AASHTO Journal - Illinois DOT Holds Second Annual Photo Contest

For the second consecutive year, the Illinois Department of Transportation is hosting a photography contest to highlight how transportation connects communities statewide.

[Above photo by Illinois DOT]

The agency said the public is invited to submit original photos digitally – even mobile phone photos – for this contest to DOT.PhotoContest@Illinois.gov through June 20; photos that demonstrate why transportation is important to them.

Photos should showcase transportation at work in Illinois, including biking, walking, rails-to-trails projects, highways, bridges, work zones, transit, airports, and waterways – anything related to mobility.

“Countless modes of transportation are available throughout the entire state, and we want the public to show us the positive impact they are having on your community,” said Illinois DOT Secretary Gia Biagi in a statement. “It could be a picture of your favorite trail you bike or hike, a bridge, road, train, bus, airplane or waterway. Anything that keeps Illinois moving, we’d love to see your photography skills at work.”

The agency said submitted photos will be reviewed by Illinois DOT staff and narrowed down to three finalists. Entries will be judged based on creativity, aesthetics and the impact of the photo subject on you or your community. The three finalists will then be displayed online for a public vote to determine the winner.

This is but one of several outreach efforts initiated by Illinois DOT to highlight how transportation benefits the public in a myriad of ways.

For example, in May, the agency launched its new “Take the Exit” podcast to explore the individuals, projects, and stories shaping the transportation sector in Illinois.

The podcast’s first episode featured Juan Pava, highway safety programs unit chief at Illinois DOT, to discuss work zone safety as construction season commences.

The agency added that new episodes of “Take the Exit” will be released monthly that peek behind the scenes of day-to-day Illinois DOT operations among other transportation topics.