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Oregon’s infrastructure is on track to become more environmentally friendly due to a recent grant of up to $31.9 million from the Federal Highway Administration.

Earlier this month, the federal Low-Carbon Transportation Materials program awarded the Oregon Department of Transportation () the grant to research and test ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with construction materials like concrete, asphalt and steel.

Justin Moderie, ODOT state construction and materials engineer, stated in a press release that improving production methods or adjusting the ingredients in a construction material, while still preserving its strength and life expectancy, will be a key part of their work.

鈥淢aterials like concrete, asphalt and steel are the backbone of our transportation system, so we’re looking at ways to make them better for the environment,鈥� Moderie stated in the press release.

Moderie stated that the grant will help ODOT work with academic experts and construction partners to advance the use of lower-emission materials while building and maintaining Oregon’s transportation infrastructure.

Producing construction materials and products generates nearly 15 percent of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

ODOT was one of 39 state departments of transportation to receive funding from the federal grant program.