Washington D.C. – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and
Ron Wyden announced today that nearly $8 million for infrastructure and job
creation throughout Oregon will be included in the Transportation, Housing and
Urban Development Senate Appropriations bill. Projects in the spending
bill will create construction and other jobs that come with replacing or
improving outdated bridges, improving traffic flow, protecting Southern
Oregon’s fishing industry and addressing traffic hazards that threaten public
safety.
Also included in the bill is over $74 million for the final
installment of the South Corridor Light Rail Project (MAX Green Line) in
Multnomah and Clackamas counties, scheduled to open September 12.
“Rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure is a win – win for
job creation and public safety,” said Merkley. “These funds will help create
jobs, repair our aging roads and bridges, alleviate traffic congestion and,
most importantly, keep our citizens safe.”
“To have a first-rate economy, you need a first-rate transportation system,”
Wyden said. “Improving roads, bridges, mass transit and other similar projects
helps create that high quality system along with high-paying, family-wage
construction jobs – the kinds of jobs we need to rebuild our economy.”
The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill must
still pass the full Senate, merge with the House bill, and be signed into law
by the President before funds become available.
Projects in the Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development Appropriations bill include:
Columbia River Crossing – $2,000,000
Funds will be used to reduce
congestion, promote safety, and increase accessibility for drivers, transit,
cyclists, and pedestrians.
Sellwood Bridge (Multnomah County)
Replacement Project – $1,300,000
Funds will be used for the final
design of a new bridge across the Willamette River in Southeast Portland.
Redmond 5th and 6th Street
Construction – $800,000
Funds will be used to remove and
replace degraded pavement, curbs, and sidewalks.
U.S. Highway 97 and J Street
Intersection Project in Madras – $700,000
Funds will be used to ensure a safe
and efficient flow of interstate traffic through the intersection.
Pendleton Round-Up Facilities –
$500,000
Funds will be used to improve
facilities for the rodeo, which generates over $20 million annually for the
county.
Newberg-Dundee Transportation
Project – $400,000
Funds will be used to reduce
congestion by routing traffic flow away from the downtown area.
Port of Coos Bay Dock Equipment –
$350,000
Funds will be used to purchase new
dock equipment for commercial fishing vessels critical to the local economy.
Albany 53rd Avenue Bridge and
Roadway Extension Project – $300,000
Funds will be used for roadway
extension to reduce traffic and increase public safety.
Klamath Falls Brett Way Extension –
$300,000
Funds will be used to extend Brett
Way and create a new intersection to improve public safety.
Hines Street Rehabilitation Project
– $300,000
Funds will be used to repair
degraded streets in the city of Hines.
Ontario Railroad Underpass
Rehabilitation and Reconstruction – $300,000
Funds will be used to redesign and
reconstruct an underpass.
Corvallis Highway 99 widening
project – $300,000
Funds will be used to widen Highway
99 to increase public safety.
Moro 4th Street Improvement Project
– $126,076
Funds will be used to widen 4th
street and include paved shoulders, curb and gutters, and improve drainage.
Silverton Senior and Disabled
Transportation Service – $39,429
Funds will be used to purchase an
ADA accessible van, reducing maintenance and operating costs.
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