Jacksonville, Fla. – Winners of the America’s Transportation Awards (ATA) competition were announced, honoring the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) – District 2 as the Grand Prize winner for its I-10/I-95 Interchange reconstruction project.

A panel of transportation experts voted for its favorite project in the country and selected FDOT’s interchange rebuild, known as “The Big I,” as America’s Best Transportation Project. The award and $10,000 cash prize were presented during the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Annual Meeting. The money will be used to support a charity or academic scholarship program.

AASHTO, AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sponsored the 4th Annual ATA competition, which recognizes outstanding transportation projects in three categories: On Time, Under Budget, and Innovative Management. In August, the Big I was honored as the ATA winner in the On Time, Medium Project category. FDOT then joined nine other national finalists to compete for the Grand Prize and People's Choice Award.

FDOT worked with prime consultant GAI Consultants (CEI), Archer Western Contractors (contractor), and URS Corporation (engineer of record) to complete the $157 million reconstruction project.

“GAI is proud to be part of this collaboration with FDOT and Archer Western,” offers Greg Nettuno, P.E., Vice President and GAI-Jacksonville Managing Officer. “When a project team works together to solve major challenges associated with constructing complex transportation projects, the results will have a direct benefit to the taxpayer and the traveling public.”

The Big I required 17 bridges, 21 ramps, and 25 lane miles to be built through one of the busiest interchanges in Florida. Construction commenced in February 2005, and was completed six months ahead of schedule in October 2010. The project transformed Jacksonville's downtown transportation system, providing congestion relief and additional road capacity for approximately 172,000 vehicles daily.