SALEM, OR — The sidewalks, roads, and bridges Oregonians rely on to get around are poised to become more environmentally friendly in the coming years thanks to a recent grant from the Federal Highway Administration.
The federal Low-Carbon Transportation Materials program awarded the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) up to $31.9 million to research and test ways to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with construction materials like concrete, asphalt, and steel.
Justin Moderie, ODOT State Construction and Materials Engineer, said improving production methods or adjusting the ingredients in a construction material — while still preserving its strength and life expectancy — will be a key part of their work.
“Materials like concrete, asphalt, and steel are the backbone of our transportation system, so we’re looking at ways to make them better for the environment,” Moderie said. “This grant will help us work with academic experts and our construction partners to advance the use of lower-emission materials while building and maintaining Oregon’s transportation infrastructure.”
Producing construction materials and products generates nearly 15 percent of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
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Reducing emissions from ODOT operations and materials is one of the ways the department is working to reduce emissions from transportation and address climate change. ODOT's latest data says that by 2050, Oregon is on track to reduce emissions from transportation by about 60 percent.
