$11.3 million, 18 off-road projects recommended for funding in new program

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Projects include new trails, plans, path extensions and more

March 30, 2021

For more information: Alan Thompson, program manager, 503-986-7202 (Office); 971-375-3903 (Cell)

SALEM - Building new trails, extending current paths and planning for future off-road investments are among the projects recommended for funding in the new Oregon Community Paths Program. Altogether, the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee recommends funding 18 projects totaling $11.3 million. The recommendation now goes to the Oregon Transportation Committee for final approval at its May meeting.

The Oregon Community Paths Program, or OCP, is a new program dedicated to help plan and build off-road walking and biking paths that connect communities and destinations. It's a key contributor to ODOT's Strategic Action Plan, as it adds to the agency's priorities of equity, a modern transportation system and sufficient and reliable funding. Funded by Keep Oregon Moving (HB 2017), the program also aims to improve safety for walkers, bikers and other personal mobility device users.

Two types of projects are funded through OCP: construction and preliminary planning (or project refinement). The recommended projects for funding are:

Applicant

Project Title

Type of Project

Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission

Kestrel Park Bridge - Bear Creek Greenway Extension

Construction

Astoria 

Riverwalk Trail Continuation of Lighting East

Construction

Chiloquin

Chiloquin Community Safe and Healthy Connections

Construction

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

Tribal Services Center Access Path

Construction

Corvallis

Tunison Community Path

Project Refinement

Eugene

Eugene Berkeley Park Path

Construction

Hermiston

Belt Park Greenway Trail

Construction

Independence

South Willamette River Trail Refinement

Project Refinement

Joseph Branch Trail Consortium

Joseph Branch Rail with Trail

Project Refinement

La Grande

City of La Grande Critical Link Project Refinement

Project Refinement

Madras

Juniper Hills to Madras East Trails Multiuse Connection Project

Construction

Medford

Larson Creek Path Repaving: Black Oak to Murphy Rd

Construction

Ontario

Ontario North-South Connector

Project Refinement

Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District

Westside Trail Segments 14-18 Master Plan (Preferred Alignment)

Project Refinement

Tualatin

Tualatin River Greenway Trail Extension

Construction

Warrenton

Tansy Point Connection NW 11th Path

Project Refinement

Wasco County (NWCPRD)

Mill Creek Greenway

Construction

Washington County LU&T

Reedville Trail

Construction

Background

In November 2020, ODOT received 81 letters of interest for the OCP program, totaling $105 million. Those letters determined to be eligible for the program were invited to apply for funding. In January 2021, ODOT received 57 applications from across the state for the OCP Grant Program, totaling $35 million. The Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee met on March 24 and approved a recommended project list for the Oregon Community Paths Grant Program for the Oregon Transportation Commission’s consideration at its May meeting.

Next step

  • May 13: Oregon Transportation Commission reviews the recommendation for discussion and decision-making. OTC meeting materials will be available two weeks before the meeting.

More information about the Oregon Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee

The Oregon Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee advises ODOT in program policy and recommendations for funding allocation for both the Oregon Community Paths Infrastructure Program and Ped-Bike Program. The Oregon Community Paths Program is guided by OAR 731-036, created in January 2020 for state OCP funding.

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