​Montoursville, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recognized PennDOT employees with Innovation Awards for creating efficiencies and implementing best practices at a ceremony earlier this month. Three team members from PennDOT's District 3, which represents Bradford, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, and Union counties were among the honorees.

“The PennDOT workforce is more than 11,000 strong, and these award winners represent some of the most dedicated among us," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “I'm proud to see so many examples of that dedication and recognize those employees for their creativity in solving problems and working diligently for Pennsylvania travelers."

The annual Innovation Awards Ceremony recognizes some of the best and most innovative ideas cultivated and implemented by PennDOT employees across the Department. The ceremony honors employees who looked at the work they were doing, the processes, systems and tools they were using, and found ways to improve the quality, safety and value of the products and services PennDOT provides. Each employee receives a custom award that represents PennDOT's appreciation for their dedication and commitment to efficient and effective operations at all levels of the organization.

Carroll and other department executives honored winners Dan Frits, Corey Pisarz, and Brian Hendrickson. Frits, Pisarz, and Hendrickson were recognized for their efforts to improve the safety and efficiency of clearing the sidewalks on state-owned bridges during winter events by implementing the use of a Zero Turn Plow.

The Zero Turn Plow allows operators to clear snow from bridge sidewalks two and a half times faster than traditional methods, resulting in a cost savings of just over $2,100 per event. Additionally, the Zero Turn Plow eliminates the need for snow shovels and ice scrapers, which reduces the chances for injury.

“I congratulate Dan, Corey, and Brian, for being recognized for their innovative approach to snow removal from state-owned bridge sidewalks," said District Executive Eric High. “The implementation of the Zero Turn Plow has not only improved the safety and efficiency of clearing the sidewalks of these bridges that serve as a critical connection between communities and businesses but is also a cost savings."

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Tioga, Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour and Columbia counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District3.

Information about infrastructure in District 3 including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.gov/D3Results.  Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov. 

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MEDIA CONTACT: Maggie Baker, 570-368-4202 or magbaker@pa.gov   ​

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