U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $19.4 Million in Grants for Oregon Highway Projects |
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Topics: Ray LaHood
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Federal Highway Administration
17 August 2011
FHWA 37-11
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Contact: Nancy Singer
Tel: 202-366-0660
Funds will help create jobs by expanding highway and bridge improvements throughout the state
WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced more than $19.4 million in grants for Oregon to fund an array of highway-related efforts, including advancing the I-5 Columbia River Crossing project and making upgrades on the I-5/Kuebler Boulevard interchange in Marion County.
"Transportation investments like these will create jobs and improve the quality of life for Oregon residents as well as strengthen the state's economy," said Secretary LaHood. "The demand from the states for these funds shows just how critical the need is for infrastructure investment."
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) invited states to apply in June for federal funding from 14 grant programs. Requests poured in from every state, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. - more than 1,800 applications, totaling nearly $13 billion, which is more than 30 times the funds available.
"At a time when states are facing serious budgetary constraints, these grants will help fill a critical need," said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. "Investments like these are immediate and long-lasting and will help create jobs."
Congress created the discretionary grant programs to give FHWA the latitude to support projects that maintain the nation's roads and bridges, improve roadway safety and make communities more livable. In previous years, Congress designated some of this grant money for specific projects and FHWA awarded the remainder through a competitive process. Because the FY11 budget passed by Congress last April directed that all such funds be discretionary, FHWA awarded these funds through a competitive process.
Oregon received funding for the following projects:
| PROJECT | AWARD |
|---|---|
| Improving southbound ramp to I-5 Kuebler Interchange in Marion County | $3,625,000 |
| Developing I-5 Columbia River Crossing project | $3,000,000 |
| Constructing a 1.6-mile, 12-foot-wide, multiuse, ADA-accessible trail through the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail to improve access for bicycles and pedestrians | $2,109,000 |
| Constructing multi-use path to connect the Lava Lands Visitors’ Center, located at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, to Sunriver | $1,877,000 |
| Constructing Westport Ferry Landing in Clatsop County | $1,830,000 |
| Improving access on US 20/Cascade Avenue by upgrading pavement and reconstructing sidewalks | $1,660,606 |
| Constructing Welcome Station at Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway | $1,039,040 |
| Making safety improvements to US 26 Mill Creek Jefferson County Line | $923,000 |
| Replacing the roof and making other improvements to the Rochester Covered Bridge | $845,985 |
| Constructing Division Street Corridor “Complete Street” multiuse paths and sidewalks | $832,640 |
| Repairing roof and surface of the Larwood Covered Bridge as well as installing a vandalism protection system | $708,428 |
| Constructing a trail and installing signs on Pacific Coast Scenic Byway | $412,930 |
| Replacing damaged sections of the Belknap Covered Bridge | $390,230 |
| Replacing the roof and siding of the Grave Creek Covered Bridge | $92,545 |
| Developing rest area plans and installing signs along Historic Columbia River Highway | $72,000 |
| Repairing the roof and siding of the Pass Creek Covered Bridge | $62,922 |
| TOTAL | $19,481,326 |
A complete state-by-state list of this year's grant recipients is available online at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1137/.