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Public acquisition, restoration and improvement of the Eugene Amtrak terminal, which has 2. Support the continuation and expansion of the joint Oregon Deparhnent of <br />Transportation <br /> garnered funding from the recent TEA-211egislation, are also essential components of the overall and Department of Land Conservation and Development Transportation and <br />Growth <br /> passenger rail program. Management program, and urge that its approach to providing funding and assistance to <br /> local communities be incorporated throughout ODOT. <br /> Recommendations: <br /> 3. Support ODOT pilot projects conducted in conjunction with local governments to explore <br /> 1. Support a service budget level of $9+ million in state funding for intercity rail service. lower cost remedies to traffic and congestion problems faced by cities <br />and counties <br /> across the state. <br /> 2. Support federal investment in passenger rail and ensure that funds are provided to match <br /> Oregon's investments in track improvements and capital projects undertaken by local 4, Support the use of State Highway Funds allocated to ODOT spent "off system" when <br />it <br /> governments. provides a more cost effective and livable alternative to spending funds on the State <br /> system, and support legislation to enhance flexible uses of these dollars. <br /> 3. Continue to advocate for additional funds and technologies to reduce interference and <br /> delays between freight trains and passenger trains sharing the same tracks. 5. Support changes in ODOT access management policies that enhance community <br /> livability, and oppose attempts to shift costs related to highway capacity to local <br /> 4. Support additional planning and construction funds for local communities to improve government. <br /> safety at grade crossings, upgrade rail beds and acquire rights-of way to facilitate <br /> "passing" areas for passenger trains and freight trains. <br /> C). CONGESTION PRICING <br /> 5. Support matching funding for the State for federal rail and station projects in the corridor. <br /> Traffic congestion can affect the economy and the environment. One strategy to reduce <br /> C. COMMUNITY LNABILITY -OREGON LIVABILITY INITIATIVE congestion in growing urban areas maybe congestion pricing, in order to shift vehicle travel <br /> times through pricing mechanisms. <br /> Livable, healthy cities form the foundation of a healthy, vibrant state. State agencies through the Recommendations: <br /> Community Solutions Team and other efforts, including the Governor's "Oregon Livability <br /> Initiative," are focusing attention on community-based solutions and investments. The initiative 1. Support efforts to implement road pricing methods that significantly <br />reduce congestion. <br /> seeks to revitalize downtowns and main streets, reduce sprawl and traffic congestion, reward 'Support local jurisdictions seeking to implement demonstration pricing projects. <br /> development of affordable housing and rebuild_rural and distressed economies. ° <br /> Oregon's population has grown by 500,000 since 1990. In the next 20 years, our population is E. FEDERAL FiTNDS <br /> expected to grow by another 700,000. Governor Kitzhaber's Oregon Livability Initiative <br /> leverages existing revenues to invest in affordable housing, transportation, water, sewer and main Led by a concerted bipartisan effort of Oregon's congressional delegation, <br />Oregon has <br /> streets. The Community Incentive Fund, created by the Oregon Legislature in 1999 in HB 2088, substantially benefited from the Transportation Equity Act for the 21 Century <br />(TEA-21). TEA-21 <br /> provides $5 million in gap financing and technical assistance to local communities and state maintained provisions that ensure metropolitan areas have direct access to <br />federal funds, and <br /> agencies working to improve their communities. The City of Eugene is pursuing funding under allows for local accountability in selecting and programming projects. <br /> these initiatives to revitalize its downtown and to help its community partners with affordable <br /> housing strategies. Recommendation: <br /> Recommendations: 1. Work closely with city, county and transit transportation planners to prepare for the <br /> reauthorization of TEA-21, already delayed from 2004. <br /> 1. Continue to support the. Governor's Oregon Livability Initiative, and encourage <br /> additional funding for the Community Incentive Fund. <br /> <br /> City of Eugene Legislative Policies, 2005 Session 21 City of Eugene Legislative Policies, 2005 Session 22 <br /> <br />