Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 1, 1993 TAG: 9310010071
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Tech was one of three universities selected by the Federal Highway Administration as a Research Center of Excellence, according to a news release from U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon.
"We're very proud to be selected," said Antoine Hobeika, director of the Center for Transportation.
The grant, to be distributed equally over the next three years, will double the center's budget. Hobeika expects his staff to grow from 34 to 50 researchers.
Hobeika said he expects the grant to be extended two years and total $5 million.
He said about half of the money will be used on research for the six-mile road that supporters believe will spark economic development in Southwest Virginia.
The road as proposed will be outfitted with fiber optics, sensors and other Intelligent Vehicle/Highway Systems devices that will provide drivers with traffic information.
"IVHS is an important component of current and future national transportation board programs and Southwest Virginia - partly through Virginia Tech's leadership - is emerging as a showcase," Boucher said.
Congress has approved $5.9 million for research and planning for the road, which is still years away from completion. The first two lanes of the project are expected to cost $50 million. The state hasn't committed funds for construction.
The two other universities selected for Research Center for Excellence awards were the University of Michigan and Texas A&M.
by CNB