| News Release |
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| ODOT News |
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Transportation groups seek funding from ConnectOregon program
Dec. 18, 2007
For more information, contact Shelley Snow (503) 986-3438 or Sally Ridenour (503) 986-3359
The Oregon Department of Transportation has received 78 applications for the $100 million multimodal transportation funding program, ConnectOregon. Approved by the 2005 and 2007 Oregon Legislatures, ConnectOregon provides funds for transportation projects that improve the connections between the highway system and other modes of transportation. Requests totaled more than $214 million and range from repairing flood-damaged railroad tracks to expanding airport landing strips.
This second authorization of ConnectOregon, also known as ConnectOregon II, will build on the success of the first program and will fund non-highway projects, such as those involving rail, marine, aviation and public transit. Below is a summary of the applications received:
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ConnectOregon II Application Summary
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Region Designator
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Count
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$ Requested
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Region 1
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19
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$60,415,438.40
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Region 2
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26
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$55,611,204.00
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Region 3
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4
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$11,904,000.00
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Region 4
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15
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$38,493,432.80
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Region 5
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14
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$48,390,749.20
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Total
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78
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$214,814,824.40
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Modal Designator
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Count
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$ Requested
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Aviation
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22
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$56,091,311.20
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Marine
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6
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$11,062,080.00
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Rail
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32
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$109,727,311.60
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Transit
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11
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$15,020,991.20
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Multimodal
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7
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$22,913,130.40
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Total
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78
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$214,814,824.40
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"Investing in Oregon’s transportation system is one of my top priorities and I'm pleased that applications have been received from almost every corner of Oregon for ConnectOregon II dollars,” said Governor Kulongoski. “It is vital that we make these investments all across Oregon to maintain our quality of life and economic competitiveness."
The applications are currently being screened for completeness and technical feasibility. They will then be reviewed by modal advisory committees (air, rail, freight and public transit), regional committees (Area Commissions on Transportation) and a “Final Review Committee” consisting of representatives from both modal and regional committees.
The committee review process will begin on Jan. 17 and is expected to be completed by May. The Final Review Committee will prioritize all the projects and create one draft list of projects for the Oregon Transportation Commission to consider at a public hearing in the summer of 2008.
A lottery-bond-based initiative, ConnectOregon includes both grants and loans for private sector applicants, municipalities, cities, counties, governing organizations, and other transportation-related entities. In the first ConnectOregon program, 38 projects are moving forward, ranging from airport enhancements to railroad upgrades. Currently, three of those projects are complete and 15 others are in construction; the remainder are in the design or other initial phase. Both ConnectOregon I and II are fast-tracked programs seeking to boost the economy quickly with long-ranging positive impacts.
More information, including a list of applications, review process details and timeline is available on the ConnectOregon Web site.
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