Center For Infrastructure Renewal Under Construction

By Priscilla Loebenberg

The decaying condition of much of the nation’s infrastructure is seen more and more in the headlines lately.

And while some might not be able to envision a day when the country can catch up with long-deferred repairs to aging bridges, roads and water systems; officials at the Texas A&M University system are shining a light on emerging methods and technologies that could provide a remedy.

Earlier this week, system leaders broke ground on the Center for Infrastructure Renewal at the new RELLIS campus in Bryan. The 138,000 square-foot research, testing and training facility is the first building under construction at the new 2,000-acre campus.

Researchers there will work in partnership with the university’s Engineering Experiment Station, Transportation Institute and the private sector to help solve critical infrastructure challenges.

“Traditional engineering solutions are not sufficient to keep up with the increasing need to invest in infrastructure,” said Bjorn Birgisson, director of the center.

“The challenge for the infrastructure research community is finding ways to accelerate new research through rapid translation of knowledge from one discipline to another, as well as ensuring that the results are expediently implemented into new innovation and applications.

The CIR will work to address the challenges our infrastructure faces in a forward-looking, cost-effective manner.”

The problem has been well defined. Government entities can’t keep up with the repairs needed to roads and bridges. The U.S. power grid is more than 130 years old and vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters – as are oil, gas and water systems.

A study by the American Society of Civil Engineers concluded deteriorating infrastructure has a cascading impact on our nation’s economy. It impacts business productivity, gross domestic product, employment, personal income and international competitiveness.

The solutions, said Birgisson, can be found through collaboration and innovation. At the Center for Infrastructure Renewal, multi-disciplinary teams will work together to develop and test durable and cost-effective materials and models that could provide the boost needed to transform America’s infrastructure.

Developing longer-lasting, sustainable materials that are more economical as well as better for the environment is just one project planned at the center.

Modeling rapid replacement systems for bridges is another. The center will also utilize experts in finance to make sure projects are economically feasible.

“The solutions that are going to be developed at the CIR will reduce costs and improve safety and durability at the same time,” said Birgisson.

”The CIR will make a positive impact on the State of Texas’ infrastructure by researching issues related to improved performance, longevity, sustainability, hazard resiliency, security and safety and procurement of our infrastructure.” 

This article originally published by Strategic Partnerships Inc.