The Arizona Department of Transportation, under the Brewer administration, opted to participate in a new federally funded pilot project that aims to underscore the role of climate change. The Climate Change and Extreme Weather Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Options pilot program is managed by the Federal Highway Administration.
A total of 19 agencies nationwide were selected to participate. ADOT’s 12-month study gets underway this week.
According to a statement release by ADOT, predicted climate trends such as long-term drought, punctuated by an increasing number of unusually intense storm events, are likely to result in a greater prevalence of floods, dust storms and wildfires that could overwhelm vulnerable infrastructure. By assessing Arizona’s critical transportation infrastructure, ADOT can set a course that will increase long-term resiliency, protect our state’s transportation infrastructure investment, and identify best practices for preparing for, responding to, and recovering from these events.
“This study allows ADOT to gain better awareness and a greater understanding of climate change on infrastructure,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski.
The federal pilot program is an opportunity for ADOT to take more federal money while forwarding the concept of climate change of the Obama administration.
The Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Environment, Planning and Realty and Office of Infrastructure are jointly sponsoring the pilot program.
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Government climate science versus reality – too much faith in models