The U.S. Department of Transportation will be offering a $5 million funding opportunity for a research initiative on the use of steel slag in cement and concrete. The entire amount will be awarded to one accredited university in partnership with a steel producer.
The partnership between an accredited research university, a U.S. steel producer and the agency will work to reduce the carbon emissions associated with extracting and manufacturing construction materials.
“This funding initiative will develop and advance innovative materials and technologies that support the Nation’s goals to decarbonize the transportation sector by 2050, strengthen resilience of the Nation’s transportation infrastructure, and address adverse environmental impacts created by the transportation system,” Dr. Robert C. Hampshire, deputy assistant secretary for research and technology and chief science officer, said.
Funding will be available over five years, subject to availability.
“We’re proud to make this funding available to help develop the next generation of construction materials so that the future of our transportation infrastructure is more resilient, more sustainable, and made in America,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
Buttigieg participated in the New Materials for Infrastructure: Reinventing the Roadway, Runway, and Railway panel discussion at this year’s Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting. He stressed the importance of innovation.