Blacksburg council majority backs Smart Road I-81 connector | Blacksburg News | roanoke.com

BLACKSBURG — The town council narrowly passed a resolution Tuesday night backing a hefty funding request for the proposed connection of the Smart Road to Interstate 81.

The request came from the New River Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization, which about two years ago re-introduced a $215 million proposal to link the currently private Smart Road in Blacksburg to the roadway that provides the quickest route between the New River and Roanoke valleys.

Town council passed the resolution on a 4-3 vote.

The MPO plans to submit the request to the next round of Smart Scale, a competitive program that scores locally submitted transportation projects seeking state funding. New application rules require that submissions obtain formal backing from localities that the projects would be in.

The Smart Road is currently under the management of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and is regularly used as a test track for automotive innovations such as self-driving cars.

Continue reading this article here...

 

You might also like:

Featured
DARPA Announces Next Phase of Electronics Resurgence Initiative
DARPA Announces Next Phase of Electronics Resurgence Initiative

Expanded program portfolio seeks to increase access to DoD-specific electronics manufacturing capabilities, enhance hardware security, and ensure ERI investments translate to DoD applications

Smart infrastructure challenge announces winners of $50 million in seed funding
Smart infrastructure challenge announces winners of $50 million in seed funding

StateScoop — Four development teams have taken home top prizes in a competition for advanced infrastructure proposals, each securing up to $10 million in investment capital.

Cincinnati, Hamilton County to get U.S. Homeland Security help in combating opioid epidemic
Cincinnati, Hamilton County to get U.S. Homeland Security help in combating opioid epidemic

Cincinnati Enquirer — The Cincinnati area will get new help in its opioid fight through a pilot partnership with U.S. Homeland Security’s Science and Technology division that could yield a nationwide response to the epidemic.

Cincinnati-area governments sign opioid data-sharing pact with feds
Cincinnati-area governments sign opioid data-sharing pact with feds

StateScoop — At a "smart regions" conference in Ohio, representatives from several jurisdictions pledged to use technology to reduce drug overdoses.

Regional action cluster aims to make Cincinnati a leader in cyber-technology
Regional action cluster aims to make Cincinnati a leader in cyber-technology

CINCINNATI -- A partnership among businesses, educators and agencies is working to turn Cincinnati into the Silicon Valley of the Midwest. Local schools are training the next generation of cyber experts.

Winners announced in first Smart Infrastructure Challenge
Winners announced in first Smart Infrastructure Challenge

Smart Cities Dive — Four cross-jurisdictional teams took home the top cash prizes in the first Smart Infrastructure Challenge, hosted by smart city and technology strategy firm Venture Smarter.

'Technology alone cannot solve our problems': Top takeaways from Smart Regions Conference
'Technology alone cannot solve our problems': Top takeaways from Smart Regions Conference

Smart Cities Dive — Speakers in Columbus, OH, emphasized the need for cities to put people first, but the age gap between elected leaders and smart city proponents could be a hindrance.

San Leandro City Council Approves Fiber Optics Smart City Master Plan 
San Leandro City Council Approves Fiber Optics Smart City Master Plan 

SAN LEANDRO, CA: At the September 17th City Council meeting, Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter and the San Leandro City Council unanimously approved a Fiber Optics Master Plan to guide expansion and increased utilization of the City’s fiber network.

Why NYC is investing millions in 5 cybersecurity programs - TechRepublic
Why NYC is investing millions in 5 cybersecurity programs - TechRepublic

New York City aims to become the mecca of cybersecurity innovation through Cyber NYC, a $30 million investment initiative focused on five key technology programs, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) announced on Tuesday.

Minneapolis releases final draft of 2040 comprehensive plan | Smart Cities Dive
Minneapolis releases final draft of 2040 comprehensive plan | Smart Cities Dive

Minneapolis has released the final draft of its comprehensive plan, Minneapolis 2040. The lengthy plan — about 500 pages — covers the city's governance over the next 20 years on topics including technology and innovation, infrastructure, transportation, housing and racial equity.

GOV, infrastructure, Smart Mobility, Transportation, TrendingHQsmart roads, New River Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization, Roanoke Valley, Smart Scale, Virginia Tech, VA