UMaine lands lands $2.5M grant for R&D on more durable roads
The University of Maine has been awarded a $2.57 million grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation to form a regional transportation research center focused on researching ways to extend the life of New England’s roads and bridges.
UMaine is partnering with the University of Rhode Island, University of Connecticut, University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of Rhode Island and Western New England University to create the Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center. The center intends to harness the experience of 28 faculty and 280 student researchers in pursuing research that solves New England states’ pressing transportation infrastructure durability needs.
“Harsh New England winters take a toll on our roads and bridges year after year, not to mention our vehicles,” said U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine District 1, who led a joint letter of support in the House to help secure the federal grant. “The rough conditions wear out pieces of our transportation network faster than in many places, creating costly problems for our state, communities and residents.”
Pingree said UMaine’s “record of engineering innovation — especially at its Advanced Structures and Composites Center— makes it perfect to lead this New England partnership.”
The U.S. DOT University Transportation Centers Program awards and administers grants to partnerships of colleges and universities to advance transportation research and technology and to develop the next generation of transportation professionals.
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