Portland Area to Receive Millions For Road Improvements
Wyden, Smith Announce Funding For Area Transportation Projects

June 11, 2003

WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senators Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden announced that Portland metropolitan area transportation projects will receive over 5 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The funds will be awarded to the following projects:
• $1,987,000 for the Sauvie Island Bridge
• $3,500,000 for the I-5 Trade Corridor Environmental Impact Statement

“Improving our road ways promotes Oregon commerce and livability,” said Smith. “Many of Oregon’s highways and bridges are in desperate need of rehabilitation, and these funds are a significant step in the right direction.”

“This funding paves the way towards creating better, safer and less congested roads in Oregon, while also benefiting the state’s economy,” said Wyden.

The funds awarded to the Sauvie Island Bridge will be used to begin work on the environmental phase of replacing the bridge. The environmental phase includes in-depth impact study and marks the beginning of a major construction project to replace the bridge.

Funding for the I-5 Trade Corridor Environmental Impact Statement will be used to address traffic congestion along the corridor.