Peace Garden News

Senator John Hoeven announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has granted $3 million to North Dakota State University's Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute. This funding will support NDSU's continued leadership of the Region 8 University Transportation Center.

The Center for Transformative Infrastructure Preservation and Sustainability, led by NDSU, conducts research beneficial to transportation agencies in the region. It also helps prepare the future transportation workforce through education and professional development opportunities. The center focuses on maintaining the extensive public infrastructure system in Region 8, which includes 410,387 miles of public road and 30,318 highway bridges.

“This grant will allow NDSU to continue its leadership of the Region 8 University Transportation Center, as they advance new and innovative transportation solutions for North Dakota and the surrounding region," said Hoeven. "We have supported NDSU’s leadership in this capacity over the years, and encouraged DOT to continue to invest in the smart and innovative transportation solutions coming out of NDSU.”

In September, Senator Hoeven sent a letter with the North Dakota delegation urging U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to support NDSU’s grant application for continuing operations at the Region 8 University Transportation Center.