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
KCMO advancing its smart city action plan with focus on digital equity in urban tech
KCMO advancing its smart city action plan with focus on digital equity in urban tech

Kansas City is one step closer to being a fully connected hub for urban tech, as local decision makers craft a smart city action plan.

White House Updates National Artificial Intelligence Strategy [NextGov]
White House Updates National Artificial Intelligence Strategy [NextGov]

Three years after the release of the initial National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan, the Trump administration issued an update Friday, bringing forward the original seven focus areas and adding an eighth: public-private partnerships.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Announces Launch of Council to Support Emerging Transportation Technology
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Announces Launch of Council to Support Emerging Transportation Technology

The new council will identify and resolve jurisdictional and regulatory gaps that may impede the deployment of new technology, such as tunneling, hyperloop, autonomous vehicles, and other innovations.

Considering a State Bank for Local Governments
Considering a State Bank for Local Governments

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Lawmakers and researchers have been taking a fresh look here at creating a public bank, specifically to provide state agencies and local governments with improved access to infrastructure financing and other financial services.

Government Needs An ‘Ethical Framework’ to Tackle Emerging Technology
Government Needs An ‘Ethical Framework’ to Tackle Emerging Technology

At SXSW, a beacon of technology idealism, mayors discuss how to deal with the difficult problems that can come with new tech.

It's time to address the standards, risks and norms of investing for impact
It's time to address the standards, risks and norms of investing for impact

While there are some challenges that both investors and businesses face in creating a net positive impact, there are still ways in which we can ensure that investments are positively impacting society.

Complimentary smart city conference registration for public agency officials - ARC Annual Forum (February 4-7 in Orlando)
Complimentary smart city conference registration for public agency officials - ARC Annual Forum (February 4-7 in Orlando)

Join leaders from Venture Smarter, IEEE Smart Cities and more at the 23rd Annual ARC Industry Forum in Orlando, Florida to explore how digitizing factories, cities, and infrastructure will benefit technology end users and suppliers alike.  Here are some top reasons for you to attend!

Opp Zone leaders eager to activate P3 infrastructure projects
Opp Zone leaders eager to activate P3 infrastructure projects

This January, we were happy to co-host the U.S. Opportunity Zone Expo in partnership with the US Dept. of Treasury and the National Infrastructure and Investment Alliance (NIIA). Here are a few takeaways from Venture Smarter’s SVP of Governance and Policy, Rhonda Binda.

Key industry events to attend in February
Key industry events to attend in February

Join Venture Smarter and our partners at one or more of these events to connect with industry insiders, practitioners, solution partners, and project planners working to build better places to live, work, and visit. 

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

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