When the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council decided to offer an Innovation Idea Award we set out with the goal to recognize Local Highway Jurisdictions and their employees for innovative ideas and efficient practices. Not only do we want to recognize these jurisdictions and individuals, we want to share their innovative ideas.

With 2015 being the pilot year for this award, we weren’t sure what kind of response we would get but ALL the submissions were fantastic. It was our pleasure to see so many outstanding nominations from local highway jurisdictions around the state. The nominations we received illustrated how hard the transportation community is working to develop both time and cost saving efficiencies.

Selecting winners was particularly tough as each entry demonstrated a high level of commitment and dedication to improving transportation here in Idaho. Placing one entry above another is never an easy process and each entry in its right, should stand alone as an example of innovation among our local transportation community.

This year we decided to award two jurisdictions winners, two honorable mention, one spotlight and one individual. 

2015 Innovation Award Jurisdiction Winners

West Camas Transportation Group: Joint Pavement Project

Gem County Road & Bridge: Shoulder Machine

2015 Innovation Award Individual Winner

Joan Meitl with Ada County Highway District: Green Stormwater Infrastructure Implementation

Honorable Mention – Nampa Highway District #1: Radius Seal Coat and Buhl Highway District: Cement Spreader

Spotlight Recognition – Ada County Highway District: The Bottom Feeder

LHTAC will showcase each of these outstanding innovations in our Tech News during the coming months.