Funding would reduce travel delays, enhance safety for drivers

June 14, 2006 - Washington, DC -
U.S. Congressman Greg Walden, R-Ore., today announced a $500,000 investment in the I-84 North Ontario interchange approved today by the House of Representatives in the House appropriations legislation for Transportation, Treasury and other agencies.  This federal investment by Congress, which was specifically requested by Walden, would assist the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) on this local transportation package, which is designed to accommodate growing regional and interstate freight volumes on I-84 and Oregon 201.
 
“The effort to reconstruct the I-84 interchange at North Ontario is imperative to improving safety and reducing travel delays in a region that has seen increases in passenger and commercial vehicle volume,” said Walden.  “These funds will help ODOT as they continue their work on this much-needed infrastructure improvement.  I was glad to lend my strong support to this project, and look forward to working with our senators to ensure it remains in the final agreement between the House and Senate.”
 
The Senate will now consider the House-approved legislation authorizing this investment; any differences between Senate funding and House funding levels would be negotiated in a conference committee between the two chambers.
 
Walden is currently in his fourth term representing the people of Oregon’s Second District which is more than 70,000 square miles of eastern, central and southern Oregon. He is a member of the House Committee on Energy & Commerce and the Committee on Resources.