Whitehouse, Alexander, Rounds, Booker Introduce Imagine Act to Spur Use of Innovative Materials in Rebuilding American Infrastructure

Press Release

Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) have introduced the Innovative Materials for America's Growth and Infrastructure Newly Expanded (IMAGINE) Act, to encourage research and deployment of innovative construction materials in transportation and water infrastructure projects nationwide. Investing in these new techniques and materials would help to extend the life of critical public works that draw increasingly poor ratings for condition and performance.

The bill would take a number of steps to promote the use of advanced infrastructure materials. It would create a task force to examine standards and methods used to assess the federal government's approval of materials for infrastructure projects. It would promote research into new materials and building techniques. And it would spur federal investment in vital bridge and water infrastructure projects that utilize innovative materials, prioritizing coastal and rural projects.

"American innovators have come up with materials with the potential to make our roads, bridges, water systems, and other important infrastructure far more resilient and safe. Using these materials in our public works will pay off big for the communities that rely on them and for the American taxpayer," said Whitehouse, who has worked closely with Rhode Island's vibrant composites manufacturing industry to explore the range of applications for advanced materials in America's infrastructure. "I'm proud to join Senators Alexander, Rounds, and Booker to help drive investment in the next generation of materials to rebuild our nation's infrastructure."

"When I was governor, I proposed and Tennessee enacted three road programs, and our state's highway system is now one of the best in the country. Good roads and zero road debt have helped attract manufacturing jobs and raise family incomes," said Alexander. "Research universities and national laboratories are our country's "secret weapons' -- and this bill will help them develop new materials to improve our nation's roads and bridges so we can continue to create more good paying jobs."

"I strongly support investing in material research and the use of new technologies that can be used to improve our critical infrastructure," said Rounds. "As we continue to work toward a long-term infrastructure plan that enhances public safety, creates jobs and strengthens our economy, our bill will help pave the way for a stronger, safer and more cost effective infrastructure system."

The IMAGINE Act would encourage the development of materials such as high performance asphalt mixtures and concrete formulations, geo-synthetic materials, advanced alloys and metals, reinforced polymer composites, aggregate materials, and advanced polymers.