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| Overview |
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The 2007 Oregon Legislature approved a second authorization of $100 million to Oregon’s Multimodal Transportation fund for the ConnectOregon program. This second authorization, also known as ConnectOregon II, will build on the success of the first authorization, ConnectOregon I, and will continue to improve the connections between the highway system and other modes of transportation.
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| Project Eligibility and Selection Criteria |
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ConnectOregon II will fund marine, rail, aviation and transit projects in the form of grants and loans. Both public organizations and private entities may apply for funding. Project activities that are eligible for funding from the State Highway Trust Fund or that require or rely upon continuing subsidies from the Oregon Department of Transportation are not eligible for ConnectOregon II funding.
House Bill 2278 directs the Oregon Transportation Commission to allocate at least 10 percent of ConnectOregon II funds to each of five regions. This is a change from the ConnectOregon I legislation, which allocated a minimum of 15 percent to each region.
Projects were reviewed using the considerations outlined in HB 2278:
- 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 state;
- 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.
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| Administrative Rules |
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To reflect the changes in the Connect Oregon program detailed in HB 2278, Oregon Administrative Rules were amended. The updated version of the rules was approved by the Oregon Transportation Commission on Nov. 14, 2007.
ODOT Rulemaking Web page
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| Review and Selection |
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HB 2278 required the Oregon Transportation Commission to solicit project recommendations from the State Aviation Board, Oregon Economic & Community Development Department and the Freight, Public Transit and Rail Advisory committees. Since HB 2278 calls for allocating a percentage of the funds by region, the OTC also solicited recommendations from the state’s Area Commissions on Transportation. Because the Portland metro area does not have an ACT, the OTC convened and solicited recommendations from a specially created metro area committee.
Finally, the OTC convened a Final Review Committee composed of representatives from the State Aviation Board, Freight Advisory Committee, Public Transit Advisory Committee, Rail Advisory Committee, Marine Project and Planning Advisory Committee, the ACTs and the Portland metro area committee. The Final Review Committee prioritized all the projects and created one draft list of projects for the Oregon Transportation Commission to review and take public comment on. The Commission made their final selection on June 20.
Final application list
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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The document below lists answers to commonly asked questions about Connect Oregon II.
Frequently Asked Questions (pdf) - updated Nov. 13, 2007
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| Application Forms |
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Application Packet
The application period is closed.
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| Timeline |
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The following is a timeline used for ConnectOregon II.
- HB2278 effective date – July. 1, 2007
- Rule development – July 2 through Nov. 14, 2007
- Intent to Apply submission period – Aug. 1 through Sept. 30, 2007
- Oregon Transportation Commission hearing on rule – Nov. 14, 2007
- Application submission period – Sept. 4 through Nov. 21, 2007
- Regional application question and answer sessions – Sept. 10-21, 2007
- Staff and consultant review of applications – Nov. 26, 2007 through Jan. 7, 2008
- Modal stakeholder groups review applications – Jan. 17 through Feb. 28, 2008
- Regional stakeholder groups review applications – Mar. 7 through April 17, 2008
- Final Review Committee recommendations – April 29-30
- OTC public hearing on recommendations – May 2008
- OTC approval of projects – June 2008
- Project agreements executed from June – Oct. 2008
- Implementation ongoing from June 2008
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| For More Information |
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For more information about the application and selection process for ConnectOregon II, contact ODOT's Freight Mobility Section at (503) 986-3208 or connectoregon@odot.state.or.us.
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