IDOT receives $31.6 million for study of low-carbon construction materials

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today it has received $31.6 million in federal funds to develop a program to expand the use of clean construction materials that result in reduced levels of greenhouse gas emissions. The award aims to support clean American manufacturing while reducing pollution from the production of concrete, steel, asphalt and other materials.

“Illinois has continually been a leader in research as well as finding ways to deliver projects that minimize the impact on the environment,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “The grant from our federal partners will advance both and create economic opportunity in exciting, new areas that combat climate change.”

Illinois is one of 39 recipients to receive a combined $1.2 billion through the Federal Highway Administration’s Low Carbon Transportation Materials Program. The $31.6 million award is the maximum amount.

In receiving the grant, IDOT will continue working with its research partners and members of industry to create new processes to quantify emissions impacts of construction materials and deploy innovative low carbon materials on actual projects.

The work will include developing standard procedures for reporting on the carbon intensity of construction materials, pilot projects and research to seek new sustainable materials for future consideration. As part of the grant, IDOT will monitor performance for safety and best practices over the next six years.

The department is implementing several other projects related to sustainable construction materials, including Federal Climate Challenge funding for a demonstration project using dolomite quarry byproducts in road construction.

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