The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has been awarded a $32m grant to promote the use of low-carbon materials in construction projects.  

The funding, provided by the US Federal Highway Administration, stems from the Low-Carbon Transportation Materials Grants programme under the Inflation Reduction Act. 

New York governor Kathy Hochul said: “Whether it’s droughts, wildfires or record-breaking snowstorms, New Yorkers are feeling the effects of climate change in their daily lives, and these low-carbon grants are an important tool in our efforts to stop it.

“This funding from the Biden-Harris Administration will help us use cleaner materials in our transportation projects, which will reduce the amount of greenhouse gases [GHGs] that are released into the atmosphere and advance our battle against climate change.” 

The grant aims to facilitate NYSDOT's efforts in several key areas.  

These include the development and delivery of outreach and training for both agency staff and industry stakeholders, ensuring that the adoption of low-carbon materials does not compromise technical and performance standards.  

Additionally, NYSDOT will update its technical specifications to incorporate materials and strategies that yield lower embodied carbon. 

NYSDOT commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said: “Governor Kathy Hochul has made it clear that the fight against global warming demands that we leave no stone unturned in our efforts to find solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector.  

“Embodied carbon is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and these federal funds will help NYSDOT continue to lead the way in identifying and utilising more climate-friendly materials so we can safeguard our environment for future generations.” 

This strategic move aligns with NYSDOT’s commitment to sustainability and reducing the environmental footprint of construction activities across the state. 

Earlier in August 2024, NYSDOT appointed AECOM as the lead designer for the replacement of two bridges along the Bronx River Parkway, US.