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Governor Nathan Deal - Georgia’s 82nd Governor (2011-2019)

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Home » Press Releases » Deal: Feds select Georgia Tech for transportation research center

Deal: Feds select Georgia Tech for transportation research center

January 20, 2012

Gov. Nathan Deal, joined by U.S. Rep John Lewis, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby and Georgia Tech President Bud Peterson, today announced that Georgia Tech has been designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation as one of 10 National Tier One university transportation centers. The Georgia Tech UTC will focus on important transportation issues throughout the region and nationwide such as highway safety and how the transportation network impacts economic competiveness.

“Georgia Tech is uniquely qualified to lead the University Transportation Center,” Deal said. “It is home to one of the largest and most accomplished transportation and logistics research programs in the country  and is responsible for many of the strategic improvements that have been made to Georgia’s infrastructure.

“I want to congratulate Dr. Peterson, his team and all of those standing with me today who played a role in this important project. Today represents a positive step toward addressing the infrastructure issues we face. This work will help to ensure that we have the transportation network Georgia needs to move people and products efficiently, to remain competitive and to create jobs.”

Funded by a $3.5 million federal grant and an additional $3.5 million in matching funds from various state transportation departments, the Woodruff Foundation and others for the first two years, the UTC will bring together a conglomerate of universities in Georgia, Florida and Alabama. These universities include the University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Southern University, Southern Polytechnic State University, Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Florida International University and the University of Central Florida.

Additional funding for the UTC will come from the Georgia DOT, the Woodruff Foundation and university partners. Future support will come through government, private and corporate resources.

The purpose of the UTC is to advance U.S. technology and expertise in the many disciplines comprising transportation through research, education and technology transfer as well as provide a critical transportation knowledge base outside the U.S. DOT and address vital workforce needs for the next generation of transportation leaders.