The Arizona Department Of Transportation will use a $27 million federal grant to research the use of low-carbon transportation materials in Arizona. Funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, the study will explore innovative uses for recycled asphalt and concrete.
It’s the largest investment in the agency’s history committed to tracking and improving ADOT’s usage of sustainable road materials. The agency said it’s one of 39 state transportation departments to recently receive grants under the federal program.
ADOT spokesman Steven Olmsted said the agency has probably spent the last 10 years trying to define what sustainable pavements look like.
“But what we specifically get out of it is a much improved format to measure pollution reduction, energy efficiency, construction water use," Olmsted said.
In Arizona and nationally, state transportation departments are accelerating their ability to make more sustainable efforts and meet the public’s transportation needs, he said.
“I think there’s a wide set of concerns — just as Arizona residents — for quality of life," Olmsted said.
ADOT will start its research in early 2025.
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A proposal from Republican Rep. Nick Kupper would, among other things, set up a pilot project on a stretch of I-8 between Casa Grande and Yuma as a “derestricted speed zone” for at least a year. -
For the last several years, there’s been an effort to give cities back some of their ability to regulate that market; the state generally took it away in 2016. -
Two new Mesa laws allow Class 1 and 2 e-bikes and e-scooters to ride alongside pedestrians on all sidewalks and shared bicycle paths. -
The Waymo traveled north on the tracks near the Southern/Central Avenue station while trains approached from both directions. -
One proposed state law would reduce the age at which a teenager can get their driving permit to 15 years, down from 15 and 6 months. Another would remove speed limits on some rural interstates.
