The National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) honored the I-295/I-76/Route 42 Interchange project for its outstanding environmental contribution. The project team was recognized for developing and implementing an environmental streamlining program that enabled the critical project to advance, despite challenging environmental constraints. Key players in the Camden County, New Jersey, project are: the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, and Dewberry. Dewberry Vice President Ileana S. Ivanciu, PG, accepted the award.

"We are honored that our industry colleagues recognize the value of our environmental streamlining process for this project, and as a model for future transportation initiatives; this process was successful due to the commitment and dedication of the project's many partners which are recognized here today," said Ivanciu.

The environmental streamlining process developed for this project brought planners, designers, resource agency personnel, and regulators together in a formalized program, with agreed upon time frames, and genuine personal commitments. Environmental documents and a preferred alternative were developed in a fully collaborative effort, seeking the viewpoints of various disciplines much earlier than is typical. Streamlining enhanced the consideration of natural and human resources, enabling engineering considerations to advance in concert with reviews. Final engineering design is now underway on this project which will provide a direct through connection for I-295 users, alleviate congestion in the most heavily traveled interchange in Southern New Jersey, and support economic vitality in the region.

About National Association of Environmental Planners

NAEP is the multi-disciplinary association for professionals dedicated to the advancement of the environmental professions. It is a forum for information on environmental planning, research and management, as well as a network of professional contacts and exchange of information among colleagues in industry, government, academia, and the private sector.