ARTBA Foundation Recognizes Transportation Construction Industry Environmental Excellence

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Jeff Solsby 202-289-4434		Print this page

Washington, D.C. [May 20, 2008]—Highway and bridge improvement projects across the country were recognized May 20 for their contributions to environmental protection and mitigation during the American Road & Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation's (ARTBA-TDF) ninth annual “Globe Awards” event, held in Washington, D.C., as part of the association's Federal Issues Program.

Established by the ARTBA Board of Directors in 1998, the “Globe Awards” recognize:

•  private-sector firms and public-sector transportation agencies that do an outstanding job in protecting and/or enhancing the natural environment in the planning, design and construction of U.S. transportation infrastructure projects; and

•  transportation construction-related product manufacturers and material suppliers that utilize exemplary environmental processes to protect and enhance the natural environment.

An independent panel of federal agency environmental specialists reviewed all of the nominations and selected the winners. The 2008 “Globe Award” winners are:

“Highway” Category

First Place: South Bay Expressway and California Department of Transportation

“South Bay Expressway” Project

The South Bay Expressway is a new 10-mile toll road connecting San Diego, Calif.-area highways with a heavily-trafficked border crossing. Project managers spent more than $32 million investing in habitat restoration, protecting endangered species, environmental compliance training for all employees and creation of 1,500 acres of permanent open space. The project also utilized environmentally conscious segmental construction techniques that allowed a bridge to be built without disturbing a sensitive river valley floor.

Second Place: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department and Gilbert Central Corp.

“Valley Springs—Buffalo River” Project

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department constructed nearly three miles of passing lanes on U.S. highway 65 through Buffalo National River parkland in near Harrison , Ark. The project included a specific emphasis on protecting landscape features, using native and regionally-appropriate rock and stone materials and providing extensive storm water runoff control sites. The department also used native tree species for landscaping that integrated with existing forestlands. The project was a good example of blending highway construction with environmental reservation programs.

Honorable mention was awarded to the Illinois Tollway for its conservation program to protect the Blanding's Turtle species during construction of the 12.5-mile extension of the Veterans Memorial Tollway near Chicago .

“Extraction/Production Process” Category

First Place: Ferreira Group, Ferreira Construction, Noveda Technologies

“31 Tannery Project”—First Net Zero Electric Commercial Building in U.S.

Ferreira Construction built a new Branchburg, N.J., corporate headquarters that is the first “net zero” electric-powered commercial building in the nation. Named for its physical address, 31 Tannery was designed using simple pre-fabricated, readily-available materials combined with the latest in monitoring and climate control technologies , including extensive solar power and solar thermal systems. The building's innovative design and efficient systems ensure the building will completely pay for itself in energy savings within five to seven years. This project set new standards for the industry and has provided the company with cost savings and real environmental benefits.

“Manufacturing Process” Category

First Place: 3M

“Reflective Prismatic Sheeting”

3M's Brownwood , Texas , facility developed a new manufacturing process for retroreflective sheeting that significantly reduced waste and energy consumption while also producing a higher performing product. 3M's reflective prismatic sheeting is produced with a 97 percent reduction in volatile organic compound (VOC) solvent waste, an 80 percent reduction in paper liner waste and a 77 percent reduction in natural gas consumption compared to older versions. These improvements have significantly reduced the plant's environmental footprint and are an example of cutting-edge technology developed in a responsible fashion.

“Bridge” Category

First Place: Maryland State Highway Administration, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Potomac Crossing Consultants, Potomac Constructors, LLC, American Bridge/Edward Kraemer & Sons, Joint Venture

“ Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project – Fish Reef Creation Program”

Between August 2006 and March 2008, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project environmental team facilitated an innovative program that used old bridge pieces to create new fish and marine life habitat. In collaboration with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and other partners, the program has created or enhanced thriving fish reefs by placing of 60,000 tons of the concrete and steel of the old bridge in the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay.

Second Place: (Tie) PB Americas, Inc. & Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh

“Rehabilitation, Conversion and Extension of the Hot Metal Bridge”

The project converted a historically significant bridge—built in the late 1800s—into a pedestrian/bicycle trail that will complete a 316-mile trail system between Pittsburgh , Pa. and Washington , D.C. During the bridge conversion, the team avoided traditional sandblasting to remove toxic paint, by using a water impermeable containment system which captured, filtered and disposed of loose contaminants at an authorized landfill. Additionally, by using the existing structure, the design team avoided impacts to aquatic life, including endangered and threatened species.

Second Place : (Tie) Oregon Department of Transportation

“Greening Oregon's Bridges: Clarks Branch to Tunnel Mill Race”

Oregon Department of Transportation completed a two-year project to replace 10 bridges and repair an additional bridge along I-5 between Eugene and Myrtle Creek while utilizing successful recycling processes and habitat enhancement techniques. The department minimized the need for in-water scaffolding, ladders and aerial lifts, properly disposed of concrete chunks and rubble, and used bioswales—layers of dirt, plants and other natural vegetation that trap and remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water—on all bridges involved in the project.

Two honorable mentions were awarded in the bridge category. The first went to Skanska USA Civil Southeast, Flatiron Construction Corp., and PB Americas, Inc., and Florida Department of Transportation for their sediment control and recycling programs on the “Interstate 10-Escambia Bay Bridge Replacement” in Pensacola, Fla. The second went to the California Department of Transportation and the joint venture of T.Y. Lin International and CH2M HILL for their efforts to minimize impacts on marine habitat during construction of the “ New Benicia-Martinez Bridge ” in northern California.

The Globe Awards program is a Foundation project that complements ARTBA's “PRIDE in Transportation Construction” campaign to focus public attention on the many positive contributions the transportation construction industry has made to the U.S. economy and quality of life.

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