Three California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) projects won regional awards in the 2025 America’s Transportation Awards competition, sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
“The America’s Transportation Awards shine a spotlight on the vital projects state DOTs deliver for their communities to enhance safety, expand mobility for users, deliver a better quality of life for residents and visitors, and keep our economy moving,” said AASHTO Executive Director Jim Tymon. “The America’s Transportation Awards competition continues to show us that state DOTs are able to transform communities in a variety of ways. And as Congress works toward a new federal surface transportation bill, lawmakers need to only look at the tangible benefits that states deliver to their customers through examples like these winners to see why robust federal funding to states is so important.”
Thirty-six transportation projects were submitted by 13 states in the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (WASHTO) region for this year’s competition. Projects were judged in four categories: Quality of Life/Community Development, Operations Excellence, Best Use of Technology and Innovation, and Safety. All nominated projects competed against projects of their own size (small, costing up to $10 million; medium, costing between $10 million and $100 million; or large, costing more than $100 million).
The following three projects in the California Builder & Engineer area won 2025 regional America’s Transportation Awards.
This project in Kings County replaced the aging Kings River Bridge — built in 1942 and widened in 1987 — to ensure the safety and reliability of State Route 41, which connects California’s Central Valley to coastal regions.
| Your local Trimble Construction Division dealer |
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| SITECH Southwest |
| SITECH West |
“Due to environmental concerns and the bridge’s location, staged construction was not an option,” said Alex Aguilera, Public Information Officer for Caltrans’ District 6. “Instead, a 150-day closure of SR 41 was implemented to replace the bridge with an eight-span, 330-foot-long by 44-foot-wide precast slab bridge. Innovative construction methods — including the first-ever precast pier cap with a pocket connection — were used, developed through Caltrans’ research with the University of Nevada. This innovation reduced risks in waterway projects.”
In addition, “During the closure, advanced techniques such as digital 3D modeling and geopositioned survey equipment ensured accurate installation of precast elements, preventing misalignment,” Aguilera said. “These methods saved time and increased precision.”
Because of the project’s location, “Stakeholder engagement was critical, particularly in coordinating with permitting agencies, managing time during flood seasons, and minimizing environmental impact using a temporary trestle,” Aguilera said.
With the full closure, Caltrans coordinated with regional partners to establish a 32-mile detour route. Two adjacent projects were completed within the project limits to minimize further traffic disruption.
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| Terry Equipment |
Caltrans worked with the Kings County Association of Governments on the $18.7 million bridge replacement project. MCM Construction built the new bridge, and Granite paved the adjacent stretch of SR 41.
“The project’s success was driven by strong collaboration among designers, construction teams, and stakeholders, ensuring a smooth and efficient completion,” Aguilera said.
This $14.9 million project in San Benito County replaced the high-accident, signalized intersection at SR 25 and SR 156 to improve safety and traffic flow. Designed to fit the sharp angle of the intersection, the turbo roundabout adds safety features to a traditional roundabout configuration, including 3-inch lane dividers that guide drivers and discourage lane changes. The new roundabout lanes accommodate the largest trucks approved for highway travel.
The finished project reduced broadside collisions and delays for commuter and freight traffic. Primarily funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the project was constructed by Graniterock of San Jose, California.
| Your local Trimble Construction Division dealer |
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| SITECH Southwest |
| SITECH West |
Recognizing that traditional procurement methods were not designed for early-stage innovations, Caltrans launched a $96,000 initiative to connect agency leaders with a diverse range of vendors, including small and emerging businesses. During the virtual Vendor Day, leaders across Caltrans presented on specific challenges to seek the vendor community’s help. The event showcased tools and technologies for Caltrans priorities like safety, equity, climate resilience, and multimodal transportation.
As part of the initiative, Caltrans also launched a vendor portal for continued collaboration. By offering a faster, more flexible way to explore new ideas, Vendor Day and the new portal allow Caltrans to identify scalable solutions and assess how to work within existing contract frameworks. The initiative also opened direct communication between vendors and decision-makers to help both sides better understand each other’s needs. Several ideas from Vendor Day are now moving toward implementation.
