Ontario, Joseph and La Grande on project list for Oregon Community Paths Program
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Friday, April 16th, 2021 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Featured Stories More Top Stories
ONTARIO – Release from ODOT) Building new trails, extending current paths and planning for future off-road investments are among the projects recommended for funding in the new Oregon Community Paths Program. Altogether, the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee recommends funding 18 projects totaling $11.3 million. The recommendation now goes to the Oregon Transportation Committee for final approval at its May meeting.
The Oregon Community Paths Program, or OCP, is a new program dedicated to help plan and build off-road walking and biking paths that connect communities and destinations. It’s a key contributor to ODOT’s Strategic Action Plan, as it adds to the agency’s priorities of equity, a modern transportation system and sufficient and reliable funding. Funded by Keep Oregon Moving (HB 2017), the program also aims to improve safety for walkers, bikers and other personal mobility device users.
Two types of projects are funded through OCP: construction and preliminary planning (or project refinement). The recommended projects for funding are:
| Applicant | Project Title | Type of Project |
| Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission | Kestrel Park Bridge – Bear Creek Greenway Extension | Construction |
| Astoria | Riverwalk Trail Continuation of Lighting East | Construction |
| Chiloquin | Chiloquin Community Safe and Healthy Connections | Construction |
| Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation | Tribal Services Center Access Path | Construction |
| Corvallis | Tunison Community Path | Project Refinement |
| Eugene | Eugene Berkeley Park Path | Construction |
| Hermiston | Belt Park Greenway Trail | Construction |
| Independence | South Willamette River Trail Refinement | Project Refinement |
| Joseph Branch Trail Consortium | Joseph Branch Rail with Trail | Project Refinement |
| La Grande | City of La Grande Critical Link Project Refinement | Project Refinement |
| Madras | Juniper Hills to Madras East Trails Multiuse Connection Project | Construction |
| Medford | Larson Creek Path Repaving: Black Oak to Murphy Rd | Construction |
| Ontario | Ontario North-South Connector | Project Refinement |
| Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District | Westside Trail Segments 14-18 Master Plan (Preferred Alignment) | Project Refinement |
| Tualatin | Tualatin River Greenway Trail Extension | Construction |
| Warrenton | Tansy Point Connection NW 11th Path | Project Refinement |
| Wasco County (NWCPRD) | Mill Creek Greenway | Construction |
| Washington County LU&T | Reedville Trail | Construction |
Background
In November 2020, ODOT received 81 letters of interest for the OCP program, totaling $105 million. Those letters determined to be eligible for the program were invited to apply for funding. In January 2021, ODOT received 57 applications from across the state for the OCP Grant Program, totaling $35 million. The Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee met on March 24 and approved a recommended project list for the Oregon Community Paths Grant Program for the Oregon Transportation Commission’s consideration at its May meeting.
Next step
- May 13: Oregon Transportation Commission reviews the recommendation for discussion and decision-making. OTC meeting materials will be available two weeks before the meeting.
More information about the Oregon Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee
The Oregon Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee advises ODOT in program policy and recommendations for funding allocation for both the Oregon Community Paths Infrastructure Program and Ped-Bike Program. The Oregon Community Paths Program is guided by OAR 731-036, created in January 2020 for state OCP funding.
