Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) secured $1,920,660 for the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to utilize innovative information sharing across state lines. These improvements to communication will allow NDOT to make quicker and more strategic transportation decisions to improve safety and reduce congestion on I-80. The funding comes from the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant program, which Senator Cortez Masto created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This initiative will support transportation improvements to address congestion, help grow our communities responsibly, and keep our roads safe.
Last month, Senator Cortez Masto secured an additional $275 million to expand the I-80 corridor and address safety and traffic concerns.
“Maintaining and improving Nevada’s infrastructure has always been one of my top priorities,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I am glad to see the funding for innovative solutions that I secured come into our state for travelers on I-80. I look forward to continuing to work with my state and local partners to make Nevada’s transportation systems as safe and efficient as possible.”
“Enhanced communication and data sharing along this corridor will enhance multistate operations to support the nation’s economy through better supply chain management, real time road information, and emergency response,” said NDOT Director and I-80 Coalition Founder Tracy Larkin Thomason. “Every day, millions of people traverse this interstate highway, stretching from California to New Jersey, and this grant will help maximize our efforts to promote connectivity and interoperability of digital infrastructure and data transfer across jurisdiction boundaries,” she added. “We’re excited to work on this important coordinated effort with our transportation partners in Nevada and across our nation.”
Through her Innovation State Initiative, Senator Cortez Masto secured multiple transportation provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including funding to support smart cities that use technology to solve transportation challenges and cleaner transportation options. This funding is already benefiting Las Vegas and the RTC and enhancing traffic safety and efficiency.
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