NJDOT projects win 2015
America's Transportation Awards

Regional awards qualify two projects for national prize

(Trenton) - New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced that two Department projects have been named regional winners of the 2015 America’s Transportation Awards Competition.

The America's Transportation Awards – co-sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA, and the US Chamber of Commerce – annually recognizes the best of America's transportation projects in four regional competitions.  States can enter projects in three categories: Under Budget, Best Use of Innovation, and Quality of Life/Community Development. The 10 regional winners will compete for the National Grand Prize and the People's Choice Award and $10,000 prizes to be given by the winners to a transportation-related charity or scholarship program.

New Jersey was recognized for the Route 46 over Musconetcong River project, which was named Best Use of Innovation, and the US 322 Bridge/Mullica Hill Pond Dam project, which won for Quality of Life/Community Development.

“I am very proud of all the NJDOT personnel involved with these projects,” NJDOT Commissioner Jamie Fox said. “These awards are a testament to the Department’s commitment to finding new construction techniques, and our dedication to improving our communities. But more important than the awards is the knowledge that New Jersey is leading the way in transportation innovation as we continue to make our roads safer for motorists around the state.”

• Route 46 over Musconetcong River project partially replaced the bridge which connects Hackettstown, Warren County, and Mt. Olive and Washington, Morris County, with a new superstructure composed of pre-cast, pre-stressed concrete beams with an integral concrete deck. The $3.4 million federally-funded project used prefabricated components to minimize impacts and expedite the construction period.  The project also included drainage improvements and rehabilitating the sidewalks and parapets.

• US 322 Bridge/Mullica Hill Pond Dam project upgraded the existing Mullica Hill Pond dam and replaced the Route 322 Bridge over the dam spillway and Raccoon Creek in Harrison, Gloucester County. The $8.1 million project brought the dam up to Safe Dam Act requirements, with a new spillway capable of handling water flow from a ‘100 year storm event’ without the dam overtopping. NJDOT replaced the structurally-deficient Route 322 bridge over the dam spillway and improved the substandard geometry of the western approach roadway improve sight distance.