BATON ROUGE, La. – Sherri H. LeBas, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), delivered the welcoming remarks at the opening session of the 2013 Louisiana Transportation Engineering Conference, which was held Feb. 17-20 at the Baton Rouge River Center.
Over 1,780 people representing 32 states and two countries attended the biennial conference, which provides a forum for education, sharing new ideas and methods, and discussing changes in the industry. The conference included 72 sessions and six workshops, and this year’s theme was "Partnerships for Progress in Transportation."
"In order to maintain progress and ensure that the infrastructure needs of Louisiana are met, I believe that we as professionals in transportation must work to strive for creative and innovative solutions to fund, design and construct projects," said DOTD Secretary Sherri H. LeBas. "Innovation through partnership is essential in order to tackle these challenges."
The conference’s general session included key speeches by Sec. LeBas; American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Executive Director Bud Wright; Federal Highway Administration Administrator Victor Mendez; and LSU Baseball Coach Paul Manieri.
An awards luncheon was held on Wednesday, Feb. 20, to recognize special achievements in engineering and construction projects performed by transportation partners of the LTC. This competition recognized the "best of the best" projects, demonstrating dedication to providing the highest quality in transportation infrastructure to customers, the citizens of Louisiana and the users of the state’s highways, transit systems, airports, ports and other public works.
The award recipients are as follows:
Roadway/Bridge Construction Less Than $10 Million:
LA 160 Integral Abutment Bridges, Zolan Prucz and Buck Ouyang (Modjeski & Masters engineers)
Roadway/Bridge Construction Greater Than $10 Million:
John James Audubon Mississippi River Bridge and Approaches, LA DOTD Bridge Design Section, Louisiana TIMED Managers, and Audubon Bridge Constructors
Other Infrastructure Construction Less Than $10 Million:
Statewide Signing Upgrade and Enhanced Mile Marker projects, LA DOTD Sign Design Unit (Alan Dale, Project Manager)
Other Infrastructure Construction Greater Than $10 Million:
Rebuilding General DeGaulle Crossings, Barrier Construction
Bridge Design Project Development:
I-210 Pier 24 and 25 Protection Replacement, F. Miller Construction Company
Road Design Project Development:
River Road Relocation associated with the L’Auberge Casino Development, Stantec, Inc.
Intermodal/Public Works Project Development:
Lafayette Regional Airport EMAS, LA DOTD Aviation Section and Lafayette Regional Airport
Context Sensitive Solution/Public Involvement:
US 171 Roundabout at LA 8/LA 28 in Leesville, LA DOTD Public Information Section
Use of Innovative Product or Technology:
Surface Resistivity Meter, Louisiana Transportation Research Center
Special Achievement in Customer Satisfaction:
Improving the DOTD-Local Public Agency Partnerships to Enhance the Local Transportation System, Ann Wills, DOTD Local Public Agency Liaison, and Marie Walsh and Nick Verret, Local Technical Assistance Program
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is committed to delivering transportation and public works systems that enhance the quality of life. In addition to more than 16,600 miles of roadway, including over 930 miles of interstate, DOTD supports the development of the state’s aviation, marine and rail infrastructures. Through this work, we are able to facilitate economic development, create job opportunities, improve vital evacuation routes, and make critical freight corridors safer and more efficient.
For more information, please visit www.dotd.la.gov, email dotdcs@la.gov, or call DOTD’s Customer Service Center at (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683). Business hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Motorists can access up-to-date travel information by dialing 511 or by visiting www.511la.org. Out-of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511).