PennDOT Honors Most Innovative Employees

​Uniontown, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recognized PennDOT employees with Innovation Awards for creating efficiencies and implementing best practices at a ceremony earlier this month. Two team members from PennDOT's District 12, which represents Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties were among the honorees.

"The PennDOT workforce is more than 11,000 strong, and these award winners represent some of the most dedicated among us," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. "I'm proud to see so many examples of that dedication and recognize those employees for their creativity in solving problems and working diligently for Pennsylvania travelers."

The annual Innovation Awards Ceremony recognizes some of the best and most innovative ideas cultivated and implemented by PennDOT employees across the Department. The ceremony honors employees who looked at the work they were doing, the processes, systems and tools they were using, and found ways to improve the quality, safety and value of the products and services PennDOT provides. Each employee receives a custom award that represents PennDOT's appreciation for their dedication and commitment to efficient and effective operations at all levels of the organization.

Carroll and other department executives honored winners Cristin Covert, P.E. and Troy Pritts. Covert and Pritts were recognized for Post-Construction Stormwater Maintenance Partnering on the Salina Bridge Replacement Project. Due to constraints with topography, a railroad, and nearby homes, stormwater controls were impractical. District 12 collaborated with the Westmoreland Conservation District and Vandergrift Borough on an off-site solution, installing permeable pavers and rain gardens at a municipal parking lot and sidewalk along Columbia Avenue. This location, within the same watershed, effectively addressed stormwater management, secured necessary approvals, and reduced long-term costs as maintenance is handled by the borough.

"Their innovation, creativity, and forward-thinking solution made a meaningful impact on this project and will save the department money and time in future maintenance", said District 12 Executive Rachel Duda.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/district12.

Information about infrastructure in District 12, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D12Results. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

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