UMaine receives federal funds for transportation research center, media report

WABI (Channel 5), Mainebiz, the Bangor Daily News and the Associated Press reported the University of Maine will receive a $2,570,600 grant to lead a coalition of New England universities in the creation of a University Transportation Center (UTC). UMaine will receive about $14 million over the next five years toward leading transportation research to address challenges in the national transportation system. Every five years since 1987, academic institutions take part in the competition to create a UTC for their region, and the past five rounds have been led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, WABI reports. “Building on an impressive legacy of accomplishment, UMaine is well-positioned to lead this research to address the major challenges facing the future of our nation’s transportation systems,” Sen. Susan Collins said in a statement. “We look forward to leading research that will extend the life of existing bridges, construct longer-lasting assets, and reduce costs for the DOT and the public,” Habib Dagher, the founding executive director of UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center, said in the statement. U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree also issued a release announcing the grant. Maine Public, The Seattle Times, The Washington Times, The Fresno Bee, SFGate, U.S. News & World Report, The Times Record and The Kansas City Star carried the AP report. Wired Focus carried the WABI report.