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WASHINGTON , WA - June 24, 2009 -- U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced more than $5.2 million in grants to 14 states to promote the use of innovative technologies in highway bridge construction and repair.
"Advanced bridge construction and repair techniques cut construction time and repair costs, and ultimately reduce traffic delays," said Secretary LaHood."These funds will be spent on improvements that ultimately offer a better experience for our nation's drivers."
The Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment (IBRD) program, administered by the Federal Highway Administration, promotes more widespread use of effective and beneficial technologies and applications that are not common practice and encourages states to use these technologies Previous grants, for example, have funded bridge prefabrication projects in which parts are built off-site and then placed onto a bridge.Utilizing prefabrication strategies saves drivers countless hours of congestion caused by prolonged bridge work.
The program was authorized by the "Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users" (SAFETEA-LU) legislation to promote innovative design, materials and methods that improve construction and repair of the nation's highway bridges.