee interaction with elected officials. The Wagman team of employees is poised to support grassroots advocacy efforts resulting in better information sharing between industry and government. To date, more than 90 percent of office employees have registered to vote and their involvement has helped to improve relations with elected officials. Wagman also works with local and state organizations, the news media and peer groups to provide consistent messages to legislators on transportation issues. Second Place : Sundt Construction, Inc., Kimley-Horn & Associates, Pinal County, and Kaneen Advertising & Public Relations “Ironwood-Gantzel Roadway Improvement Project” With a daily traffic volume of more than 30,000 vehicles traveling the 15-mile Ironwood Road near Phoenix , Ariz. , the Sundt Construction-led project team took extra steps to establish a successful communications program that afforded all motorists with access to information on the frequent changes occurring as construction progressed. It included hosting a series of open houses and traffic system management meetings, launching a 24-hour project hotline, distributing e-mail “construction alerts” and weekly updates to 14,000 subscribers, producing and mailing 60,000 newsletters, and initiating regular contact with the news media. Educational materials were also sent to select students in creative embroidered duffel bags they could learn more about the project. The ARTBA-TDF was established in 1985 as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt entity to promote research, education and public awareness. It supports an array of initiatives, including educational scholarships, awards, roadway work zone safety and training programs, special economic reports and a national exhibition on transportation. ###
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