I am pleased to announce the projects selected for the 2017 Environmental Excellence Awards. For 20 years, the biennial Environmental Excellence Awards have recognized partners, projects, and processes that exceed traditional environmental expectations for transportation projects to achieve excellence. As in past years, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) presents awards to outstanding transportation initiatives that incorporate environmental stewardship and streamlining into transportation planning and project development.
The 2017 awardees represent some of the Nation’s proudest achievements this year in protecting and enhancing the environment while also strengthening the transportation network. From accelerating project delivery to preserving our cultural and natural heritage, the projects highlighted in this program demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting environmental stewardship through transportation programs, plans, and initiatives.
The Environmental Excellence Awards recognize the importance of both the natural and human environment and how we think about the environment in project planning and development processes. As such, the 2017 awards recognize projects in 16 categories within three topic areas: natural environment, human environment, and organization and process innovation. In recognizing these projects, we aim to promote awareness of the successes that States, agencies, and individuals can achieve by incorporating environmental excellence into their everyday work.
Congratulations to this year’s winners! On behalf of the FHWA, I commend you for your outstanding accomplishments and for your commitment to environmental excellence.
Sincerely,
Walter Waidelich
Acting Deputy Administrator
April 21, 2017
