| Press Release |
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| March 25, 2008 |
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Governor Underscores Importance of Transportation to Economy and Quality of Life
New overpass in Springfield is example of local, state and federal governments working with private partners to expand transportation options for citizens of Lane County
Springfield – Following the Governor’s State of the State address, where he identified transportation as one of his five top priorities, Governor Ted Kulongoski today toured the new Lane Transit District’s Pioneer Parkway Bus Rapid Transit extension and spoke to the need to invest in a comprehensive, statewide transportation plan to both enhance Oregon’s economy and quality of life.
“Oregon’s transportation infrastructure is not keeping up with population growth or freight traffic – a problem that not only affects businesses but also affects our quality of life,” Governor Ted Kulongoski said. “Here at the soon to be completed interchange that is opening this fall, we are looking at a project that can serve as a model for future investments because it is the result of a strong public-private partnership from every level of government.”
The Governor’s transportation initiative will not just invest in roads and bridges; it will be “larger, greener, safer and more strategic than anything done before.” It will be a comprehensive plan that will give consumers choices they can feel good about by investing in alternative fuels for cars and trucks and alternative modes of transportation, such as light rail. It will also make strategic investments in maintenance and repair statewide.
“Oregon must have the greenest transportation system in the country,” the Governor continued. “This will not happen if all we do is build more roads. In the words of transportation experts – the system must be multimodal.”
In 2003, the Governor and Legislature invested $2.5 billion through the Oregon Transportation Act III (OTIA III) to begin rebuilding Oregon’s roads and bridges. In 2005 and 2007 the Governor and Legislature also partnered to invest a total of $200 million in Oregon’s seaports, airports and railroads through ConnectOregon I and II. Building on these investments, the Governor is committed to working with local and federal partners in both the public and private sector to develop a comprehensive transportation plan for the 2009 legislative session.
“My bottom line on transportation is this: we need to make a greater investments in our public transportation system – and what I present to the legislature in 2009 will be larger, greener, safer and more strategic than anything we’ve done before,” the Governor concluded.
For more information about the Governor’s transportation agenda, go to:http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/docs/sos/2008/transportation.pdf
Contact:
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-6169
Rem Nivens, 503-378-6496
Jillian Schoene, 503-378-5040
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