DENVER – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-1) issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s announcement that University of Denver (DU) will receive a federal grant for transportation research and education as a University Transportation Center.  The program, administered by the DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), will provide a total of $77 Million in grants to institutions across the country to drive innovative solutions to local transportation challenges, and in turn, strengthen the efficiency of our nation’s system.  DU was awarded the grant as part of a consortium with Mississippi State University and two others which will receive $3.5 million.  DeGette previously wrote a letter of support to assist DU in securing the grant. 

“I’m so pleased that the University of Denver has been awarded this grant to study the transportation needs of our region.   We all know that transportation is key to our economic strength, to the quality of life for our communities and, in the 21^st century, to the health of our environment.  Transportation infrastructure provides opportunity for citizens and for businesses large and small. That is why we must meet our transportation challenges head on, with innovative solutions and a vision for the future. The transportation research and education DU will be conducting is critical not only to overcome our current challenges, but to ensure success in our future as well.” 

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