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7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rose Quarter Improvement Project's $450 million in federal grants in question, ODOT says
Editor's note: This story was updated to more accurately reflect the status of the federal grant money. PORTLAND, Ore. () — Hundreds of millions of dollars of federal grant money set aside for the Rose Quarter Improvement Project is now in question after the recent passage of President Donald Trump's spending and tax bill, officials said. Federal grants totaling $450 million was originally awarded to the project, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. However, now over $400 million of that amount could be at risk of being rescinded, officials said, though ODOT is still trying to clarify this with the Federal Highway Administration. The money was promised as part of the Reconnecting Community and Neighborhoods program for restorative projects for infrastructure across the nation. Oregon music festival to conclude with 2025 event With Congress' approval of Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' that federal grant money could be at risk of being eliminated, according to Rose Gerber, a spokesperson for ODOT's Rose Quarter Project. The Rose Quarter Improvement Project aims to make safety and congestion improvements in Oregon's busiest bottleneck, Gerber said. That grant money, specifically, was earmarked for building a highway cover and central core, adding an auxiliary lane and shoulder from I-405 to the Morrison Bridge exit and extending an auxiliary lane and shoulder under the highway cover, among other project elements. 'This portion of the project design is at the heart of ODOT's commitment to addressing the negative economic and social impact due to the construction of I-5 in the early 1960s,' Gerber said. Some Oregon state dollars have been secured for the project to complete needed bridge work and stormwater facilities near I-405, which would set the stage for the larger aspects of the construction project to take place, ODOT said. Level 3 'Go Now' evacuations issued for Salem fire 'Of the $450 million granted to the project, $37.5 million for design and utility relocation has been obligated for spending for the project,' Gerber said. That $37.5 million portion of the federal grants is effectively 'protected from rescission,' she said. The transportation agency is still in the process of analyzing and understanding the impact of the recently passed federal spending bill, which was signed into law on July 4. Gerber said ODOT is 'committed to this project' and will continue working with local and federal partners in the coming weeks to carve a path forward. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement director resigns as project faces funding uncertainty
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The director of the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project — which aims to improve safety and congestion in a strip of the interstate — resigned from her position as the project faces funding uncertainty. A spokesperson for the project confirmed Project Director Megan Channell's resignation to KOIN 6 News, noting the former director submitted her resignation letter on June 23. In her resignation letter, obtained by KOIN 6, Channell wrote, 'Over the past nine years, I have worked to advance the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project through its many stages of planning, community engagement, design and environmental and now, shifting into the construction phase. I am incredibly proud of what the project team has accomplished together. With the project now entering this new phase, I believe this is the right time for my departure.' Parents out thousands as Beehive NW closes abruptly Channel continued, 'I remain committed to ensuring a smooth transition in the weeks ahead and will do everything I can to support an effective transition for the project's continued success.' According to the project spokesperson, Channell's final day on the job was Monday. 'We will be relying on key team members to support and carry forward the responsibilities of the project director until we permanently hire for the role,' the spokesperson told KOIN 6. 'We don't have a timeline to fill this role right now.' Travel + Leisure names 2 Pacific Northwest small towns among most beautiful in US Channell's resignation comes as the funding, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation, which oversees the Rose Quarter project. Federal grants totaling $450 million was originally awarded to the project, however, over $400 million of the funding could be at risk of being rescinded, ODOT said July 9, noting the agency was working to clarify this with the Federal Highway Administration. The money was promised as part of the Reconnecting Community and Neighborhoods program for restorative projects for infrastructure across the nation. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now With Congress' approval of Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' the federal grant money could be at risk of being eliminated, according to Rose Gerber, a spokesperson for ODOT's Rose Quarter Project. The Rose Quarter Improvement Project aims to make safety and congestion improvements in Oregon's busiest bottleneck. That grant money was earmarked for building a highway cover and central core, adding an auxiliary lane and shoulder from I-405 to the Morrison Bridge exit and extending an auxiliary lane and shoulder under the highway cover, among other project elements. 'This portion of the project design is at the heart of ODOT's commitment to addressing the negative economic and social impact due to the construction of I-5 in the early 1960s,' project spokesperson Rose Gerber said. For-sale Portland Trail Blazers need a new arena, NBA Commissioner Silver says Some Oregon state dollars have been secured for the project to complete needed bridge work and stormwater facilities near I-405, which would set the stage for the larger aspects of the construction project to take place, ODOT said. 'Of the $450 million granted to the project, $37.5 million for design and utility relocation has been obligated for spending for the project,' Gerber said. That $37.5 million portion of the federal grants is effectively 'protected from rescission,' she said. Gerber previously told KOIN 6 that ODOT is 'committed to this project' and will continue working with local and federal partners in the coming weeks to carve a path forward. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
