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U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Public Affairs, Washington, D.C., www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm - News

FHWA 37-11
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Contact: Nancy Singer
Tel: 202-366-0660

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $19.4 Million in Grants for Oregon Highway Projects

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/.

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Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000