Project of the Year Awards
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HIGHWAY ENGINEERS, NEW ENGLAND
CALL FOR POY ENTRIES
ENTRY DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED: Monday, February 2, 2026
ASHE New England annual Project of the Year Award’s selected this year will be recognized for their excellence and outstanding contribution to our transportation industry at the February 17, 2026, Annual Scholarship & Awards Dinner Event in Greater Boston. Projects submitted must be directly related to a field of transportation.
Eligibility:
- Projects must be substantially complete and open to public between May 27, 2023 - December 31, 2025.
- Projects must be in located in New England.
- Project must involve at least one of the following transportation features:
Highways/Roadways, Bikeways and Multi-use Paths, Bridges, Traffic Control/Signalization (Includes ITS), Railroads, Public Transit - Entries must be submitted via email on or before Monday February 2, 2026, 5:00PM EST deadline. No exceptions will be accepted as late entries. (See POY Entry Form for EMAIL ADDRESS, Subject Line)
Award Categories:
· Projects $30M and under in construction cost
· Projects from $30M to $100M in construction cost
· Projects over $100M in construction cost
Entry Submissions Must Contain:
· Completed Project Entry Form (note commitment to attend local and National Awards if selected).
· Narrative describing the project not exceeding 1500 words (single sided, 12-point font, 8 ½ “x11” pages); the narrative must address the 6 categories in the scoring and judging criteria below.
· Project construction costs (must be provided to be considered eligible).
· Up to five (5) five construction drawings on 11”x17” sheets that are relative to the scoring and judging criteria.
· Up to five (5) photos (maximum size: 8 ½”x11”) that are relative to the scoring and judging criteria.
· Verification of substantial completion date.
· Statement of commitment that at least one representative from the project team will attend the New England Scholarship and Awards Dinner on February 17, 2026.
· A single PDF file in the order noted with a size limit of 18 MB. 1. Completed Project Entry Form, 2. Narrative, 3. Drawings, 4. Photos.
· Photos used in the PDF must ALSO be provided separately in high resolution jpg format. Photos must be labeled with Project Name, and Numbered.
· $100 Entry Fee.
· Commitment that if selected as a winner your entry will provide the following by Monday 2/9/2026:
- PowerPoint slide presentation that will be displayed at the New England Scholarship & Awards (Max 5 Pages).
- 500-word max summary of their project to be used on ASHE communications.
Award Scoring and Criteria Used in Judging:
Submittals will be judged by a panel comprised of at least three (3) ASHE New England members that are in good standing, selected by the ASHE NE Scholarship and Awards Director and approved by the President.
Each submittal will be judged based on the following criteria:
- 25% Complexity
- 25% New application of Existing Techniques / Originality / Innovation
- 15% Social/Economic Considerations
- 15% Safety
- 10% Aesthetics and Sustainable Features
- 10% Meeting and Exceeding Owner’s/Client’s Needs
National Project of the Year Opportunity for ALL New England Entries: (closed as of January 5, 2026)
All winning Entries selected by ASHE New England Section will be advanced towards the ASHE National Project of the Year competition and will be provided the opportunity to display an exhibit about their project on a 30" x 30" board ASHE National Conference May 27 – 31, 2026 2026 American Society of Highway Engineers National Conference
One project will be selected for an ASHE National Project of the Year in the $30 million and under category, the $30 to $100 million category, and the over $100 million category.
Awards will be presented to the owner, designer, and contractor in each category for recognition of excellence in the judging criteria listed.
The ASHE National winning teams will receive:
· Awards to be presented to the owner, designer, and the prime contractor at the ASHE National Conference
· An article written by the winning team about the project will be placed in the ASHE Scanner (Newsletter)
· A photo with the name of the project and the names of the design firm, contractor, and owner will be included in the ASHE National Conference brochure and website
· Free admission to the ASHE National Conference Luncheon honoring Past Presidents, for up to three representatives from the winning team in each award category.
