Sellwood Bridge replacement takes a giant step with bill signing
Jul 29th, 2009 by Jim
From Ted Wheeler, Multnomah County Chair:
Dear Sellwood Bridge User,
When Governor Ted Kulongoski signed the Oregon Jobs and Transportation Act of 2009 this week, our project to replace the Sellwood Bridge took a giant leap forward. The legislation helps fund a new bridge in these ways:
· $30 million is designated to build a new interchange where the bridge connects with Highway 43.
· Multnomah and Clackamas counties are permitted to enact local vehicle registration fees to fund a new Sellwood Bridge.
· All Oregon counties and cities will receive new transportation funds from state vehicle fees and the state gas tax. The City of Portland and Multnomah County are negotiating an agreement whereby the City would commit $8 million a year of its new funds to raise $100 million for the new Sellwood Bridge.
The legislation creates the local and state funding sources we need to secure federal funds to complete the project. We thank members of the Oregon House and Senate and the Governor for recognizing the need to replace this important regional bridge.
Now the focus on funding will shift to important decisions at the local and federal levels. We expect the elected boards of Multnomah and Clackamas counties will consider enacting local vehicle fees later this year. The Portland City Council will take up the funding agreement with Multnomah County before the end of this year as well. We want to have these local sources in place before Congress acts on our request for $40 million as part of the next federal transportation bill, likely in 2010.
If replacing the Sellwood Bridge is important to you, now is a great time to let your elected leaders know and thank them for supporting the project. Follow these links to contact your elected leaders:
· Multnomah County Board of Commissioners
· Clackamas County Board of Commissioners
· Portland City Council
· Congressman Earl Blumenauer
· Congressman Kurt Schrader
· Congressman Peter DeFazio
· Senator Jeff Merkley
· Senator Ron Wyden
Thank you again for your participation in the Sellwood Bridge project.
Ted Wheeler, Multnomah County Chair
Deborah Kafoury, Commissioner – District 1