The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) is proud to announce that the Ashland Modular Roundabout has been awarded the “Best Use of Technology and Innovation, Small Project” in the 2024 America’s Transportation Awards competition. This recognition was presented today at the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (WASHTO) Annual Meeting, held at the CHI Health Center in Omaha.
“We are honored to receive this award, which underscores our commitment to utilizing innovation to improve transportation infrastructure,” said NDOT Director Vicki Kramer. “The Ashland Modular Roundabout is a testament to our dedication in delivering safer, more efficient travel solutions for our communities.”
Every day, over 5,600 vehicles navigate the US-6/N-66 intersection just outside of Ashland which was controlled by a two way stop. The crash rate at this intersection was 3.5 times higher than the state average. To address this, NDOT installed the roundabout in the summer of 2023. Since then, there has been a significant reduction in crashes and zero fatalities. What sets this roundabout apart is its modular construction, which costs about 60% less than a traditional concrete roundabout. It’s designed to handle freight traffic, agricultural equipment and regular vehicles, and can even withstand impacts from snowplows.
Plus, its components are built to last 50 years. Sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the America’s Transportation Awards competition highlights the exceptional projects delivered by state departments of transportation each year, emphasizing their importance in enhancing safety, strengthening communities, improving economic efficiency, and enriching the quality of life through innovative technology.
The Ashland Modular Roundabout is now in the running for inclusion in the competition’s “Top 12,” which will be publicly announced in early September and winners will be announced at the AASHTO Annual Meeting in Philadelphia this October.