LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has been awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, ARDOT announced Friday morning.
The grant comes as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment Demonstration Program.
ARDOT says they plan to use the grant funding to purchase new Lane Blade devices. Lane Blade devices are vehicle attachments that aid in safe and efficient debris removal from highways.
Officials say that Lane Blade devices enhance safety on high-volume roadways by ensuring workers do not have to enter the roadway on foot to remove the debris.
ARDOT officials plan to acquire 20-25 new Lane Blade devices with the grant. This will provide the Department with the largest fleet of these devices in the country.
The Department currently has 18 Lane Blade devices. The expanded fleet will extend its capabilities across every district in the state.
“Debris on our roadways presents an immediate danger to travelers, especially on busy highways,” said Steve Frisbee, ARDOT Assistant Chief Engineer for Maintenance. “Our goal is to find safer methods of debris removal that protect both our employees and the public. The Lane Blade allows us to do just that by keeping our crews inside their vehicles while effectively clearing the roads.”
“Safety is our number one priority at ARDOT; it’s at the foundation of everything we do,” said ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor. “I’m proud ARDOT’s innovation in this area was recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and I’m proud that we will now be a leading state in debris removal using Lane Blades.”
CLICK HERE for more information on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment Demonstration Program
CLICK HERE to see how lane blades work.
