【時報訊】I-64號高速公路在預算內並提早在2009年12月7日完成，密蘇里州高速公路日前贏得密州品質獎(Missouri Quality Award)，實至名歸。
這項總長10公哩之工程，分成兩半各5公哩，在過去年兩年內有如奇蹟式的完工，東西兩段工程都提前完成而且均在預算內，節省密州州民百萬元稅款。
由於密州高工局傑出之表現，目前I-64號工程已獲得全國之矚目，聯邦高速公路管理局已將之列為模範，作為全國表率。
據密州高工局局長Pete Rahn表示，I-64原本是一個為期7年的工程，當初決定分兩段關閉高速公路施工受到很大的攻擊，人們擔心交通阻塞，施工安全，不相信高工局可以做到在兩年內完工。結果是，在高工局審慎的計劃及認真努力的施工下，I-64號高速公路拓寬工程終於如期完成，並且獲得密州品質獎之鼓勵。
ST. LOUIS INTERSATE 64 - BELOW BUDGET AND AHEAD OF SCHEDULE MODOT'S PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
JEFFERSON CITY, MO. - Under budget and ahead of schedule Interstate 64/Highway 40 in St. Louis was opened to traffic Monday, December 7, 2009 by the Missouri Department of Transportation.
The 10-mile stretch of interstate had been closed in five mile sections each of the last two years so that dramatic improvements could be made in an amazingly brief amount of time. Both sections of the highway expansion were completed ahead of schedule and under budget, saving Missouri taxpayers millions of dollars
These achievements were possible because of MoDOTs pursuit of excellence. Working with Missouri's Excellence in Missouri Foundation helped MoDOT improve its processes and practices. These improvements earned the department the prestigious Missouri Quality Award in 2007.
Pursuit of the Missouri Quality Award is much more than a desire to win a trophy. The criteria the award is based on drives performance excellence within the organization, resulting in improved business results, happier customers and engaged employees.
"Organizations who apply for the award receive feedback from more than 1,000 hours of analysis of the organization's approaches, processes and results. This feedback is highly valued by the applicants as it helps them understand where they are performing well and where they can improve," said Raina Knox, President, Excellence in Missouri Foundation. "Missouri Quality Award winners are organizations considered to be role models in the state. This designation is highly valued and the mark of an exceptional organization."
When originally proposed, closure of both sections of I-64 was controversial because of the potential for major inconveniences and safety concerns. Applying principles championed by the foundation, MoDOT carefully planned the process by which the closures would take place and the schedule by which the improvements would be completed.
"We took a project that would have brought traffic to a virtual halt for seven years and completed it with only two years of impact on the public," said MoDOT Director Pete Rahn. "Applying for and ultimately winning the Missouri Quality Award allowed us to hone our planning, customer involvement and accountability processes, all of which were vital to the great success of the I-64 project."
The Excellence in Missouri Foundation exists to help organizations in the state of Missouri in pursuit of performance excellence. Services offered by the Foundation include workshops, conferences, organizational assessments and consulting. The focus of the Foundation is to help organizations improve through education and skill building within the organizations to drive holistic performance improvement. |
