Students: PennDOT Innovative Challenge Contest announced

Rick Dandes, The Daily Item, Sunbury, Pa.
·1 min read

Oct. 3—SUNBURY — Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)'s seventh annual Innovation Challenge was announced on Tuesday. The challenge is open to high school students, grades 9-12, from around the state.

For this year's challenge, students are asked to develop a plan for the replacement of an aging multi-lane roadway that will reconnect previously separated neighborhoods and incorporates community needs, such as accommodating bicycle and pedestrian traffic, allowing for new business development and ensuring the smooth flow of traffic. The proposed solution should also consider additional costs to restore the affected community.

Regional Innovations Challenge winners will be selected and invited to present their solutions to the PennDOT Secretary and a panel of judges, who will determine the statewide winner. For this year's challenge, the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors (APC) has donated $2,500 and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania (ACEC/PA) has donated $1,500 for a combined total award of $4,000 to the statewide winning team.

For complete Innovations Challenge details, visit www.penndot.gov/innovation and click on the blue Innovations Challenge tile on the right side of the page. The submission deadline is Jan. 26, 2024, said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll.

— RICK DANDES