Don't miss your chance to comment on Connect Oregon 2021!

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Last Call! Register now for the Connect Oregon 2021 Public Meeting

 

April 18, 2022

SALEM – Rail, marine and air transportation projects are up for final funding consideration in the next round of the Connect Oregon multimodal transportation program. Some 49 applications requesting $126 million have come in, with approximately $46 million available to award. The Final Review Committee met on April 6 and 7 and agreed to a prioritized list of projects that they recommended be funded. The final decision will be made by the Oregon Transportation Commission. The list of potential projects to be funded, along with their initial rankings prior to deliberations by the Final Review Committee, are available on the program website.

Two important dates are approaching in the process:

  1. Feedback welcomed through April 25.

There are two ways to comment on the projects under consideration:

  • Join the online public hearing, 1 p.m. Wed., April 20. (Please note: the start time was changed to 1pm to allow more time for commenters).You must register to join this hearing by entering your contact information in this online form. The meeting will use Zoom, and instructions on using this tool will be provided to all who register. Registration to attend closes at 5 p.m., April 19.
  • Email comments to john.boren@odot.oregon.gov. Input must be received by close of business, Monday, April 25.

    NOTE: Anyone interested is invited to participate. Accommodations, such as material in alternate formats, are available. Please call 503-986-4188 or statewide relay at 711 to make your request.
  1. Oregon Transportation Commission to consider recommendation on May 12.

The OTC will review the staff supporting materials, the Final Review Committee rankings, and public comments received at the public hearing or in writing. The Commission may choose to select projects based upon the Final Review Committee recommendation in whole or in part at this meeting, or may choose to make a final decision on which projects to fund at their next regular meeting.

Background

The 2021 Connect Oregon process represents the seventh competitive cycle of the program. The last competitive cycle was CO VI in 2016. The program funds non-highway transportation projects in the rail, marine and aviation modes to support the economy, reduce congestion by moving freight off the highways and improve the strength and efficiency of the state’s transportation system.