PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is gearing up for a study of low-carbon transportation materials after receiving a $27 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration.

ADOT will use the money to develop a research program with potential projects identified over several years, according to a release from the state agency.

The FHWA selected ADOT for the grant as part of the federal Inflation Reduction Act.

“The research will allow ADOT to follow up on its experience with integrating environmentally supportive processes into highway pavement projects. That includes the use of recycled pavement material, such as reclaimed asphalt and recycled concrete pavement, on a number of projects,” the release stated.

A goal will be to work with highway builders, including pavement plant operators and pavement contractors, to establish a process for analyzing pollution reduction, energy efficiency and the production of longer-lasting pavements with low-carbon benefits, state transportation officials said.

Federal grant funding is expected to be available starting in 2025. 

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