Lessons learned, Metro ponders TIGER II

If Metro wants federal funds for active transportation projects, they’ve got to adjust their approach.(Photo © J. Maus) With the US Department of Transportation’s announcement of TIGER II, a $600 million extension of the stimulus funded TIGER grant program, local active transportation advocates are considering another round of applications. Our regional Metropolitan Planning Organization, Metro, … Read more


N/NE Portland bikeway dream will soon come true (or be deferred)

Dar k blue = cycle tracks.(Graphic: Metro) U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced that funding decisions for their stimulus minded Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program will be made no later than February 17th. To refresh your memory, last fall Metro submitted a TIGER grant request for $98 million in active … Read more


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ODOT, TriMet will roll out I-205 path improvements

Project will improve lighting on I-205 path.(Photo © J. Maus) Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (a.k.a. the federal stimulus bill), the bike and pedestrian path that runs along Interstate 205 will be getting a $2.5 million makeover. Most of the money will go toward new lighting on a 3.6 mile stretch of … Read more


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ODOT/OTC release stimulus funds application, process details

“The OTC also recognizes the need to balance highway needs with other modal needs.”— From a statement released by ODOT today The Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC), acting on behalf of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), has announced the application process and more details on how they’ll allocate their remainder of federal stimulus funds. The … Read more


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Bike projects expected to compete better in next phase of stimulus funding

State transportation planners are scrambling to get their “shovel ready” projects in order and they’re waiting eagerly by their inboxes this morning. That’s because any day now, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is expected to release the application forms for what they’re calling “Phase II of the Federal Economic Stimulus”. I spoke with ODOT’s … Read more


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Group responds to ODOT/OTC stimulus decision: “What went wrong?”

“What went wrong?… The Transportation Commission got heavy pressure from pro-highway legislators, road builders, and Washington County and other local governments looking for road-building money.”— excerpt from a statement set to go out to supporters of Transportation for Oregon’s Future Transportation for Oregon’s Future — a “network of organizations and businesses supporting transportation choices for … Read more


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OTC delays funding decision, shows “cautious willingness” to consider non-highway projects

“[The OTC showed a] cautious willingness to consider the possibility that local bike, pedestrian and transit projects might just be as “shovel ready” as ODOT’s existing list.” — Bob Stacey, 1000 Friends of Oregon The Governor-appointed Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) was set to make a decision on how Oregon would spend it’s federal economic stimulus … Read more