Nominations are currently being sought for the annual America’s Transportation Awards competition. State departments of transportation have until April 14 to get their projects submitted for consideration.

The competition began in 2008 (through a partnership between sponsors AAA, AASHTO, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce) as a way to recognize state DOTs and highlight the tremendous projects they delivered to make their communities a better place to live, work, and play. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the America’s Transportation Awards still showcases why transportation infrastructure–and properly funding it–is so important.

State DOTs may enter up to three projects in the following categories: Operations Excellence, which highlights projects that have improved operations of the transportation system to make effective use of existing transportation assets, address service unreliability, and improve safety; Best Use of Technology and Innovation, which focuses on projects that improve transportation infrastructure through the use of new technology and innovation; and Quality of Life/Community Development, which highlights projects that better connect people to businesses, jobs, health care, and recreational activities while encouraging a mix of transportation modes.

All nominated projects will first compete on a regional level. The top three projects from each region will be named into the “Top 12” and will go on to compete for the top two national prizes. Winners of those top two prizes will each receive $10,000 to donate to a charity or scholarship of their choice.

Learn more about the competition at www.americastransportationawards.org. Nominations must be submitted here. For any questions, contact Maggie Kasperski, AASHTO communications manager, at 202-624-3659.