CHARLOTTE, NC The Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) recognized the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) as Transportation Owner of the Year at the DBIA Design-Build in Transportation Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"VDOT is a leader in design-build and strives to continue its commitment to the program," Commissioner Charles Kilpatrick said. "The design-build process is a means to deliver transportation projects faster and more efficiently than traditional methods, while also contributing to economic growth and development in the commonwealth."

DBIA's Transportation Owner of the Year Awards recognize transportation industry organizations that have made significant contributions in advancing the awareness, understanding and use of the design-build project delivery method.

In the design-build method of project delivery, contractors and design consultants form an integrated team to assume the responsibility for design and construction. This single point of responsibility typically results in increased innovation and faster project delivery than the traditional VDOT-designed and contractor-built method.

The number of design-build projects has steadily increased since VDOT first began using the delivery method in 2004. Currently, there are 29 design-build projects in progress, valued at $1.17 billion, which represents 54 percent of its total contract value of $2.16 billion.

Award winners are selected by DBIA's Transportation Committee, comprised of design-build professionals and industry experts from across the country.