High quality transportation infrastructure is absolutely critical to the success of Oregon's economy, as transportation can dictate the rate at which businesses can not only operate, but the rate at which they expand. To this end, the state is adding more international cargo flights, increasing the budget for state highway improvement projects, and revamping the Oregon Department of Transportation to more efficiently manage bridge and road improvements. The legislature is also embracing public-private partnerships, and pursuing the most innovative and progressive solutions to Oregon's growing transportation challenges
Goal: Enhance Oregon's Transportation Infrastructure
Improved International Air Service. With the support of the business community, Portland International Airport secured four new non-stop international flights to China/Asia via Air China Cargo; to Europe via Lufthansa; to Japan/Asia via Northwest Airlines; and to Mexico, via Mexicana Airlines.
Increased State Highway Funding. The 2003 Legislature passed the Oregon Transportation Investment Act 3 - a $2.5 billion package for repair or replacement of city, county and state roads and bridges on Oregon’s key freight transportation corridors. It also funded strategic freight capacity on the state’s road system and increased funding for local government road and street maintenance and operation.
Increased Federal Highway Funding. Congress passed the surface transportation program re-authorization act, known as SAFETEA-LU, in 2005. SAFETEA-LU increased the amount of federal highway funding Oregon will receive through 2009 by more than half a billion dollars. Oregon has left behind its status as a net donor to the federal Highway Trust Fund and will receive more than it pays in.
Secured Federal Funding for Critical Projects: In 2005, Congress appropriated more than $100million for Oregon highway projects, including six of the eight projects of statewide significance identified in the Statewide Transportation Investment Plan and eight of nine projects identified by the Oregon Transportation Commission.
Revamped ODOT. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) hired Oregon Bridge Delivery Partners to manage the development and delivery of $1.3 billion in state bridges on the interstates and other major freight routes. This allowed ODOT to deliver the bridge and highway improvements without additional staff, changing its business model from in-house project delivery to strategic management of Oregon’s transportation system.
Columbia Channel Deepening. Deepening of the Columbia River navigation channel to 43 feet will allow farmers and businesses in the Pacific Northwest to compete in overseas markets. Congress appropriated $9 million in the Fiscal Year 2005 budget for the first year of actual dredging and associated ecosystem restoration. In Fiscal Year 2006, Congress appropriated an additional $15 million. By the end of calendar year 2005, about 25 per cent of the navigation channel will be deepened to 43 feet.
Engage in Public-Private Partnerships. In 2003, the state adopted legislation to establish a new tool—an innovative partnership program within ODOT. Experiments in public-private partnerships to build or enhance transportation systems are being developed worldwide. Administrative rules have been adopted and ODOT is negotiating with a major firm selected in its first “Request for Interest.”
Launch Mileage Fee Pilot. The Road User Fee Task Force, created by the 2001 Legislature to examine alternatives to fuel taxes, is embarking on the next stage of its program to demonstrate how mileage-based fees might work in practice. Other states have shown interest in Oregon’s efforts to move the program from the theoretical to the practical.
Multi-Modal Investments. In 2005, the Legislature passed “Connect Oregon” which designated $100 million to fund critical non-road multi-modal transportation initiatives that will improve the flow of commerce. Investments will focus on rail, transit, aviation and marine projects. Decisions on projects to be funded under this program will occur in 2006. The 2007 legislature passed "Connect Oregon II."