Innovative Materials for America’s Growth and Infrastructure Newly Expanded Act of 2023

This bill encourages the research and use of innovative materials in U.S. transportation and water infrastructure projects. It establishes a federal task force to coordinate standards, creates innovation hubs for material research, expands a highway research center, and sets up grant programs for bridges and water infrastructure using advanced materials.

Sec. 3, Interagency Innovative Materials Standards Task Force: The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology must create a task force of federal agency heads to coordinate testing standards, design guidelines, regulations, and performance metrics for innovative materials in infrastructure. The task force must study barriers to using these materials and report to Congress within 18 months, then collaborate with non-federal entities to develop standards and plans.

Sec. 4, Innovative Material Innovation Hubs: The Secretary of Transportation must run a program awarding consortia of at least two qualifying entities to establish hubs for research, development, and commercial application of innovative materials. The selection process is competitive, considering geographic diversity and ability to lead. Hubs must publish plans, submit annual reports, and avoid conflicts of interest. Funds cannot be used for new building construction.

Sec. 5, Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center: This section expands the center's capacity to collaborate with state and tribal agencies on innovative materials, including developing training and prioritizing research on bridges over 50 feet, highway reconstruction, rural roads, standardized designs, and coastal resiliency. It authorizes $8 million per year from 2024 through 2028.

Sec. 6, Innovative Bridge Program: The Federal Highway Administration must create a grant program for state and local governments for coastal or rural bridge projects and value engineering. Eligible projects must use corrosion-resistant innovative materials that extend bridge life, include multimodal components, and reduce traffic impact. Preferences go to domestic materials, prefabrication, and retrofits. Special consideration is given to rural or flood-prone areas. $10 million per year is set aside for value engineering, and $65 million per year is authorized from 2024 through 2028.

Sec. 7, Water Infrastructure Innovation Program: The Environmental Protection Agency must create a grant program for water infrastructure projects (wastewater and drinking water systems) serving communities with populations between 3,301 and 99,999. Projects must use innovative materials resistant to degradation or extending service life. Preference is given to domestic materials, and special consideration to areas prone to saltwater intrusion or flooding. $65 million per year is authorized from 2024 through 2028.

Sec. 8, Innovative Project Delivery Federal Share: This section amends federal law to include innovative materials, prefabricated bridge elements, digital modeling, and innovative pavement materials that reduce greenhouse gas emissions as eligible for increased federal funding for infrastructure projects.