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| Transportation investments paying off statewide |
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For the first time, Oregon’s investment in transportation throughout the state has topped the $1 billion mark. As of May 2006, the Oregon Department of Transportation’s portfolio of active construction projects stood at 122 with a combined worth of $1,037,088,036. This includes projects from the Oregon Transportation Investment Act and the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. These investments are helping keep people and goods moving safely and efficiently, while supporting the local economies of communities large and small.
Here’s a summary of OTIA III state bridge projects as of March 2006:
| OTIA III Bridges: Design Summary |
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| Bridges with design phase complete |
65 |
| Bridges in design |
77 |
| Bridges to start design in 2006 |
93 |
| Bridges to start design in 2007 |
34 |
| Bridges to start design in 2008 |
20 |
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| OTIA III Bridges: Construction Summary |
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| Bridges with construction complete |
19 |
| Bridges open to traffic |
17 |
| Bridges in construction |
45 |
| Bridges to start construction in 2006 |
35 |
| Bridges to start construction in 2007 |
104 |
| Bridges to start construction in 2008 |
63 |
| Bridges to start construction in 2009 |
6 |
Here are some highlights regarding the economic impacts of OTIA III:
- In March, Oregon Bridge Delivery Partners, ODOT’s program management firm, paid nearly $3.2 million to businesses for bridge program work, with nearly 99 percent going to Oregon firms.
- The bridge program generated just over $841,000 in tax revenue for the state and local governments in February 2006.
- In February, jobs grew by nearly 800 overall as spending on both design and construction increased. The program sustained just over 600 more jobs in February 2006 than it did the year before.
- The bridge program resulted in 936 direct jobs and 1,157 indirect and induced jobs (supply and support positions not directly tied to actual construction, and jobs created when workers spend their paychecks).
The state’s earlier investments in transportation (OTIA I and II) also continue to contribute to our economy.
OTIA I & II: Summary
| Projects Completed |
107 |
| Projects in Design |
10 |
| Projects in Construction |
39 |
| Projects for Design Work Only |
5 |
| Projects for Right Of Way Only |
7 |
For the latest information on state highway projects, OTIA and other transportation investments, visit www.oregon. gov/ODOT.
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| Vital bridge reopens in Grants Pass |
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The 7th Street Bridge in Grants Pass has re-opened — complete with a new microsilica concrete deck and enhanced safety rail. The improvements are part of a $3.3 million project that also includes rehabilitating pavement on 6th and 7th Streets, south of the Rogue River Bridges. This was the first major improvement of the 7th Street Bridge since it was first built in 1960.
"We still have a lot of work ahead of us," said Bill Boyett, project representative, "but reopening the bridge on time was a great way to finish the first phase."
The project’s other scheduled improvements include several overlays, adding sidewalks and turn lanes, and realignments; and realigning Lewis and Park Street on the west side of 6th Street.
For up-to-date information about state highway projects in Grants Pass and surrounding areas, visit www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION3.
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| Central Oregon projects focus on safety, traffic flow |
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Construction, maintenance and preservation efforts in the central part of the state are enhancing safety, easing congestion, and improving habitat all the way from north to south. A few highlights include:
- The U.S. 97 Reroute through Redmond: this $72 million project provides a new north-south highway alignment and reduces congestions and delays through downtown.
- The U.S. 97 at South Century Drive Interchange: a $10 million full-diamond interchange improves access to Sunriver.
- The Crooked River Bridge on Oregon 126 in Prineville: this two-lane section is being replaced with a four-lane bridge and adding a signal to improve traffic flow.
- The U.S. 97 Spring Creek to North Shady Pine project, north of Klamath Falls: this $20 million project replaces failing bridges and aging pavement, installs a left turn lane and increases safety.
- The Oregon 140 project, west of Klamath Falls: new climbing lanes and improved lane widths are part of this $10.4 million project.
- The Oregon 66 Spencer Creek Bridge Project: a new, higher bridge is being constructed north of the existing bridge, which is narrow and deteriorating. The new location will remove two 25 mph curves.
In all, central Oregon is hosting 38 projects from the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program during the first six months of 2006. In addition, there are two wetland banking efforts underway and additional work being done on projects with the Oregon Bridge Delivery Partners, Planning and Programming, and Operations and Maintenance.
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| Eastern Oregon crews provide emergency repair |
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On March 22, a concrete irrigation siphon under Interstate 84 near Boardman collapsed and threatened the livelihood of nearby farmers. Repairing the siphon and restoring water to this productive agricultural area was a top priority for ODOT Region 5 crews.
"At the time of the break, some crops were planted or being planted, making accessibility to water critical," said Bev Bridgewater, WEID Manager.
Because of the potential impact, Region 5 implemented an accelerated bidding process to award the contract. The work required an aggressive 21-day timeframe, with incentives for early completion and penalties for late completion. By April 17 — just 25 days after the break — the siphon was repaired and water was heading back to the farms.
