Date:  Monday, October 04, 2010

Contact:
Victoria Tobin, WSDOT Communications, 206-464-1184
Noel Brady, WSDOT Communications, 206-464-1183
Nancy Boyd, WSDOT Deputy State Design Engineer, 360-705-7233

OLYMPIA – Washington will receive $189,500 in federal funds to participate in a pilot project to better understand how extreme weather brought by climate change could damage the state’s major bridges, highways and other transportation structures.

“We have a responsibility to look ahead to make sure we protect and ready our infrastructure assets for future potential impacts to our transportations system,” said Secretary Paula Hammond of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). “The state’s transportation structures are critical to moving people and goods and keeping the economy moving.”

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) selected WSDOT to pilot a step-by-step process developed by FHWA to define the risks and the potential effects of climate change on transportation infrastructure. The pilot project will provide $189,500 to partially match WSDOT investments in asset management and sustainability. Based on the outcome of WSDOT’s assessment, the federal agency will improve the model and make it available to other state transportation departments and organizations.

“Participating in this pilot project gives us invaluable data to complete our ongoing, statewide assessment to be better prepared for potential consequences of a changing climate,” said Nancy Boyd, WSDOT deputy state design engineer and climate change preparation activities lead. “Whether it’s a bad storm during a high tide or extreme temperatures, we need to know how the changes could alter or damage our roadways and facilities and, ultimately, how we can best prepare for or prevent the damage.”

The pilot project provides the funds WSDOT needs to complete the state’s climate change risk assessment for transportation and an opportunity to test drive FHWA’s new approach to risk assessment. Partnering with FHWA means WSDOT can draw from national resources and lessons learned to make transportation more sustainable and infrastructure more resilient.

WSDOT is nationally recognized for its efforts in preparing for and adapting to the impacts of climate change. The work is part of the agency’s long-term investment and comprehensive approach to a more reliable, resourceful and sustainable transportation system. For more information, visit WSDOT’s sustainable transportation web page at www.wsdot.wa.gov/sustainabletransportation. For information about the pilot project, visit FHWA at www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/climate/cmp.htm.

Working toward a more sustainable transportation system through strategies, such as managing demand and making roadways operate more efficiently, are central to Moving Washington, WSDOT’s congestion-relief program.

< Go Back