NCDOT RECEIVES THREE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Tuesday, May 03, 2005

NCDOT RECEIVES THREE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Awards recognize the Reedy Creek Greenway in Wake County, N.C. Scenic Byways and Environmental Research Programs

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) received three 2005 Environmental Excellence Awards from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on Friday, April 22, as part of an Earth Day ceremony in Washington, D.C.

"Since I was first appointed four years ago, I have made protecting the environment a top priority," said State Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett. "These prestigious awards recognize the department’s daily commitment to exceeding environmental standards as we work to improve transportation options for all our citizens."

NCDOT’s Scenic Byways and Environmental Research programs along with the Reedy Creek Greenway and I-440 Pedestrian Bridge in Wake County each received an award for exceeding environmental standards. Awards are presented in 11 categories ranging from "Air Quality Improvement" and "Environmental Research" to "Non-motorized Transportation" and "Scenic Byways." North Carolina is the only state to receive awards in multiple categories this year. Winners were selected from among 238 nominations from 38 states and the District of Columbia.

"North Carolina's efforts carry forward the U.S. Department of Transportation's commitment to a high quality transportation system and a healthy environment," said Federal Highway Administrator Mary E. Peters. "We appreciate and applaud North Carolina's dedication to these objectives."

Environmental Research Program

NCDOT’s Environmental Research Program won the FHWA’s Excellence in Environmental Research award for its work to improve knowledge of transportation and its effects on the natural environment and communities.

A recognized national leader in environmental research, NCDOT is one of only seven states that use state funds to supplement FHWA research dollars for its environmental research program. The department has participated in projects spanning many areas of environmental research including wetland mitigation, freshwater mussels, wildlife passages and water quality.

Many of these projects involve extensive cooperation and partnerships among other agencies, which allows the department to help develop innovative solutions to environmental issues.

Scenic Byways

The state’s Scenic Byways Program received the Excellence in Scenic Byways Award. This award recognizes the department’s efforts to create a system of roads that highlight the state’s historic, cultural and scenic treasures while providing motorists with an unique travel system that serves as an option to faster-paced traffic found on interstates and in commercial areas.

Currently, North Carolina has over 1,700 miles of designated byways on 49 different routes. Byways are carefully chosen to represent some of the state’s most geographically diverse and environmentally-sensitive areas. NCDOT works with local governments and organizations to ensure preservation of the natural beauty and resources found along these routes.

In 2003, NCDOT partnered with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to create a new educational program that links the N.C. Scenic Byways Program with education. The result was a teacher’s guide containing hands-on lesson plans to help fourth-grade students gain a greater knowledge of the byway program while learning about the state’s diverse geography, history and cultural heritage. The guide is accompanied by DVD’s that visually explore North Carolina’s scenic byways.

Reedy Creek Greenway and I-440 Pedestrian Bridge

NCDOT’s Reedy Creek Greenway and I-440 pedestrian bridge is the recipient of the Excellence in Non-Motorized Transportation Award for successfully integrating environmental concerns into transportation planning, promoting livable communities, building partnerships and increasing the amount of pedestrian and bicycle use. The project’s second phase, which includes the 660-foot I-440 pedestrian bridge, was recently opened to the public.

Totaling 4.7 miles, the Reedy Creek Greenway will link two college campuses with some of the most visited sites in western Raleigh including the N.C. Museum of Art, Meredith College and Umstead State Park. When completed, the greenway will connect Raleigh’s greenway system with other area trails via Umstead State Park.

The project involved significant partnerships between state agencies and private organizations including N.C. State University, Meredith College, the N.C. Museum of Art and the City of Raleigh.

Established in 1995, the Environmental Excellence Awards Program was developed by the FHWA to encourage state transportation programs to exceed minimum environmental standards while working to meet a wide range of transportation needs. In 2003, North Carolina received the Environmental Leadership Award for its partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in developing a partnership based on mutual support for environmental stewardship.

For more information on the FHWA’s 2005 Environmental Excellence Awards visit www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/eea.htm.

For more information on NCDOT’s programs visit www.ncdot.org.

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