Corridor Trail is up for funding
consideration.
(Photo © J. Maus)
The Oregon Department of Transportation is seeking comments on their list of projects eligible for funding through the federal Transportation Enhancements (TE) program.
The TE program provides federal highway funds for projects that, “strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, or environmental value of our transportation system.” The program is meant to fund “special or additional activities” not normally required on a highway or transportation project. So far, the state of Oregon has funded more than 150 projects for a total of $63 million.
The time around, there are eight projects listed in the Portland region. They include a $1.5 million project applied for by Metro that would build a new bridge on the Willamette Greenway Trail connecting Pier Park to Chimney Park over N. Terminal Road in St. Johns and a $2.8 million PDOT project that would put bike lanes and a sidewalk on SW Vermont and Chestnut streets between Terwilliger and SW 37th.
Other projects under consideration are $1.2 million for an extension of the Springwater Corridor Trail in Boring and $650,000 for bike lanes on Highway 101 in Depoe Bay.
Comments are needed to help ODOT determine which projects advance to the next phase of evaluation and selection and they will impact how each project is ultimately scored. The comment period began on August 1 and runs through September 15.
ODOT has set up a special online survey form to gather your comments. You can learn more about the TE program and find a link to the survey and complete list of projects under consideration at the Transportation Enhancements website.