The Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) announced Wednesday that it allocated $412 million of federal funding toward the state’s transportation infrastructure.
The announcement covers a portion of the $1.2 billion in additional transportation funding the state will receive over the next few years from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Previously, the state had announced that about $800 million of that money would be directed to infrastructure spending, including $268 million for bridges, $52 million for EV charging network infrastructure, and $200 million for public transit, among other things. The remaining $412 million was not specifically allocated at that time.
Wednesday, the OTC announced it would direct that remaining funding to make the state’s roads, streets, and walkways safer and easier to use.
“With today’s decisions, the Oregon Transportation Commission has directed investments that address some of the critical needs of our transportation system while also approving expenditures in areas focused on a more equitable, safe, resilient, and sustainable transportation system, “ said OTC Chair Robert Van Brocklin. “We are grateful to our federal delegation for securing this funding. This isn’t the end of the conversation by any means. We’ll need additional funding to truly build a network that delivers greater safety and resiliency, supports a strong economy, and protects our livability and natural environment. Our actions today are an important step toward reaching that goal.”
Included in the allocations were $95 million for improving access for individuals with disabilities, $30 million to fund Safe Routes to Schools projects that make it safer for children to walk or roll to school, $75 million to repair damaged and unsafe roadways in Oregon, $50 million for community main streets, $50 million to complete several highway and interchange improvements to streamline the movement of goods and $40 million in matching funds to help the state compete for federal grant opportunities.