Innovation Award Nominees (2025)
Here is the complete list of all Mnovators nominated for the 2025 Innovation Awards. Winners in each category are indicated by an asterisk (*) next to the project name. For more information about any of these projects, email us at research.dot@state.mn.us
| Category | Name of Innovation | Innovators | MnDOT Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| People’s Choice | *Controlled Modulus Columns | The Soft Soil Solution | Adam Ahrndt Alan Setrum Kelly Brunkhorst Rich Lamb |
District 8 |
| Spark Award | *Use of 3-D Printer to Make Custom Parts for Traffic Signals | Tom Christopherson Ron Christopherson |
Transportation System Management & Operations |
| Automation of Division S boilerplate special provisions | Division S for less (time) | Tom Klevan Garrett Geib |
Project Management & Technical Support | |
| 394/Dunwoody use of geotargeting and geofencing | Timothy Nelson | Metro | |
| Story Maps for HWY 252/I94 and Rethink I94 | Roadway Reflections | Amber Blanchard Mark Lindeberg |
Metro | |
| Youth Leadership Program | Renee Raduenz Melissa Barnes |
Metro | |
| Rondo Digital Delivery | Rondo Digital Library | Julie Groetsch Jose Aguilar Joey Mandelko Karen Neinstadt |
Land Management | |
| P-SED | Jim Schneider | District 2 | |
| Geo Composite Joint Drain | Bernard Izevbekhai Tom Burnham Ben Worel Terry Beaudry |
Materials & Road Research | |
| Upgrade Award | *Project Bundling: Pedestrian Bridges in Multiple Districts | Paul Johns Luke Johanneck Peter Davich |
Construction & Innovative Contracting |
| Plans by Planner App | Utilizing Microsoft 365 Tools for Plan Implementation Tracking | Jesse Thornsen | Transit & Active Transportationv | |
| Psychological Safety in the Workplace | We Mind What’s on Your Mind. | Lauren Dao Chelsey Brummer Emil Bautista Joseph Voels |
Materials & Road Research | |
| Flow Award | *Blatnik Bridge Permitting Process | Pat Huston John Krysiak Matt Meyer |
District 1 |
| Complete Streets Engagement Kits | Build a Street Fun Box | Nissa Tupper | Sustainability & Public Health | |
| A11Y (Accessibility) Champions Program | Aaron Arvig Emily Lu John Robnett |
Administration | |
| Project Specific Electronic Data | Digital Plans for a Digital Future | Beth Scheffer Todd Vonasek Rebecca Embacher |
Chief Counsel | |
| ReMast | Carolyn Adamson Curt Kobilarcsik |
Metro | |
| Aero Grant Management Process Improvement | Runway Ready: Streamlining Grants for Takeoff | Arika Johnson Kirby Becker |
Aeronautics | |
| Smart Coring | Transforming Pavement Scoping Through 3D Ground Penetrating Radar | Eyoab Zegeye Shongtao Dai Thomas Calhoon Jeff Brunner |
Materials & Road Research | |
| MnDOT’s Digital Library | Turning Pages into Pixels | Karen Neinstadt Maddie Kuncio |
Research & Innovation | |
| Innovation of the Year | *Enhanced Pavement Striping – Increased Life and Visibility | I Can See Clearly Now Even if the Rain Is Gone | Derek Leuer Max Moreland Ethan Peterson Eric DeVoe |
Traffic Engineering |
| Controlled Modulus Columns | The Soft Soil Solution (Winner of People’s Choice) | Adam Ahrndt Alan Setrum Kelly Brunkhorst Rich Lamb |
District 8 | |
| Bringing Fleet into TAMS | TAMS Tackles Fleet | Trisha Stefanski Skyler Carpenter Robert Buhl Thomas Zimmerman |
Asset Management | |
| An All-In-One Solution for Manhole Repair | Mr. Manhole | Justin Knopf | District 4 | |
| Lane Constrictor Intersections | New Low-Cost Treatment Reduces Fatal and Injury Crashes at Historically Challenging Thru-Stop Rural Intersections | Derek Leuer Max Moreland Ethan Peterson Eric DeVoe |
Traffic Engineering | |
| Bridge Office Replacement & Improvement System (BORIS) unleashes “Bridge Data”, Making it a Member of MnDOT’s Highly Productive Workforce | David Hedeen Ed Lutgen Dustin Thomas Nicki Bartelt |
Bridge | |
| Monarch Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) | The Monarch Motorway | Chris Smith Tina Markeson |
Environmental Stewardship | |
| Hydraulic Wing Cart and Winch | Wing Cart | Josh Pyka | District 3 | |
| goMARTI Self-Driving Shuttle Pilot Program | Future Mobility Connecting Rural Communities | Thomas Johnson-Kaiser Tara Olds |
Transportation System Management & Operations | |
| Tribal Employment Dashboard | Isela Gomez Chang Yang |
Civil Rights |
Updated: December 2025