Category 9 - Highway/Improvements on Federal, State or Publicly Owned Land Blue Ridge Parkway : (R-529BD) The Blue Ridge Parkway that winds through the Appalachian Mountains provides some of the most beautiful views in the U.S. When NCDOT began widening U.S. 421 near the Blue Ridge Parkway, engineers put effort into improving the roadway while minimizing the environmental impact. To do so, NCDOT collaborated with the National Park Service and Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division. The bridge design incorporated arched spans with abutments and stone masonry, and the nearby retaining wall utilized colored concrete in order to simulate a stone masonry design. Engineers integrated the existing ramps to reduce impacts to the adjacent mountain bog. Officials then purchased a buffer to compensate for the damages to National Park lands. In the end, the three organizations successfully improved an existing highway system while maintaining the integrity and beauty of the natural surrounding area. (click to enlarge)      Back to Biennial Awards Homepage