July 27, 2005

Wyden, Smith Secure Approval for $115 Million in Oregon Projects in Final Highway Bill

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) today announced the authorization of $115 million for Oregon transportation projects in the conference report for the Transportation Equity Act of 2005. That legislation reauthorizes the Federal-aid surface transportation program, which includes Federally aided highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs. The Senate's version of the "highway bill" was approved in May and has now been reconciled with the House version of the legislation. The bill including the Oregon projects is expected to be given final Congressional approval this week and sent to the President for signature into law. "Dollar for dollar, transportation funding is one of the best economic investments the Federal government can make in Oregon communities. These highway and transit projects will create good, living-wage jobs and at the same time build the infrastructure our economy will need to stay strong," said Wyden. "Efficient transportation infrastructure is crucial to Oregon's economy," Smith said. "From I-5 to Main Street we are improving our roadways and financing community development." Following is a list of Oregon funding authorized by the highway bill: • $16 million in Clackamas County for the Sunrise Corridor • $15 million for purchase of right of way, planning and design and construction of a highway in Newberg • $10 million for a I-5/99W connector in Washington County • $9 million to add a southbound lane to a section of I-5 through Portland between Delta Park and Lombard • $8.4 million to reroute U.S. 97 at Redmond and improve intersection of U.S. 97 and Oregon 126 • $5 million for Highway 20 improvements from Pioneer Mountain to Eddyville • $5 million for upgrading the I-5 Fern Valley interchange at Exit 24 in Medford • $5 million in Multnomah County for the Sellwood Bridge • $3.9 million in Umatilla County for Barnhart Road Extension • $3.8 million in Portland for construction of highway and pedestrian access to Macadam Avenue and street improvements • $3.5 million for improvements to U.S. 97 from Modoc Point to Algoma • $3.4 million for construction of I-84 and US 395 Stanfield interchange improvement project • $3 million for Beaverton Hillsdale/Scholls Ferry/Olenson Road • $2 million for the I-5 Trade Corridor Portland to Vancouver segment • $2 million to construct sidewalks and improve storm drainage and gutters for the Safe Walk Plan in Medford • $1.8 million for Oregon riverfront access in The Dalles • $1.7 million for Highway 22 improvements in Polk County • $1.7 million for Highway 140 transportation improvements in Lake County • $1.6 million for Highway 22-Cascade Highway interchange improvements in Marion County • $1.5 million for Phase One I-205/Highway 213 Interchange improvements • $1.4 million for widening I-205 in Clackamas County • $1.3 million in Wilsonville to construct Barber Street extension • $1 million for Cascade Locks Southbank Enhancements in Cascade Locks • $1 million for transportation improvements around the Federal Courthouse in Eugene • $1 million for the Troutdale Interchange at I-84 • $1 million for improvements to I-205 at Airport Way • $1 million for I-5 interchange in Coburg • $1 million for widening Oregon Highway 217 between Tualatin Valley Highway and the U.S. 26 interchange in Beaverton • $700,000 in Yamhill County for P&W Rehabilitation Project • $500,000 for Highway 101 improvements • $500,000 in Hood River for Frontage Road crossing project • $500,000 for Kuebler Boulevard improvements in Salem • $400,000 for Marine Park underpass to address necessary improvements in the Cascade Locks • $400,000 for the I-5 Franklin-Glenwood Interchange Study