AtkinsRealis Selected as Lead Consultant for First Cross-Country Digital Infrastructure Corridor

Executive Summary

• AtkinsRéalis has been selected by the Nevada Department of Transportation and the I‑80 Corridor Coalition to serve as lead consultant for the USDOT SMART Grant “I‑80 Enhancing Corridor Communications Roadmap” project.
• The initiative will create a cross‑country digital infrastructure corridor spanning ~2,900 mi from California to New Jersey, linking 11 state DOTs and three toll agencies for real‑time data exchange.
• The engagement will be delivered in three stages—stakeholder alignment & data gap analysis, system design, and pilot build/testing—to produce a scalable prototype for nationwide corridor digitalization.

Key Details

• Contract Scope: Lead consulting services for the SMART Grant I‑80 Corridor Communications Roadmap Project, the first U.S. cross‑country digital infrastructure corridor.
• Geographic Reach: Approximately 2,900 miles covering California to New Jersey; involves 11 state Departments of Transportation and three toll agencies.
• Project Phases:
  1. Stakeholder alignment & data gap identification.
  2. System design and definition of cross‑state operational framework.
  3. Pilot construction, testing, and delivery of a working prototype and scalable plan.
• Strategic Objectives: Enable real‑time data exchange, improve emergency response, enhance traffic management, optimize freight movement, and provide a replicable model for future corridors (e.g., I‑35, I‑10, I‑15).
• Key Stakeholders & Quotes:
• Brad Dennard, SVP, DOT Business Unit Director US – highlighted the roadmap as a blueprint for safer, smarter infrastructure.
• Tracy Larkin Thomason, NDOT Director – emphasized the project’s role as a prototype for future national initiatives.
• Atefeh Abad, Deputy Project Manager – noted the collaborative approach and technical expertise driving the effort.
• Consortium Formation: AtkinsRéalis will assemble a consortium of technology advisors to provide strategic and technical guidance throughout the project.

Notable Quotes

“The I‑80 Corridor roadmap is more than a technology initiative, it's a blueprint for how states can work together to build safer, smarter, and more resilient infrastructure.” – Brad Dennard, Senior Vice President, DOT Business Unit Director US, Roads Global Market Lead, AtkinsRéalis

“We look forward to advancing the vision of digital infrastructure and data sharing along the I‑80 corridor… it will serve as a prototype for future initiatives such as I‑35, I‑10, and I‑15.” – Tracy Larkin Thomason, Nevada Department of Transportation Director

Prepared based on the provided press release.