(The Center Square) – North Dakota State University’s Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute has been awarded $3 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
In September, U.S. Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer and Rep. Kelly Armstrong R-N.D., urged Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to support NDSU’s grant application.
“NDSU and its partners have a long history of collaboration with state, metropolitan, and local departments of Transportation and Tribal Nations in the region,” the letter stated. “The Universities and personnel involved in this application are proven leaders in transportation research, technology and education and have extensive experience leading large-scale federal and state-funded programs.”
The university conducts research that is used by transportation agencies, provides education in transportation, and sustains 410,387 miles of public road and 30,318 highway bridges that make up Region 8’s University Transportation Center.
“This grant will allow NDSU to continue its leadership of the Region 8 University Transportation Center, as they advance new and innovative transportation solutions for North Dakota and the surrounding region.” Hoeven said.
Since 1987 NDSU has led the program which maintains the extensive infrastructure of Region 8.
The funding comes as a result of the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act which allocated $68.9 billion for modernization and improvement of roads and bridges, $2.5 billion to improve highway safety and $21.1 billion for transit options – among its budget for transportation systems – in the largest federal allotment ever made for public transit systems.
Both Hoeven and Cramer voted for the Investment and Jobs Act which became law on Nov. 15, 2021.
“Congratulations to NDSU and the Center for Transformative Infrastructure Preservation and Sustainability for its selection as the Region 8 University Transportation Center,” Cramer said. “I am grateful to see the Department of Transportation recognize their work with this award.”
NDSU’s Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute states its “guided in part by an advisory council composed of representatives of various organizations, industries, and agencies affecting or affected by transportation,” which will help with decisions on how best to spend the $3 million grant.
Hoeven is a member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Committee.
“We have supported NDSU’s leadership in this capacity over the years, and encouraged DOT to continue to invest in the smart and innovative transportation solutions coming out of NDSU,” he said.
