The Patrick-Murray Administration’s Accelerated Bridge Program (ABP) has received a national award for innovation in project management.

The 2011 Francis B. Francois Award for Innovation by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) honors ABP, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), for “innovative program management, project development, and construction technologies and methods.”

“I’m proud to see national transportation experts recognizing the innovative work being done here in Massachusetts,” said Gov. Deval Patrick. “The Accelerated Bridge Program is doing exactly as envisioned, addressing the previous neglect of our bridges while putting thousands of people to work.”

AASHTO cited as an example of innovation MassDOT’s groundbreaking “93Fast14” project that replaced 14 bridges on Interstate 93 in Medford during 10 weekends in June, July, and August. The project used prefabricated bridge sections and completed bridge replacements between Friday evening and Monday morning each weekend to minimize traffic disruption.

“MassDOT applies innovation, efficiency and effectiveness when working to repair structurally deficient bridges and improve transportation infrastructure across the state,” said Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray. “From the 14 bridges replaced in Medford to the Phillipston and Wellesley ’heavy lift’ projects, MassDOT continues to work towards these goals and completing projects that are both on time and on budget.”

“The Governor and Lieutenant Governor made investment in our transportation infrastructure a top priority from day one,” said MassDOT Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Richard A. Davey. “The Accelerated Bridge Program is a cornerstone of their commitment, and we pledge to live up to this honor with additional innovative bridge projects in the months and years ahead.”

Since its inception in 2008, the MassDOT Accelerated Bridge Program has advertised 152 construction projects with a combined construction budget of $1.013 billion, creating or sustaining more than 10,600 direct construction jobs. ABP has reduced the number of structurally deficient bridges from 543 to 456, a decline of 16 percent.

The Francis B. Francois Award for Innovation honors a former AASHTO executive director and is selected by AASHTO’s Standing Committee on Performance Management. The award winner each year is a state transportation department that has implemented an outstanding innovative program. By receiving the award, MassDOT receives a $10,000 graduate fellowship to bestow on a state university student pursuing an advanced transportation-related degree.

“On behalf of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, I congratulate the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, recipient of this year’s Francis B. Francois Award,” said John Horsley AASHTO executive director. “This honor recognizes transportation departments for their extraordinary effort to implement outstanding innovative programs. MassDOT’s Accelerated Bridge Program is recognized for successfully completing its mission of improving infrastructure rapidly, replacing bridges efficiently and using innovative management practices to streamline construction and lessen its related impacts.”

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