Earlier this year the Federal Transportation Planning Excellence Awards were announced, and the Union Street Railroad Bridge was one of the winners!The Transportation Planning Excellence Awards (TPEA) Program recognizes outstanding initiatives across the country to develop, plan, and implement innovative transportation planning practices. This biennial awards program is sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and is co-sponsored by the American Planning Association.
More than 80 projects were nominated for this year’s Excellence Awards. Eleven projects received Awards, and another eleven projects were recognized with Honorable Mentions.
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The bridge was one of the top-level awards.
In addition to realizing the vision of a connected bicycle and pedestrian system, this exceptional project met additional community goals of mitigating for past environmental degradation and stimulating redevelopment in two blighted neighborhoods, all while preserving a significant tangible reminder of the past.
Seated in the front row is Mayor Taylor and Director of Public Works Peter Fernandez accepting with the other winners.
Other winners include New York City and San Jose for large bicycle networks, the State of Minnesota for a rail plan, and the State of Florida for a climate change plan.
(For the complete list of winners and for more about the program, see the full TPEA brochure here (pdf).)
