A group of regional leaders today endorsed the Legislature’s proposed transportation funding package, while recognizing that the bill is still evolving.
“Overall the legislation, as it has been proposed, is moving in the right direction,” said Metro Councilor Craig Dirksen, who also chairs the Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation, a body that includes local elected officials from around the Portland region and leaders of other major transportation agencies.
“It’s what we want to see in terms of a package that will address congestion and other issues in our region and around the state,” Dirksen continued.
If enacted, House Bill 2017 would be the most ambitious transportation funding package in Oregon history.
Built on a range of revenue sources extending out over a decade, the package would support a variety of strategies to reduce congestion and improve safety, including targeted highway bottleneck projects, transit operations, Safe Routes to School and biking and walking projects across the region and state.
JPACT’s endorsement signals to lawmakers that they’re ready to continue working with them to deliver a transportation package that will meet the state’s needs now and into the future.