Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today announced a $2,570,600 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to the University of Maine to form a regional transportation research center. The center will focus on saving taxpayer dollars by researching ways to extend the life of New England’s transportation infrastructure. 

“Harsh New England winters take a toll on our roads and bridges year after year, not to mention our vehicles. The rough conditions wear out pieces of our transportation network faster than in many places, creating costly problems for our state, communities, and residents,” said Pingree.  “This federal funding will help devise ways to make these transportation assets more durable and last longer, which will save taxpayers millions in the long run. The University of Maine’s record of engineering innovation—especially at its Advanced Structures and Composites Center—makes it perfect to lead this New England partnership.”

The University of Maine is partnering with the University of Rhode Island, University of Connecticut, University of Massachussets Lowell, University of Rhode Island, and Western New England University to create the Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center. It would harness the experience of 28 faculty and 280 student researchers in pursuing research that solves New England states’ pressing transportation infrastructure durability needs. 

Pingree led a joint letter of support in the House to help secure the federal grant. 
 
The U.S. DOT University Transportation Centers (UTC) 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.