​Secretary Wiedefeld Accepts AASHTO Award for Signature Program Prioritizing Safety for All Users of Maryland’s Transportation Network 

(July 10, 2025) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s Model Complete Streets Initiative – a department-wide effort to ensure accessible, equitable and safe options for all users across the state’s transportation network – was honored this week with a 2025 America’s Transportation Award presented by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

The Complete Streets initiative captured the regional award in the “Safety, Small Project” category. The award was presented to Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld at the annual meeting of the Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials, held July 8-10 in New Brunswick, N.J.

“Maryland is a national leader in Complete Streets, demonstrating in philosophy and practice that our transportation network must serve as a conduit of opportunity for every Marylander, no matter how they chose to travel,” said Secretary Wiedefeld. “This prestigious award is a testament to our commitment to being Serious About Safety — and to our work to save lives, expand mobility options and drive economic growth. It also recognizes the outstanding work and dedication of our entire team in pursuing these goals every day.”

A signature initiative of Secretary Wiedefeld, Maryland’s 2024 Complete Streets policy is a collaborative approach in transportation planning, design, construction and education between agencies and across state, county and municipal levels of government. The goal is to ensure Maryland’s roads, bridges, rails, trails, transit and other transportation options provide access for all, from pedestrians and bicyclists to bus and rail users, drivers and those using mobility aids.

“The America’s Transportation Awards shine a spotlight on the vital projects state departments of transportation (DOTs) deliver for their communities to enhance safety, expand mobility for users, deliver a better quality of life for residents and visitors, and keep our economy moving,” said AASHTO Executive Director Jim Tymon. “The America’s Transportation Awards competition continues to show us that state DOTs are able to transform communities in a variety of ways. And as Congress works toward a new federal surface transportation bill, lawmakers need to only look at the tangible benefits that states deliver to their customers through examples like these winners to see why robust federal funding to states is so important.”

In 2024, an estimated 566 lives were lost on Maryland highways, including 146 pedestrians and 10 bicyclists. While that’s down slightly from 2023 when 621 lives were lost, the overarching goal of Complete Streets is to drive Maryland toward Vision Zero: zero highway fatalities. MDOT’s new Serious About Safety initiative – an enhanced, department-wide effort to promote safety and save lives – advances that goal and complements the Complete Streets policy.

The Model Complete Streets Initiative honored by AASHTO puts Complete Streets principles into action.  It pulls together programs across MDOT, such as the Safe Routes to School program, the Maryland sidewalk data collection initiative and the State Highway Administration’s Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP), which identifies corridors where pedestrian and bicycle safety features can be added quickly and cost-effectively.

The initiative also includes last year’s partnership with Smart Growth America and three jurisdictions – the City of Hagerstown, the Town of Bel Air and Howard County – to develop “quick-build” Complete Streets projects using methods such as speed pillows, shared-use lanes and other features to reduce speed, increase visibility and provide safer pedestrian crossings. Working with local stakeholders, these “demonstration” projects were installed in just weeks and provided valuable data and community input to guide future efforts. 

A multi-use path along US 1 in Howard County​ was among temporary features installed as part of the quick-build projects last summer. SHA Photo

Building on that success, an additional round of quick-build projects is planned for this summer and fall in Anne Arundel, Cecil, Dorchester, Montgomery and Washington counties.

The Complete Streets initiative establishes Maryland as a national model for multimodal safety and mobility. Programs such as PSAP, SHA’s Vulnerable Road Users Assessment, quick-build projects, statewide crosswalk improvements and others are all part of a comprehensive approach to prioritize accessibility in every MDOT project.

“MDOT’s Complete Streets policy challenges us – and empowers us – to work as partners with other agencies and local governments to identify needs and select the right tools to enhance safety and improve communities,” said State Highway Administrator Will Pines. “Safety is always our highest priority, and SHA is showing every day that we can improve safety and mobility quickly and efficiently for all users.”

An integral piece of the Model Complete Streets Initiative is its interdisciplinary strategy across MDOT modes: State Highway Administration, Maryland Transit Administration, Motor Vehicle Administration, Maryland Aviation Administration, Maryland Port Administration and the Maryland Transportation Authority. Complete Streets also is prioritized in MDOT’s Fiscal Years 2025-2023 Consolidated Transportation Program budget, the 2050 Maryland Transportation Plan and the 2050 Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

The America’s Transportation Awards spotlight transportation departments across the country. This year, 35 states submitted 113 projects. As a regional winner, Maryland is in the running for a national finalist position. If selected, the state would compete for a $10,000 grand prize and a People’s Choice Award. Those winners will be announced in November.