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If I had a billion dollars: how we can transform Oregon’s transportation future
January 19, 2022 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is sending nearly a billion dollars to Oregon, with more on the table in the form of grants. If the Build Back Better Act passes, Oregon could see even more transportation dollars.
Some of the federal funds are tied to specific kinds of projects, such as repair and replacement of aging bridges, and some of the funds can be directed in different ways. For example, projects that are funded by these dollars could be required to reduce emissions from transportation. This massive federal investment at this time gives us a chance to think big about how we should spend transportation dollars in Oregon in general.
The Clean and Just Transportation Network is hosting a panel discussion of leaders from communities around the state on January 19 to talk about how we’d like to see transportation dollars spent to make big strides in climate and equity.
REGISTER HERE
Panelists:
Steph Routh, moderator
Sam Diaz, Executive Director, 1000 Friends of Oregon
LeeAnn O’Neill, Board President, Bend Bikes
Maria Cecilia Hinojos Pressey, Board of Directors, Cherriots Transit
Lucas Wedeman, Humanitarian Aid Worker, Rogue Action Center
More information:
Why now? The Oregon Transportation Commission (the appointed decision-making body that directs ODOT) will be making key decisions in the next several months about how this money should be spent. The OTC meets January 20 to review a set of spending “scenarios” provided by staff leading up to a final decision in March. Anyone can submit written comments and/or sign up to provide oral comments at this meeting. We encourage you to provide your comments to the OTC and if you’re not sure what you’d like to ask for, this panel will be a great place to hear some ideas!
How to provide testimony at the OTC meeting: You can provide written testimony through this link at any time. You can also submit written testimony to [email protected]. To testify orally at the meeting, you must sign up in advance (typically the window to sign up is from the Friday before the meeting until 4pm on the day before the meeting) – information will be posted on the OTC meeting webpage. The meeting packet, including the scenarios, will likely be posted the Friday before the meeting.