In Smart City Challenge, Portland was Smart But Not as Smart as Columbus

It would have brought $40 million to Portland to help build a high-tech street grid.

Instead, that money will be going to Columbus.

The United States Department of Transportation Tuesday chose the Ohio city as the winner of its first "Smart City Challenge" grant.

The department hasn't yet made the official announcement but Ohio Senator Ron Portman released a statement congratulating the city.

According to the department, the grant is intended to go to the city that will help define what it means to be a 'Smart City' and become the country’s first city to fully integrate innovative technologies – self-driving cars, connected vehicles, and smart sensors – into their transportation network."

Along with the $40 million, Portland Trailblazers Owner Paul Allen's Vulcan Inc has promised up to another $10 million to promote use of electric cars.

Besides Portland, Columbus beat out Austin, Denver, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco.