To encourage the research and use of innovative materials and associated techniques in the construction and preservation of the domestic transportation and water infrastructure system, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · November 14, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
The IMAGINE Act of 2023 aims to speed up adoption of innovative materials in American transportation and water infrastructure projects to improve performance, reduce costs, and extend the lifespan of roads, bridges, and water systems. The bill creates an interagency task force led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop unified federal standards and identify barriers to using new materials, and it establishes regional "Innovation Hubs" at universities and research institutions to conduct research and testing on advanced materials. The legislation authorizes $8 million annually through 2028 for the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center to focus on innovative materials for bridges and rural roads, $65 million annually for a competitive grant program supporting innovative bridge projects in coastal and rural areas, and another $65 million annually for water infrastructure projects that use new materials in mid-sized communities. Key priorities include using domestically produced materials, promoting factory prefabrication and advanced construction techniques, and supporting projects in areas vulnerable to flooding and coastal erosion. The bill affects state transportation departments, tribal governments, water utilities, universities, and infrastructure contractors who will benefit from expanded research funding and new grant opportunities.
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