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The Portland City Council has authorized the Bureau of Transportation to apply to the U.S. Department of Transportation for three grants to help pay for critical improvements. The city will seek up to $20 million for safety upgrades and $5 million for paving on 122nd Avenue, up to $20 million for replacement of the Burgard Road Bridge, and up to $2 million for a railroad crossing elimination study.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill has opened doors of opportunity for federal money to help pay for numerous critical transportation improvements. Yet the amount of funding available pales in comparison to the need, and competition from other communities is fierce, PBOT analyst Mark Lear said during a City Council meeting on Wednesday.

鈥淩ight now, we think we’re in a strong position with some very competitive projects,鈥� he said.

122nd Avenue is a major safety issue in Portland, PBOT division manager Kristin Hull said on Wednesday. The corridor reportedly ranks in the top 5 percent of the region’s most dangerous. PBOT is developing a plan that includes safety improvements such as street lighting, crossings, speed reader boards and more. PBOT at this point has funding for only a paving project and a few crossings.

The Burgard Road Bridge is reportedly in poor condition and seismically vulnerable. A replacement project is expected to cost $15 million. Allocation of grant money would require a 20 percent local match.

The proposed Central Eastside Railroad Crossing Elimination Study would examine in detail the growing issue of long freight train blockages of transportation routes in the Central Eastside and identify strategies to address issues.
鈥淚f you travel through the Central Eastside, you may have experienced delays related to freight trains running through the district,鈥� Hull said.

For all three grants, funding sources exist to cover proposed matches.