On October 27th, T2 Center staff, guests and Connecticut’s top transportation leaders came together to honor the 99 transportation professionals that completed our certificate programs in 2011.  We had 42 Road Master graduates, 23 Road Scholar graduates, 13 Legal Traffic Authority graduates and 21 Public Works Academy graduates.  Our keynote speakers were Representative Bill Aman of South Windsor, Commissioner James Redeker of the DOT, Division Administrator Amy Jackson-Grove of FHWA and two graduates – Kevin Kelly of Colchester and Honorable Laura L. Francis of Durham.  The speakers focused their remarks on the importance of professional development and the immense value that public works and highway maintenance have in our state. Graduate speakers Kevin Kelly and  Laura Francis both shared how important their professional development has been in their careers and how the information they have learned at workshops has really helped them to improve their agencies and departments.  Kevin also noted that, as a supervisor, sending his crew to classes has been a powerful tool in improving their operations and increasing safety among his team.

The 2011 Connecticut Creative Solutions Award winners were also recognized at this annual event and each of the winners got up to share a bit about their winning solution.  Details on this year’s winners and those from past years can be found on our website at http://www.t2center.uconn.edu/solutionsaward.php

We also used the ceremony to recognize Representative Bill Aman’s hard work in supporting legislation to double fines in municipal work zones – helping to improve worker safety in local road construction and maintenance projects.  Representative Aman was instrumental in getting this important legislation passed.