ConnectOregon is a transportation investment program put in place by the 2005 session of the Oregon Legislature. The program invests $100 million each biennium into transportation system improvements that are not road related. This funding stream is available to upgrade airports, marine and sea ports, the rail system, and public transit. After the initial program, successive legislatures have reauthorized the expenditure, so we are currently working on COIII.
From the fiscal perspective, each biennium the state issues $100 million in bonds that fund the program. The revenue stream to pay off the bonds is lottery funds, so a portion of the money you spend on state lottery tickets funds this worthwhile program.
The purpose of the program is to create and retain jobs, and reduce congestion on our highway system by moving traffic into alternate modes. This being Oregon, reducing greenhouse gases has been added as a desired outcome, also.
Proposals in all parts of the state are considered for funding. As with previous versions, ConnectOregon III legislation requires that at least 10 percent of the funds be allocated in each of the five regions. This reauthorization directs that 5 percent of the funds be allocated to rural airports. The remaining funding is applied to projects of statewide significance. Douglas County, along with Coos, Curry, Josephine and Jackson comprise region 3. Around 100 proposals have been submitted from across the state. The award process involves a lot of Oregonians and is surprisingly non political.
The proposals are grouped by transportation mode and by region. The final decision is made by the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC), citizens that serve as unpaid advisors to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Recommendations come to the OTC from a number of advisory committees: the Oregon Aviation Board, the Freight, Public Transit, and Rail Advisory Committees, the Marine Project and Planning Advisory Committee, as well as the Area Commissions on Transportation. All of these groups are made up of unpaid citizen volunteers. A hearing is planned for mid-July 2010 where any member of the public or interested party may provide comment on ConnectOregon projects to the OTC before they make project selection decisions.
I will be travelling to Salem this week as a member of the Rail Advisory Committee to evaluate applications submitted to fund projects in the rail mode.
More information at http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/CO/index.shtml.
I always welcome your questions or comments. Please contact me by email at morgan@co.douglas.or.us; by mail at Douglas County Courthouse, Room 217, 1036 SE Douglas, Roseburg, 97470; or by phone at 440-4201.