UNLV awarded funds to establish high-speed rail UTC

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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Xpress West

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), will establish a new University Transportation Center (UTC) to study rail infrastructure with funds from a federal grant.

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) announced the $1.4 million grant on Dec. 1 and said the Tier-1 UTC will improve rail infrastructure in Nevada and throughout the country.

“This is a huge win for UNLV, Nevada and the future of transportation in our country. UNLV’s transportation center will be a focal point of research, education and technology, and it will be critical in advancing high-speed rail and ensuring America has a modern, effective transportation system,” Sen. Reid said. “I have long promoted increasing rail transportation projects and that is why I worked hard to secure this funding. Improving transportation infrastructure is essential to boosting our economy, protecting the environment and reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil. I am pleased that UNLV will play a significant role in those efforts.”

UNLV will work with the University of Delaware and Virginia Tech to examine effective design, construction and maintenance of future high-speed rail projects. UNLV will focus on studying bridge building near areas of seismic activity, track alignment and rail foundations.

“Our nation’s deteriorating rail infrastructure is threatening our economy, security and safety,” Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV-1) said. “This consortium will reverse course by helping advance the development of high-speed rail projects that meet the demands of the 21st Century. With its longstanding rail program, UNLV is well positioned to galvanize high-speed railways in the desert Southwest and partner with academic institutions that have the common goal of deploying safe and innovative projects across the nation.”

Assoc. Professor Hualiang “Harry” Teng of UNLV’s Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering will lead the effort.

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