University of Akron

Amount Appropriated?

$1.0M

FFID tracks stages 1–2 — stages 3–5 vary by agency, assistance type, and earmark structure.

Project Description

The State of Ohio has one of the largest transportation networks in the nation with nearly 120,000 centerline miles of roads and more than 44,000 bridges. A significant percentage of these roads and bridges are located in Northeast Ohio. According to a recent report by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the overall ratings for the transportation infrastructure in Northeast Ohio are D+ for roads and C- for bridges. Therefore, significant investments are needed to ensure the longevity of these infrastructure assets. Funding is requested to establish a research and training center at the University of Akron that focuses on transportation infrastructure materials and rehabilitation to assist in making better decisions regarding the materials and methods used for the rehabilitation of the aging infrastructure in Northeast Ohio. The proposed center will have three main thrusts. The first thrust involves the investigation of materials and processes used for the rehabilitation of roads, bridges, and culverts that are appropriate for the specific climatic conditions in this region of the state. The second thrust includes conducting workshops for local agencies on best practices for managing and maintaining their transportation assets. The third thrust addresses one of ASCE\u2019s recommendations, which suggested to provide students with training for in-demand careers in the region. Several associations involved with the construction industry (including Flexible Pavements of Ohio and the Ohio Aggregate and Industrial Minerals Association) have indicated a need for workforce training. The development of a program for training students in various aspects of construction activities will complement the university\u2019s existing educational program and would also help local public agencies and industry to meet their needs for trained personnel.