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The Oregon Transportation Commission recently approved funding for 30 rail, air, marine and public transit projects. The commission will provide $100 million from a lottery bond-backed "ConnectOregon" program.

Enacted last year and coordinated by the Oregon Department of Transportation, ConnectOregon provides funding for transportation projects not involving highways. In April, a 25-member final review committee ranked projects among a list of 70 seeking $178.5 million in ConnectOregon funds. The first 30 approved for funding include 13 rail, 10 aviation, five transit and two marine projects.

Among the freight-rail projects obtaining funds:
• Portland and Western Railroad will upgrade 23 miles of deteriorated 100-year-old rail along the Columbia River, and rehabilitate Millersburg Yard and add or extend several tracks within the facility;
• BNSF Railway Co. will extend a 4,900-foot siding to 7,700 feet in the heavily congested "Portland Rail Triangle," and install power switches on a line between BNSF and the Portland & Western;
• Union Pacific Railroad will add track capacity to support the Port of Portland;
• Modoc Northern Railroad Co. and Lake County will add rail infrastructure in four key areas;
• The Port of Morrow and Northwest Container Services Inc. will create a multi-modal rail logistics facility;
• Albany & Eastern Railroad Co. will rehabilitate bridges on its Mill City branch; and
• Mount Hood Railroad will repair 22 miles of track to re-establish a line.

Among the public transit projects, the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon and Gresham Redevelopment Commission will reconstruct the 188th Street light-rail station as part of an urban renewal effort. The station will feature expanded platforms, wider sidewalks, bike lanes and new lighting.