Contact: Ernest Blazar 202-224-7627 Shana Stribling 224-0309
Tuesday, July 16, 2002

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Kit Bond and Representative Jo Ann Emerson today announced that the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration has approved almost a million dollars in federal funds for the University of Missouri-Rolla’s program for transportation research and education.

“Reliable roads mean safe roads. The net result of these dollars means better technology utilization on our roadways and that saves lives. I am pleased with the work of the University of Missouri in this area, and to be a part of bringing dollars to continue their critical work,” said Bond, who as a member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the Department of Transportation was instrumental in directing this money to Missouri. “The future of Missouri’s economy depends upon modern transportation,” said Bond. “This money will help move our roads into the 21st century.”

Emerson, a member of the House Appropriations Transportation Committee and a former member of the House Transportation Committee has worked on issues relating to transportation with UMR for several years. Announcing the funding Emerson commented, "Transportation is an issue that has a direct impact on the life of every Missourian. It is absolutely critical to our personal safety and success of future job creation and economic development to build a transportation system that is efficient, effective and above all else, safe. The hardworking men and women at UMR are helping us accomplish those goals and I am thrilled to have worked with them on this project and congratulate them for receiving this very important funding."

The $916,300 in grant money will support the Center for Infrastructure Engineering Studies (CIES), which is one of 33 University Transportation Centers (UTC) funded by the Department of Transportation.

The CIES at Rolla focuses on addressing national needs in the areas of transportation infrastructure focusing on advanced materials and non-destructive testing (NDT) technologies. This involves: Development, understanding, and use of new more durable construction material and NDT methods; Installation processes and engineering design structures such as highways, bridges and buildings; Testing, monitoring, and evaluation of new and repaired structures; Standardization and code approval of products and design protocols; Education and technology transfer.

Advancing national transportation needs, in particular, the safe and secure movement of hazardous materials to industry and consumers via all modes of transportation is one of the main goals of UTC programs, like the one at Rolla.

Bond served Missouri twice as Governor and now continues his service to Missourians in the United States Senate.