Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $6 Million for Efforts to Modernize Old Pacific Highway 99 in Douglas County

Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is awarding $6,027,873 to Douglas County for the planning and design of critical transportation, safety, and accessibility improvements to Old Pacific Highway 99.

Securing these federal investments through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program is a key step toward modernizing the stretch of Old Pacific Highway 99 with upgraded roads, railroad crossings, signage, and transit systems in the rural communities.

"Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, over $6 million in RAISE grants will be leveraged to map out ways to modernize Old Pacific Highway 99 into a more accessible, efficient, and safe route for Oregonians in Douglas County and beyond," said Merkley. "I'll keep pushing for federal investments like these that reimagine our transportation systems and keep Oregonians in every corner of the state moving forward."

"Douglas County residents and all motorists driving Old Pacific Highway 99 deserve the safest and smoothest travel along this route," Wyden said. "I'm glad the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law I worked to pass has generated this important investment for our state, and I'll continue pressing to ensure this landmark law keeps delivering similar benefits for all of Oregon."

The USDOT's RAISE grant program helps municipalities, Tribal governments, counties, and others to plan and construct critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects that improve safety, mobility, and community connectivity while boosting economic competitiveness.

Details for Douglas County's two RAISE grants are as follows:

1. $3,541,387 for the Tri-City Myrtle Creek Community Connection and Mobility Enhancement Project to plan and design improvements to Old Pacific Highway 99 between Riverside Drive and Gael Lane. The project will analyze speed zones, stormwater management, active infrastructure, ADA accessibility, mid-block pedestrian crossings, lighting, signage, and transit stops to identify improvements.
2. $2,486,486 for the Sutherlin Old Highway 99 Modernization and Mobility Enhancement Project to plan and design multi-modal improvements to Old Pacific Highway 99. Activities through this project will include: environmental analysis, NEPA evaluation and permitting, community engagement and public outreach, equity analysis, applicability assessments for safety improvements (including speed zones, signage, and lighting), intersection evaluation, structural analysis, streambed restoration analysis, railroad at-grade multi-modal crossing design, railroad coordination and review processes, stormwater system design, roadway and pavement design, ADA accessibility evaluation and design, benefit cost analysis, and documentation for future construction funding applications.

"We are incredibly grateful to receive these two RAISE grants, which will allow us to plan for critical improvements to Old Pacific Highway 99, enhancing safety, accessibility, and sustainability for our communities. With over $6 million in funding, these projects will not only focus on infrastructure upgrades, such as speed zones, pedestrian crossings, and lighting, but will also include vital community engagement. These efforts will help ensure that our roads serve everyone - from pedestrians and cyclists to transit riders and motorists - in a safe manner. We look forward to the next steps in planning and designing these improvements that will have a lasting positive impact on both our county's transportation network and its future growth," said Tom Kress, Douglas County Commissioner

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