ConnectOregon Report to the Oregon Legislature
ConnectOregon Report
ConnectOregon Report - Executive Summary
Background
In 2005, the Oregon Legislature created the Multimodal Transportation Fund to invest in air, marine, rail, and public transit infrastructure improvements. The Fund is part of what is known as the ConnectOregon program; providing grants and loans to non-highway transportation projects that promote economic development in Oregon. The legislature authorized issuance of $100 million in lottery-backed revenue bonds to fund the program in each of the 2005-07, 2007-09, and 2009-11 biennia. An additional $40 million was authorized in 2011 for the 2011-13 biennium.
In creating the Multimodal Transportation Fund, the legislature found that local governments and businesses often lack sufficient capital and technical capacity (i.e. engineering, planning, labor and/or equipment) to undertake multimodal transportation projects and that public financial assistance can help support these long-term economic growth and job creation projects. For the $340 million of ConnectOregon cycles (I, II, III, and IV), the state received 424 eligible project applications. Of which, the Oregon Transportation Commission selected 203 projects for funding. With the addition of leveraged funds, the program represents approximately $834 million in direct investment in multimodal transportation improvements.
Funded Project Lists
ConnectOregon projects have resulted in success from creating job opportunities to retaining major employers. The projects have also resulted in reduced transportation costs, barriers to economic development removed, and improved safety. Together, the initial four phases of the ConnectOregon program have improved multimodal connections and better integrated transportation system components, thereby improving the flow of commerce and promoting economic development within Oregon. ODOT administers the program pursuant to OAR 731-035.
Click on any of the below pictures to read about a few of the successful projects.
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Project Selection
The Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) approves projects for funding with the assistance of input from 11 review
committees that represent each
ConnectOregon Region and five modal committees (aviation, marine, rail, transit, and freight).
In selecting projects, the OTC considers the five following considerations as put forth by the legislature:
Whether a proposed transportation project reduces transportation costs for Oregon businesses or improves access to jobs and sources of labor;
Whether a proposed transportation project results in an economic benefit to this states;
Whether a proposed transportation project is a critical link connecting elements of Oregon’s transportation system that will measurably improve utilization and efficiency of the system;
How much of the cost of a proposed transportation project can be borne by the applicant for the grant or loan from any source other than the Multimodal Transportation Fund; and
Whether a proposed transportation project is ready for construction.
In addition to the aforementioned considerations, the current
ConnectOregon program provides for investment to occur across the state by guaranteeing at least 10% of the total fund be invested in each of 5 legislatively designated
ConnectOregon Regions (
ConnectOregon Region Map).
ConnectOregon IV
In 2011 the 2011 Oregon Legislature authorized $40 million for
ConnectOregon IV.
The Oregon Department of Transportation initially received 70 applications for funding.
After staff eligibility, feasibility, and economic benefit reviews, 64 applications requesting $71,894,160 moved forward in the application process to be reviewed by the
ConnectOregon Modal and Regional Review Committees.
The Committee prioritized the projects it reviewed with the goal of selecting the best projects to benefit air, marine, public transit and rail transportation throughout Oregon.
The recommendations from the Modal and Regional Review Committees were then forwarded to a 24-member
Final Review Committee appointed by the ODOT Director.
The Final Review Committee, comprised of representatives from the Modal and Regional Review Committees, reviewed and discussed project materials and prepared a formal recommendation for the Oregon Transportation Commission to consider.
The Final Review Committee recommended 38 projects totaling $40,038,333 in
ConnectOregon IV funding.
In all, the 38 projects recommended will leverage approximately, $95 million in non-
ConnectOregon funds.
The Oregon Transportation Commission held a public hearing concerning the
Final Review Committee’s recommendations in Salem on July 18, 2012.
The OTC took formal action on project funding at its August 16, 2012 meeting in Baker City.
Contact Information
Selected projects from ConnectOregon I through IV
Carol Olsen
Active Transportation Analyst
(503) 986-3327 |
Future ConnectOregon Projects
Chris Cummings
Senior Transportation Planner
(503) 986-3703 |
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