NYSDOT Presents Fifth Annual Greenlites Awards For Environmental Excellence In Transportation Projects

ALBANY, NY (04/22/2013)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Joan McDonald today celebrated Earth Day by presenting awards to staff for incorporating environmental sustainability into project designs and maintenance operations through the first-in-the-nation Green Leadership in Transportation and Environmental Sustainability (GreenLITES) program.

"Keeping our world clean now and sustainable for future generations is the responsibility of everyone and it is a responsibility that the Department of Transportation takes very seriously," Commissioner McDonald said. "GreenLITES demonstrates our commitment to protecting our natural environment, reducing fuel consumption and vehicle emissions, and promoting a sustainable transportation system through all of our construction projects and highway and bridge maintenance operations across New York State."

Last year, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) posted GreenLITES as a case study and model sustainability program on that agency's Sustainable Highway Program's web page: http://www.sustainablehighways.dot.gov/documents/NYSDOT_Case_Study.pdf

Similar to the internationally recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program for buildings, GreenLITES utilizes a rating system to score NYSDOT transportation project designs and operations and to certify them in four increasingly rigorous tiers: "certified," "silver," "gold" and "evergreen," the highest rating. The more sustainable elements incorporated into a project or activity, the higher it scores.

GreenLITES includes a growing collection of tools for the planning and assessment of projects, operational activities, maintenance programs and regional investments. It is implemented through a self-certification process overseen by an advisory committee. In addition, a quality review team provides assurance that "sustainable and green" design elements are ultimately incorporated into completed projects.

Designs are rated in categories covering site selection, water- and air-quality protection, the minimization of waste, reduced energy use and innovation. Examples of design elements that scorers might rate highly include those that protect, enhance or restore fish and wildlife habitat, minimize storm water runoff, improve traffic flow, reduce energy and petroleum consumption, improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities and minimize noise and stray light.

NYSDOT maintenance operations staff incorporates GreenLITES environmental stewardship into all of their activities, which keep the highways and bridges functioning safely on a day-to-day basis. Work affected includes everything from cleaning drainage basins and reducing herbicide applications to rehabilitating rest areas, enhancing noise barriers with landscaping and promoting the use of alternative fuel vehicles.

"Evergreen" recognition has been awarded to the following:

• Delaware County NYSDOT Residency, South – In 2011, following Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, maintenance staff used new protocols learned in training sessions for post-flood stream repairs to restore Cadosia Creek, including work in the creek and along the creek's floodplain. The new protocols and training sessions were developed in 2009 by the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.

• Allegany, Chemung, Schuyler and Yates County NYSDOT Residencies – Maintenance crews fabricated "tailgates" to receive wood chips into large dump trucks, instead of smaller patrol trucks that were usually used for wood chipping. The dump trucks have greater capacity to hold the chips, which means greater efficiency because more time can be spent chipping wood and less time is spent transporting wood chips. This frees up patrol trucks for other jobs, such as pothole patching, and could be a great asset in future emergency storm response.

• Allegany County NYSDOT Residency – Maintenance staff is partnering with Genesee River Wilds, Allegany County, Alfred State College and the towns of Belfast and Caneadea to create access to parks along the Genesee River. NYSDOT provides materials, equipment and labor to support a sustainable system of parks and trails that provide safe public access to the river and promote tourism, education and protection of our open space.

• Butternut Bridge Crew – In 2012, a special bridge maintenance crew was established to focus on the Interstate 81 viaduct, including the Interstate 690 interchange, through Syracuse. Every day, more than 100,000 vehicles use the viaduct, which was built in the 1960s. The crew washes, paints and repairs the bridge in order to keep it operating safely and extend its life.

• Oswego County NYSDOT Residency – Oswego County is known for intense lake-effect snow storms and has one of the highest snowfall rates in the state. In order to reduce salt application without affecting road safety, maintenance crews began using an underbody plow, allowing them to remove more snow through mechanical rather than chemical means. The underbody plow is located underneath the plow truck and works like a razor to remove additional snow, ice and hard-pack. Using those plows during the last five years, NYSDOT has saved approximately 27,000 tons of salt, keeping the substance out of the area wetlands, ground water, lakes and streams, while saving taxpayers approximately $1.3 million.

• Routes 347 and 112 Corridor and Intersection Improvements – This project in Brookhaven, Suffolk County, seeks to integrate the transportation system with existing and future land use plans while enhancing sustainable travel options. A major component is a new "jug handle" intersection to reduce travel delays, fuel use and vehicle emissions. Features include an off-road shared-use path, bus service realignment, increased tree plantings, pedestrian refuge areas, crosswalks and new solar and LED lighting.

• Routes 5 and 20 over Cattaraugus Creek Bridge Replacement – Construction of a new bridge in Chautauqua and Erie counties will provide wide shoulders and sidewalks on both sides to encourage bicyclists and pedestrians to safely use the bridge. A roundabout just north of the bridge will replace a signalized intersection to reduce congestion. Two trees will be planted for every one tree removed as part of the project.

• Interstate 390 Interchange 16 Reconstruction at East River Road/Kendrick Road – Located in Rochester, this road reconstruction and rehabilitation project includes sidewalks, bicycle lanes, extension of a multi-use trail and LED lighting in order to improve sustainability. The project will help reduce congestion and improve mobility during peak travel hours, both ensuring shorter travel times and enhanced air quality.

• North South Arterial Viaduct Replacement – The ongoing project to address structural and geometric deficiencies includes significant environmental improvements. The project features construction of a pedestrian bridge, recreation trail, new sidewalks and new crosswalks; removal of approximately 200,000 tons of contaminated soil and invasive plant species; new LED lighting; and the planting of three trees for every one tree removed as part of the project.

• Pedestrian Accessibility and Bicycle Improvements on Long Island – NYSDOT took a comprehensive approach to identifying and addressing pedestrian and bicycle needs along State roads across Long Island. Improvements focused on areas with railroad stations, bus stops, state parks, existing bicycle networks, downtowns and college campuses in order to encourage non-motorized travel. More than 8,000 feet of new sidewalk was installed, while approximately 20 miles of existing bicycle routes were upgraded and three miles of new bike lanes were built.

• Route 9 Safety Improvements – This project focuses on safety, congestion, pavement condition and pedestrian facilities through South Glens Falls, Saratoga County. A continuous two-way left-turn lane will reduce congestion, which leads to less fuel consumption and lower vehicle emissions. Sidewalks will be replaced or built new, pedestrian signals added or upgraded and new crosswalks installed to keep pedestrians safe and promote walking as an alternative to driving.

For more information on the GreenLITES program, please visit https://www.dot.ny.gov/programs/greenlites.

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