WASHINGTON, D.C.–Last night, the U.S. Senate passed the Omnibus Appropriations Act for FY 2003 which includes funding for transportation projects. Senators Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) worked closely on the bill to obtain funding for numerous projects in Oregon.
"These transportation infrastructure projects will lead to very real improvements in quality of life for all Oregonians," said Smith. "From rural airports to buses, light-rail to highways, these projects will make Oregon a better, safer place to live."
"Financing transportation projects will provide a huge shot in the arm to Oregon's economy," said Wyden. "These projects will not only create jobs, but will improve the infrastructure Oregonians need to get to work and to get goods to market."
Below is a list of projects in Oregon being funded by the bill:
* $70 million for the Interstate MAX light rail transit extension project which will provide ten new stations and two park-and-ride lots accommodating approximately 600 motor vehicles while adding six miles to the transit system.
* Wilsonville to Beaverton Commuter Rail will also receive $5 million to begin construction on a five station commuter rail in Washington and Clackamas counties.
* $500,000 to expand and establish the Oregon Ways to Work loan program, which provides small loans of up to $3,000 for automobile purchase or repair to help low-income families access jobs, school and day care facilities.
* $1.5 million is allotted for the Portland Metropolitan Region Jobs Access Reverse Commute Program, which will help to create new services including carpool incentive programs, employer shuttles, rural shuttle services, bike racks and lockers and real-time information at bus stops.
* The Jackson-Josephine Job Access Reverse Commute Project will also receive $325,000 to connect welfare recipients and other low income persons to jobs, training and other employment related services.
* $6 million for the Lane Transit Bus Facility for station improvement, facility maintenance and bus purchase
* $5.5 million for the Terminal Air Traffic, Central Facilities (TRACON) in Portland
* $4 million for the I-5 Trade Corridor to complete a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in the I-5 corridor between Portland and Vancouver, Washington, which will assist in a strategy to address traffic congestion
* $3.8 million for the Umatilla Intermodal Facility to install a container crane which is needed to move the increased level of cargo traffic
* $3 million for the Sauvie Island Bridge to start work on the environmental phase of replacing the bridge
* $3 million for Tri-Met Buses in Portland to replace buses
* $2 million for Salem area mass transit buses
* $2 million for Highway 22 improvements in Polk County
* $2 million for the LaGrande Union County Airport for installation of a transponder landing system (TLS) which will allow for precision approaches and to reduce the number of bad-weather diversions
* $750,000 for the Eugene Federal Courthouse Area Concept Development
* $775,000 for the Newberg-Dundee Transportation Improvement Project for a study on determining the best answer to massive traffic on Highway 99 in Yamhill County, Oregon, between the cities of Newberg and Dundee
* $312,000 for the Maritime Fire and Safety Association
* $100,000 for 19th Street/Rimrock Way in Redmond to design and begin construction on a sidewalk that would aim to improve student pedestrian safety along this busy stretch of roadway.
The bill must now be considered by a joint House-Senate conference before being sent to the President for his signature.
