NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez announced that two NYSDOT projects were recognized by AASHTO for improving the mobility, safety and quality of life for the communities they serve.
Those projects being, the reconstruction of a key section of State Route 347 in Suffolk County and safety enhancements on the Jackie Robinson Parkway in Kings and Queens Counties. The projects are two of eleven state department of transportation projects from across the northeast to earn regional accolades in the 2026 America's Transportation Awards competition.
"On behalf of the incredible team of professionals at the New York State Department of Transportation, it is an honor to receive these awards for the projects we are advancing to enhance public safety and mobility for all users, improve connectivity in our communities and deliver growth and economic opportunity for all New Yorkers," said Dominguez.
State Route 347 Safety, Mobility, Environmental Improvements Project
The Reconstruction of State Route 347 in Suffolk County was recognized in the Operations Excellence, Large Project category, which honors projects that make effective use of existing transportation assets and processes (such as infrastructure, procedures, technology, partnerships) resulting in cost-effective, near-term solutions.
This project delivered necessary safety enhancements and improved mobility along a highway that was originally used as a roadway for farmers but now serves as a major highway for daily commuters resulting in additional traffic volumes that have led to increased vehicular crashes and congestion, according to NYSDOT.
These safety-mobility-accessibility problems were addressed by adding additional travel lanes, increased turning lane capacity and upgraded intersections, including signal coordination. This modified boulevard now includes a shared-use path, upgraded pedestrian facilities, green stops and bus pull-off areas and shelters to facilitate other modes of transportation.
Safety and Operational Improvements on the Jackie Robinson Parkway
The Jackie Robinson Safety and Operational Improvements Project was recognized in the Safety, Small Project category, which honors which highlights projects that implement proven countermeasures to protect transportation system users and/or workers and showcase innovative approaches to reducing roadway crashes.
This $9.6 million project was undertaken to reduce crash risks, improve mobility and enhance pedestrian accessibility along the Jackie Robinson Parkway, an urban parkway corridor connecting Brooklyn and Queens.
This project focused on the area between Jamaica Avenue and Highland Boulevard which experienced exceptionally high crash rates, with eastbound and westbound rates 4.7 and 11.6 times above the statewide average. Engineering analysis indicates crashes may be reduced by up to 40 percent because of this project, particularly rear-end and side-swipe collisions.
The Grand Prize will be chosen by an independent panel of transportation industry judges, while the People's Choice Award will be decided through online public voting. AASHTO will reveal both winners at its annual meeting in November 2026 in Louisville, Ky. The winners of both of those awards will each receive $10,000 to donate to a scholarship fund or charitable cause of their choice.
