Eastern Oregon aviation and rail projects get funding

By Terry Murry on Wednesday, May 25th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

SALEM – The Oregon Transportation Commission has approved $3.7 million in new aviation and rail projects in Morrow, Umatilla, and Union Counties. The new funding is part of Connect Oregon, an initiative established by the 2005 state legislature to invest in non-highway modes of transportation.

These projects went through what is described as a rigorous, multi-step review process including evaluations from Oregon Department of Transportation staff, statewide modal committees, and the final review committee, among others.

The projects ODOT is funding include the Morrow County Grain Processors’ Boardman rail transloading facility grain storage. Total project cost is $3 million with $2.1 million in Connect Oregon grant funds requested.

In Umatilla County, ODOT is helping fund Columbia Rail’s $989,000 Milton-Freewater area short line customer track expansion by granting $692,300 to the project.

Union County Airport’s fuel and maintenance facility improvement project, which is projected to cost $1.4 million, will receive $980,000 in Connect Oregon grant funds.