Baird announces $15m in funding for Interstate 5

September 13, 2007

As Southwest Washington continues to see its population grow, communities throughout the region are exploring new ways to reduce congestion and support the local economy.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced that Interstate 5 has been named a “Corridor of the Future,” and will receive $15 million. Congressman Brian Baird (WA-03) wrote a letter of support to the Department for this designation.

“I-5 is one of the nation’s most critical transportation corridors,” said Congressman Baird. “As our nation’s population continues to shift toward the west, and trade expands, I-5 will grow in importance. This status ensures that the resources Washington needs to make improvements to I-5 are available to maintain the region’s economic health, help to alleviate congestion, and enhance trade on the west coast.”

The announcement concludes a year long process reviewing applications from states, or private sector entities working with states interested in forming coalitions to build corridors to alleviate congestion on highways, rail or waterways. The Department of Transportation received 38 proposals and in February 2007, selected 14 projects located on eight major transportation corridors to participate in Phase 2 of the competition.

In particular, the designation will help Oregon and Washington advance the Columbia River Crossing project to develop multi-modal solutions to transportation problems caused by aging bridges over the Columbia River in the Portland/Vancouver metro region. Congressman Baird has long supported this project, and has diligently worked to secure federal resources.

Corridors of the Future receive the following benefits: expedited environmental review; accelerated review and conditional approval of experimental features under the Federal Highway Administration's SEP-15 process; expedited process for Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act credit assistance; priority consideration for tolling programs and assistance in identifying other possible discretionary funding sources.