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Connect Oregon

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New 2026 competitive grant funding round

We are now accepting applications for the 2026 round of competitive grant funding through March 27, 2026.*

We have $75 million available for eligible aviation, marine and rail projects this cycle. Prospective applicants should familiarize themselves with the materials under “Application Documents and Review Information" before submitting their applications.

Start your application online today

*Note: This is the new, extended application deadline. (The previous deadline was Feb. 27, 2026.)

Investing in Oregon's non-highway transportation future

The Connect Oregon program was established by the 2005 state legislature to invest in non-highway modes of transportation. The program currently funds aviation, rail, and marine projects via competitive grants and matching funds for federal grant programs. In past years, the program also funded bicycle, pedestrian and transit projects.

As of 2024, there have been eight competitive grant funding opportunities under the program. In total, the program has awarded $512 million to 240 projects throughout the state.

New Connect Oregon funding option: Federal Grant Match

We recently launched a new funding option from the Connect Oregon program: The Federal Grant Match.

The Federal Grant Match option provides funds that can be used for matching requirements for federal grants. It's separate from the Competitive Grant funding rounds, but still uses Connect Oregon program funding, and requires a similar application process.

We accept applications for the Federal Match Option on a rolling basis. Start your Connect Oregon Federal Grant Match Application online. About $8 million has been tentatively awarded by the OTC to projects for the Port of Newport, Port of Portland and Mith-ih-Kwuh Economic Development Corporation contingent upon those entities being awarded federal grants from the federal Maritime Administration in Q4 2025 or Q1 2026. There are currently limited available funds to be awarded to future Federal Grant Match option applications until the determination of the previously noted ports projects.

Before you apply, please review the “Application Documents and Review Information" section near the bottom of this webpage to learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, and application process. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact program staff prior to applying to ensure their proposal is a good fit for the CO federal grant match option.

Read this brief FAQ for more details about the Federal Grant Match option.

Applications Under Review

None.


Funding by Cycle

To open the report above in full screen mode, or to exit full screen mode, click the diagonal arrow button on the lower right side of the dashboard. Use the left or right arrows to navigate between the pages of the report. 

Additional Program Information and Progress

Connect Oregon funds “transportation projects” which per statute means a project or undertaking for rail, marine or aviation capital infrastructure, including bridges, or a project that facilitates the transportation of materials, animals or people. This does not include maintenance, ongoing operations, or planning efforts that do not result in construction. 

Projects eligible for funding from highway fund revenues that come primarily from state fuel taxes, vehicle title and registration fees, and heavy truck fees (section 3a, Article IX of the Oregon Constitution, the Highway Trust Fund), are not eligible for Connect Oregon funding. If a highway or public road element is essential to the complete functioning of the proposed project, applicants are encouraged to work with their ODOT region, city, or county to identify the necessary funding sources.​

Guidance

Forms

Background


The state legislature identified five dedicated projects (four in House Bill 2017 and one in House Bill 4304) that were to be grantees of the Connect Oregon program.

The statuses of the projects are as follows:

  • Mid-Willamette Valley Intermodal Facility – $25 million from HB 2017 - Project Plan approved by the Oregon Transportation Commission at their July 2019 meeting. The project developed an intermodal facility on 66 acres on portions of a former mill site located in Millersburg adjacent to I-5. Improvements including new support tracks to connect to Union Pacific Railroad, working tracks to move rail cars within the yard, and supporting office and support facilities. Construction was completed in 2022. The new operator is working to develop potential commodity business lines at this facility including renewable energy, agriculture, intermodal containers, and waste management.
  • Treasure Valley Intermodal Facility - $26 million from HB 2017 - Project Plan approved by the Oregon Transportation Commission at their July 2019 meeting. The project includes a transload facility to transfer via rail agricultural commodities and potentially other commodities to locations with in the United states.  Construction of most of the rail infrastructure is complete.  The project sponsor is finalizing a plan to lease the facility to a new operator who will be responsible for completing construction and beginning operations.  The new operator will become the facility owner at the end of the lease agreement as long as they comply with the terms and conditions including operating the reload center for 10 years.
  • Rail Expansion at the Port of Morrow - $6.55 million from HB 2017 - Project Plan approved by the Oregon Transportation Commission at their September 2018 meeting. This project constructed rail improvements in the Port of Morrow's East Beach Industrial Park in Boardman, OR to improve the port's rail operations, service and capacity. Construction is complete.
  • Rail siding to support Amtrak Cascade line - $2.6 million from HB 2017 -  Project has been canceled due to previously unknown challenges with retaining walls supporting the railroad roadbed that made the improvements cost prohibitive.
  • Oregon International Port of Coos Bay Rail Bridge Rehabilitation Project - $5 million from HB 4304 – The project made rail bridge repairs and replacements on the Coos Bay Rail Line. The project replaced the Vaughn Bridge and Coal Bank Slough Bridge, and repaired five swing-span bridges.  The project was completed in late 2025 and awaits final on-site inspection.

Contact

For policy and proposed projects:
Email John Boren
Freight Program Manager
Telephone 503-951-0166

For grants awarded or projects underway:

Email Cece Gilbert
Connect Oregon Program Manager
Telephone 503-986-3528

Stay Informed

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