RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) received the 2007 Green Leadership Award in the government category Wednesday from the James River Green Building Council (JRGBC) for its design and construction of the new Interstate 64 West Safety Rest Area in New Kent County.

The agency was recognized during the chapter’s third annual awards luncheon.

“VDOT remains a committed steward of both the Commonwealth's natural resources and every dollar entrusted to our transportation infrastructure,” said Chief of Systems Operations Connie Sorrell, who attended the awards ceremony on behalf of VDOT.

“Sustainable design and best construction and management practices are critically important for meeting our customers' expectations. We are very appreciative of the JRGBC's recognition of our leadership and commitment to environmental stewardship," she said.

Sustainable designs aim to produce places, products and services in a way that improves energy efficiency, reduces use of non-renewable resources and minimizes environmental impact.

Opened in April 2007, the 9,000 square foot safety rest area not only has traveler amenities such as restroom facilities, vending and information kiosks, but it also has environmentally friendly features, such as:

• A system to collect more than 250,000 gallons rainwater from the roof annually that is used for flushing the restroom facilities
  
  
• A storm-water bio-retention facility to control and filter runoff from the parking lots
  
  
• A 32-well geothermal system that uses the constant temperature 400 feet below the surface of the earth to reduce the need for supplemental heating and air conditioning
  
  
• Energy efficient lighting to provide maximum visibility with minimal energy consumption that makes the new facility approximately 75 percent more efficient in energy consumption than its predecessor
  
  
• A terrazzo floor made from recycled mirrors and glass, rather than traditional granite or marble

Over time, these energy-savings efforts will result in a significant operational cost savings for the commonwealth.

This interstate facility is one of three recent safety rest area reconstruction projects in the commonwealth.

The Interstate 95 South Welcome Center in Fredericksburg opened in Oct. 2007 and the Interstate 81 South Welcome Center near Winchester is expected to open later this winter.

All three reconstruction projects are designed to meet the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.

The new I-64 West New Kent Safety Rest Area was designed by DJG Inc. and built by David A. Nice Builders, both of Williamsburg.

It was completed ahead of schedule.

For more information about this safety rest area, including video and photography, click here.

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Page last modified: Nov. 30, 2007