Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that a total of $6,150,000 is heading to Polk, Wheeler, and Wasco counties for the development of safety action plans to improve road safety and to Metro for the identification of Safe Routes to School in Portland.
“Whether walking, driving, or biking, Oregonians in every corner of the state deserve safe streets and roads in their communities to get where they need to go,” said Merkley. “These investments will transform Oregon’s roadways in Polk, Wasco, and Wheeler counties, as well as the Portland metro area, into safer places for bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers. I will continue working to ensure every Oregonian can move about their daily lives conveniently, without fear of accident or injury.”
“Oregonians of all ages should be able to get in a car, hop on a bike or set out on foot for their destinations knowing the roads and streets they’re traveling on are safe,” said Wyden. “I’m glad these federal safety funds are heading to rural and urban communities in our state. And I’ll always battle to secure more resources just like these that improve the routes used for driving, bicycling and walking throughout Oregon.”
These plans will integrate equity and community engagement as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, which was created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The latest Safe Streets and Roads for All awards to Oregon can be found below:
- $2.4 million to Polk County Fire District 1 to develop a safety action plan and conduct planning and data collection focused on post-crash care. The project includes data analysis, vehicle notification and location, post-crash care delivery, a post-incident data system, an at-risk registry, and medical data share.
- $2.4 million to Wheeler County to develop a safety action plan and conduct planning and data collection focused on post-crash care. Additionally, Wheeler County will pilot an emergency vehicle transponder system to respond to crashes more efficiently.
- $1.11 million to Metro to identify ‘Safe Routes to School’ for students who walk and roll (bike) to school. The project supports three activity areas: adult-led support for students walking and rolling to school; creating safer environments for walking and rolling; and ensuring students have skills and tools to walk and roll to school.
- $240,000 to Wasco County to develop a Rural Roads Safety Action Plan to reduce roadway fatalities and injuries.
“We are thrilled to partner with the U.S. Department of Transportation to advance the vital goals of the Safe Streets and Roads for All program. This grant award provides a unique opportunity to invest in cutting-edge technologies and innovative programs that prioritize the safety of everyone who drives, walks, or works on our local roadways. In the coming months, we look forward to working closely with our regional partners to design and implement a comprehensive plan that enhances emergency response to roadway incidents while proactively reducing their frequency,” said Frank Ehrmantraut, Division Chief of EMS, Polk County Fire District No.1.
“Every child deserves a safe journey to school. This funding helps deliver that. By investing in safety demonstration projects and education, as well as annual adopt-a-bike events for children who might not otherwise be able to get a bike, this pilot program will provide extensive support at 7 schools in North Portland and will help our region for generations to come,” said Ashton Simpson, Metro Councilor.
This press release has been updated.
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