MdQI, a consortium of agencies and associations representing Maryland's transportation industry, was founded by the MDOT State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) and private sector representatives in 1993. Since its founding, the group has expanded its mission and activities to include all MDOT transportation business units and MDTA, the U.S. Department of TransportationFederal Highway Administration (FHWA), local government transportation and public works agencies and industry associations.
The MdQI Conference is an annual gathering to support the efforts of Maryland’s transportation industry and agencies. Each year, industry experts representing public and private sectors evaluate MdQI Award of Excellence nominations. Criteria for awards may include planning and design, innovation, sustainability, environmental quality, specification compliance, traffic engineering, maintenance, cooperation, contract administration, materials compliance, production equipment, erosion and sediment control, project management, adherence to schedules, subcontracting and overall project quality.
“MdQI continues to embrace innovation and partnership, delivering reliable, safe, effective transportation infrastructure to Maryland customers,” said MDOT Deputy Secretary R. Earl Lewis. “It was a pleasure to see MDOT recognized for outstanding projects that are helping to connect our customers to life’s opportunities.”
MDOT SHA led the awards total at the ceremony with six MdQI honors. MDOT SHA captured Project of the Year honors in the category of projects under $5 million for construction of a retaining wall to promote slope stabilization along Conowingo Road in Harford County. Other MDOT SHA award-winning projects included the $33.4-million widening and reconstruction of MD 32 between MD 108 and Linden Church Road in Howard County; the $21-million bridge replacement at MD 261 over Fishing Creek in Calvert County; and intersection and safety improvements at US 50 and Sixty Foot Road in Wicomico County.
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Other MDOT business units receiving awards included the MDOT Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA), the MDOT Maryland Aviation Administration (MDOT MAA) and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA).
MDOT MAA won five awards, including two for the $8.6-million project to reconstruct the concrete pavement apron surrounding 10 aircraft gates at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, Concourse B. MDOT MAA contractor Machado Construction of Baltimore won the Minority Business Enterprise/Women’s Business Enterprise Award for Construction for this project.
MDTA won three MdQI Awards of Excellence, including MdQI Project of the Year over $5 million for the $52.8-million project to replace the superstructure of the I-895 Bridge over Patapsco River Flats. MDOT MTA also won three awards, including honors for design and construction in the category of projects over $5 million for the $7-million Camden Station, which opened in September 2019. Camden Station also received the award in the Green/Sustainability/Environmental category for its energy-efficient features.
The MdQI consortium includes:
- American Concrete Pavement Association
- American Council of Engineering Companies – Maryland
- Baltimore City DOT
- County Engineers Association of Maryland
- Federal Highway Administration - Maryland Division
- Maryland Asphalt Association
- MDTA
- MDOT MAA
- MDOT Maryland Port Administration
- MDOT MTA
- MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA)
- Maryland Highway Safety Office at MDOT MVA
- MDOT SHA
- Maryland Ready Mix Concrete Association
- Maryland Transportation Builders and Materials Association
MdQI sponsors 10 subcommittees: Awards, Conference, Innovation, Partnering, Project Development, Public Relations, Outreach, Transportation Operations, Safety and Utility. Each subcommittee works throughout the year to support the consortium’s mission, goals and activities; facilitate discussion and problem-solving; recognize industry achievements; and provide technical sessions on industry practices and issues. These activities include the statewide Annual Conference, Awards of Excellence program and a transportation-related Minority Business Enterprise networking event.
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One of MdQI’s goals is to educate Maryland students about the transportation industry and associated careers. Student outreach events include middle school and high school visits, the annual Engineers Week program for middle school and high school students at the Engineers Club of Baltimore and the MdQI Transportation Career Day for high school students at the War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore. In 2019, MdQI updated its website, joined LinkedIn and created a new website for students interested in transportation careers.
The Innovation Subcommittee hosted the first statewide Innovations Showcase at the Maryland State Fairgrounds and strives to bring innovations forward from the public sector, private sector and academia.
