$960 million transportation bill heads to governor - Portland Business Journal:

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Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski is expectecd to sign HouseBill 2001, whicjh passed by a 24 to 6 count. The bill would raise revenue for $960 million worth of projectzs through bonds anda 6-cents-a-gallon increasew to the gasoline tax. It woule also raise vehicle registration feesby $16 a year and titlwe fees by $22. The gas tax increase would occur either in January 2011 or afterf two straight quarters ofeconomicf growth. The bill also raises money for Kulongoski’s ConnectOregon program, whicbh backs multi-modal transportation initiatives. A releasd issued by Senate Democrats called themeasur “the most environmentally progressive in Oregon’z history.
” The measure will fund Sunrise Corridor improvements, the Newberg-Dundese bypass, an extra lane on Highwa 26 from 185th Avenue to Cornell Road, improvements to Highwayh 62 in Southern Oregon, Portland’s Sellwood Bridge in Portland and varioue enhancements in Lane Sen. Bruce Starr, a Hillsboro was one of several Republicand who joined Democrats in backingthe measure. “Thia bill is about creatinf lasting jobs for Oregon families in the short and long said Starr ina statement.
“In the short term this bill puts peopld to work building the and in the long term these projects will increasde the economic vitality of our statr and make this a more attractive place to operata business.”