AASHTO announced this week that state transportation departments interested in nominating their projects for the 2013 America’s Transportation Awards have an extra week to get their projects in, as the deadline, originally April 5, has been extended to April 12.

The competition recognizes the best transportation projects across the nation each year by state transportation departments, focusing on projects that finish ahead of schedule, under budget, and display the best use of innovation. Within those categories, projects are divided into three size groups: large (more than $200 million), medium ($26 million to $199 million), and small (less than $25 million).

Projects first compete on a regional level, after which the 10 projects with the highest scores move on to compete for the national Grand Prize and the People’s Choice Award.

Last year, a record 34 states nominated 49 projects for the competition. California Department of Transportation claimed the Grand Prize for its I-405/Sepulveda Pass Project—Mulholland Bridge Demolition (aka “Carmageddon”). Florida Department of Transportation was presented the People’s Choice Award after receiving the most online votes from the public for its A. Max Brewer Bridge Replacement Project. Both state DOTs received a $10,000 prize to donate to a transportation-related scholarship or charity of their choice. The same prizes are being offered in this year’s competition.

Projects must have been completed by Dec. 31, 2012, to be considered in this year’s contest.