Atkinsrealis to be lead consultant for I-80 corridor

Executive Summary

• Atkinsrealis Group Inc. has been selected as the lead consultant for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s SMART grant project to create the first cross-country digital infrastructure corridor along Interstate 80.
• The project spans 2,900 miles from California to New Jersey, connecting 11 state departments of transportation and three toll agencies to enable real-time data exchange and interoperable platforms.
• Atkinsrealis will lead a consortium to complete the project in three stages: stakeholder alignment, system design, and pilot testing, aiming to establish a scalable model for future national corridors.

Key Details

• Client/Partner: Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the Interstate 80 (I-80) Corridor Coalition.
• Funding Source: U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) SMART grant (Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation).
• Project Scope: Creation of the "I-80 enhancing corridor communications road map," described as the first cross-country digital infrastructure corridor in the United States.
• Geographic Reach: Spans 2,900 miles from California to New Jersey.
• Stakeholders Involved: 11 state departments of transportation and three toll agencies.
• Project Objectives:
  • Enable real-time data exchange across jurisdictions.
  • Modernize transportation systems through interoperable platforms, standardized reporting, and collaborative data governance.
  • Improve emergency response, traffic management coordination, and infrastructure investment planning.
  • Strengthen economic resilience by reducing disruptions and improving freight movement.
• Implementation Timeline/Structure: The project will be completed in three stages:
  1. Aligning stakeholders and identifying data gaps.
  2. Designing the system and defining cross-state operations.
  3. Building and testing a pilot version, culminating in a scalable plan and working prototype.
• Strategic Impact: The project aims to serve as a prototype for future initiatives on other corridors, including I-35, I-10, and I-15, laying groundwork for coast-to-coast digital infrastructure.
• Consortium: Atkinsrealis is assembling a consortium of top technology advisers to provide strategic insights and technical guidance.

Notable Quotes

• Brad Dennard, Senior Vice-President, DOT Business Unit Director, U.S., Roads Global Market Lead at Atkinsrealis: "The I-80 corridor road map is more than a technology initiative, it's a blueprint for how states can work together to build safer, smarter and more resilient infrastructure... By aligning with federal priorities and enabling real-time co-ordination across jurisdictions, this project sets a new standard for national corridor collaboration."
• Tracy Larkin Thomason, Director, Nevada Department of Transportation: "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, laying the groundwork for scalable, resilient digital infrastructure corridors from coast-to-coast."
• Atefeh Abad, Deputy Project Manager and Project Director, DOT Business Unit at Atkinsrealis: "This project shows how collaboration across agencies and industries can create a national model for smarter, safer transportation... We're proud to lead this effort, bringing together trusted partnerships, creative problem solving and deep technical expertise to help make the I-80 corridor vision a reality."