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Governor urges lawmakers to OK transportation plan
By Charles E. Beggs, Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, April 20, 2005 | No comments posted.
SALEM - Gov. Ted Kulongoski nudged lawmakers to pass his $100 million bonding program to upgrade non-highway transportation systems, including ports, airports and rail lines.
At a Portland news conference Tuesday, Kulongoski said his "Connect Oregon" plan is needed to strengthen the state's ties to national and international markets.
"Rail, air and marine are not competitors with our highway system; they are interconnected with our roads, bridges and highways," Kulongoski said. "Connect Oregon is an important investment we can make to strengthen our ability to compete in a global market, create and retain jobs in Oregon, and grow our state's economy."
The plan is seen as a follow up to a $2.5 billion highway and bridge upgrade program approved by the 2003 Legislature. Transportation officials say the bridge repair and replacement program might not cost as much as first estimated.
Lower spending for the road program might free some money for Kulongoski's plan for port, aviation and rail projects, said Sen. Kurt Schrader, co-chairman of the budget-writing Joint Ways & Means Committee.
Schrader said the governor's plan seems to have solid support from lawmakers, but a money source other than lottery-backed bonds may be sought to fund the program. The Canby Democrat said he would like to keep lottery revenue available for other uses, such as schools and treatment for gambling addiction.
Lawmakers also could require ports and other beneficiaries of state funds to come up with some matching money for projects, Schrader said.
A Port of Portland spokesman said that agency could potentially benefit from state funding for airports and rail as well as for port development.
The port operates Portland International Airport and three smaller airports.
Eric Hedaa, Port of Portland media relations manager for marine and business development, said a priority is improving rail service to the port's container shipping facilities.
The port is building a third rail line into the port's container terminal, Terminal 6, to supplement two railroad-owned rail spurs.
The governor's multi-modal transportation plan is important "because a fluid transportation system is a magnet for business development," he said.
At a Portland news conference Tuesday, Kulongoski said his "Connect Oregon" plan is needed to strengthen the state's ties to national and international markets.
"Rail, air and marine are not competitors with our highway system; they are interconnected with our roads, bridges and highways," Kulongoski said. "Connect Oregon is an important investment we can make to strengthen our ability to compete in a global market, create and retain jobs in Oregon, and grow our state's economy."
The plan is seen as a follow up to a $2.5 billion highway and bridge upgrade program approved by the 2003 Legislature. Transportation officials say the bridge repair and replacement program might not cost as much as first estimated.
Lower spending for the road program might free some money for Kulongoski's plan for port, aviation and rail projects, said Sen. Kurt Schrader, co-chairman of the budget-writing Joint Ways & Means Committee.
Schrader said the governor's plan seems to have solid support from lawmakers, but a money source other than lottery-backed bonds may be sought to fund the program. The Canby Democrat said he would like to keep lottery revenue available for other uses, such as schools and treatment for gambling addiction.
Lawmakers also could require ports and other beneficiaries of state funds to come up with some matching money for projects, Schrader said.
A Port of Portland spokesman said that agency could potentially benefit from state funding for airports and rail as well as for port development.
The port operates Portland International Airport and three smaller airports.
Eric Hedaa, Port of Portland media relations manager for marine and business development, said a priority is improving rail service to the port's container shipping facilities.
The port is building a third rail line into the port's container terminal, Terminal 6, to supplement two railroad-owned rail spurs.
The governor's multi-modal transportation plan is important "because a fluid transportation system is a magnet for business development," he said.
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