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| Motor Carrier by the numbers |
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Motor Carrier Transportation Division staff kept busy in 4th quarter 2005, generating the following:
| Registration fees collected |
$10,974,946 |
Weight mile taxes collected
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$68,237,130 |
Weight mile tax audits performed
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133 |
| Unpaid taxes assessed |
$910,786 |
| Total truck and driver inspections |
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By MCTD staff
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9,385 |
By law enforcement officers
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5,297 |
| Total trucks placed out-of-service |
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| By MCTD staff |
2,235 |
| By law enforcement officers |
449 |
Total drivers placed out-of-service
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| By MCTD staff |
784 |
| By law enforcement officers |
391 |
| Trucks weighed on static scales |
558,869 |
| Trucks precleared by Green Light weigh-in-motion |
332,892 |
| Citations issued |
6,682 |
| Warnings issued |
7,221 |
| Trucks required to correct size or weight |
1,060 |
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| Driver and Motor Vehicles by the numbers |
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DMV staff performed the following activities during 4th quarter 2005:
| Noncommercial driver licenses |
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| Issued |
32,105 |
| Renewed |
80,826 |
| Commercial driver licenses |
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| Issued |
1,866 |
| Renewed |
3,450 |
| Vehicle titles issued |
280,742 |
| On-the-road skills test (Class C) |
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| Noncommercial |
19,460 |
| Commercial |
416 |
| Class C knowledge tests |
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| Noncommercial |
60,880 |
| Commercial |
2,309 |
| Driver record requests processed |
543,219 |
| Vehicle record requests |
197,025 |
| Suspension packet requests from law enforcement processed |
1,672 |
| Dealer inspections conducted |
270 |
| Consumer complaints investigated |
88 |
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| DMV prepares for REAL ID Act |
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The REAL ID Act, signed into law in May 2005, will significantly affect the way Oregon’s Driver and Motor Vehicles assists customers. The act requires states to obtain proof of legal status in the U.S. and to verify Social Security numbers, immigration status and other identifying data before issuing driver licenses or identification cards. Oregon does not currently require these actions.
States have until May 2008 to implement the act’s requirements. After that time, federal agencies will be prohibited from accepting an identification card or driver license issued by a state whose issuance process does not meet the act’s requirements. That means, for example, if Oregon didn’t comply with the act, our state-issued driver licenses and identification cards would not be acceptable for official federal purposes such as boarding an airplane or entering a federal facility.
Several of Oregon’s laws must be changed to implement the new requirements. In the meantime, DMV is currently working on implementation of those parts of the act that do not require additional legislation.
Key requirements include:
- Card Security Features – Sets minimum requirements for physical security features to prevent tampering or counterfeiting of state-issued cards. Oregon already has many of these features in place.
- Legal Presence – Requires a person to provide evidence of lawful status in the United States, either as a U.S. citizen or legally present in the U.S. Legal presence is currently not a requirement for obtaining a driver license or ID card in Oregon.
- Electronic Document Verification – Requires verification from issuing agency of specific data on the identity source document (such as name, date of birth, address, Social Security number). This capability does not exist for certain data.
- One Person/One License – A driver license may not be issued until that person’s license in another state has been terminated.
- Electronic Access – Each state must be able to access electronically information contained in another state’s database. No such system currently exists.
- Employee Training – Requires fraudulent document recognition training for DMV employees. Oregon DMV employees currently receive this training.
- Expiration Dates – Limits the validity of a card to a maximum of eight years. Ties card expiration date to the date a person’s legal status expires.
For more information and continued updates, visit http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/index.shtml .
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| Passenger Rail and Rail Freight by the numbers |
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During the 4th quarter of 2005, ODOT’s Rail Safety Section conducted the following inspections:
| Locomotives and rail cars |
827 |
| Defects found |
76 |
| Miles of track |
76 |
| Turnouts |
57 |
| Defects found |
451 |
| Grade crossing switches |
2 |
| Grade crossing signals |
33 |
| Defects found |
73 |
| Hazardous materials |
55 |
| Defects found |
13 |
| Railroad facilities |
34 |
| Defects found |
68 |
| Rail-served industries |
102 |
| Defects round |
25 |
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| Highway Maintenance by the numbers |
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Here’s how Maintenance Crews cared for Oregon’s state roads during 4th quarter 2005:
| Tons asphalt laid |
3,291 |
| Number of highway miles striped |
2,808 |
| Feet of guardrail installed/repaired |
5,085 |
| Spent on emergency maintenance |
$595,441 |
| Spent on snow plowing |
$1,853,942 |
| Spent on sanding |
$2,092,542 |
| Spent on bridge maintenance/repair |
$680,970 |
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| New phone system improves MCTD customer service |
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When the Motor Carrier Transportation Division upgraded its phone system in June 2005, staff hoped it would allow better management of calls during heavy volumes. Now that the system has been running for almost a year, the Division is more than pleased — not only with the system’s ability to manage calls, but with all the other benefits as well.
The new "Symposium Express Call Center" provides skill-based routing, flexibility and management tools all in one cost-saving move. The $47,000 investment has improved customer service and allows staff to spend more time with customers who need it.
In the five months prior to the installation of the system, the wait time for a permit analyst could be up to 19 minutes. Since the system’s installation, wait times are averaging one minute or less.
"Boy that was fast," said Elaine Dyck of Gladwin Holdings. "I was put on hold with Texas and they told me the wait time would be 90 minutes. Your music is nice, too!"
The system has also improved efficiency.
"With the new system, we have more flexibility and control, allowing us to quickly serve callers while maximizing our resources," said Salem Motor Carrier Services Manager Ric Listella. "Our staff deserves all the credit."
ODOT’s Motor Carrier Transportation Division also offers many services 24-hours a day online at www.oregontruckingonline.com.
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| TripCheck, 511 information systems help drivers in record numbers |
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TripCheck.com and the "511" phone service helped motorists in record numbers this winter. During December 2005 (the floods!), TripCheck.com received 2.4 million hits, the third highest usage since the service was created. Growth for the year had been predicted at 6 percent, but ended up being 10 percent. That’s due in part to the re-design of the site, completed mid-year. Commuters, visitors and residents are visiting the user-friendly site more often and finding what they need faster.
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| Contact us |
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Questions, comments or concerns about ODOT?
Call us toll-free (888) ASK-ODOT or submit a comment online.
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