Legislative Policies for the 2007 Oregon Legislative Session

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City of Eugene Legislative Policies for 2007 Oregon Legislative Session City of Eugene Legislative Policies for 2007 Oregon Legislative Session A1. Highway Trust Fund The City of Eugene supports the high-speed rail corridor track, improvements which have The City will continue to work for funding that meets the needs of the community. now begun to reduce travel times and increase grade crossing safety in urban areas. Over Expenditures from the Highway Trust Fund should continue to be dedicated to a the past five years, the entire Eugene-Springfield area has mobilized as a region to comprehensive, integrated system of streets, highways and other transportation systems. support the creation of this high-speed rail corridor. Not only will this bring closer cultural Long-term preservation of the existing public investment in the transportation system and economic ties throughout the Pacific Northwest, but will also mean fewer cars on should be the first funding priority for Trust Fund revenues. Interstate 5. This reduction invehicle-miles-traveled will, in turn ,postpone the need for expensive road expansions, allow passengers and freight to move more quickly, and Distribution of the Highway Trust Fund should be equitable and should be made improve air quality. cooperatively with local jurisdictions. Priority funding for projects should be considered when a local match is available, either in direct project financing or in right-of-way Public acquisition, restoration and improvement of the Eugene Amtrak terminal, which has acquisition, design and engineering. garnered funding from the recent TEA-21 legislation, are also essential components of the overall passenger rail program. Recommendations ~ Support Highway Trust Fund use for.• Recommendations o bike path right-of way acquisition, construction and maintenance; ~ Support a service budget le vel of $10f million in State funding for intercity rail o public transit; and service. o alternative transportation modes, including, but not limited to, light rail, ~ Support federal in vestment in passenger rail and ensure that funds are provided to electric trolley and shuttle bus systems. match Oregon's investments in track improvements and capital projects undertaken ~ Support distribution of Highway Trust Funds that are equitable and made by local governments. cooperatively with local jurisdictions. ~ Continue to advocate for additional funds and technologies to reduce interference ~ Support priority funding for projects when a local match is a vailable. and delays between freight trains and passenger trains sharing the same tracks. ~ SupportadditionalpIanning and construction funds forlocal communities to improve. A2. Oregon Transportation Plan safety atgrade crossings, upgrade rail beds and acquire rights-of way to facilitate The City has strongly supported the Oregon Transportation Plan, ODOT'slong-term, `passing"areas forpassengertrains-and freighttrains. intermodal transportation planning effort. The City urges the Legislature to adopt ~ SupportmatchingfundingfortheStateforfederalrailandstation projects in the measures to incrementally implement the plan's strategies for providing Oregon with a corridor. comprehensive, adequate transportation system. C. COMMUNITY LIVABILITY -OREGON LIVABILITY INITIATIVE Recommendations Livable, healthy cities form the foundation of a healthy, vibrant state. State agencies, ~ Supportall efforts to implement the Oregon Transportation Plan which are through the Community Solutions Team and other efforts, including the "Oregon Livability consistent with adopted Citypolicies. Initiative," are focusing attention on community-based solutions and investments. The' ~ Support the State's partnership, including funding, in efforts to implement projects initiative seeks to revitalize downtowns and main streets, reduce sprawl and traffic on state highways in Eugene thataddress the goals of the Oregon Transportation congestion, reward development of affordable housing and rebuild rural and distressed Plan which are consistent with the City's growth management policies. economies. ~ Continue to seek the City's fair share of funds for local transportation systems as available in the future Connect Oregon rounds. Oregon's population has grown by over 500,000 since 1990. In the next 20 years, the population is expected to grow by another 700,000. The Oregon Livability Initiative B. RAIL SERVICE leverages existing revenues to invest in affordable housing, transportation, water, sewer The City strongly supports ODOT efforts to promote improved, high-speed, customer- ~ and main streets. The Community Incentive Fund, created by the Oregon Legislature in friendly passenger rail service in Oregon and to obtain the matching federal and state 1999 in HB 2088, provides millions of dollars in gap. financing and technical assistance to funds needed to make track improvements to support faster service. local communities and state agencies working to improve their communities. The City of Eugene is pursuing funding under these initiatives to revitalize its downtown and to help. its In 1999, the Oregon Legislature approved funds for a second round trip train and fora community partners with affordable housing strategies.. network of connecting motorcoaches. In October 2000, Amtrak began amid-morning departure from Eugene with an early evening return from Portland to Eugene. Ridership Recommendations has shown encouraging gains in the past seven years. The presence of connecting ~ Continue to support the Oregon Livability Initiative, and encourage additional motorcoaches allows passengers from rural areas of Oregon to connect to trains in fundingforthe Communitylncentive Fund. Eugene and Portland. ~ Support the continuation and expansion of the joint Oregon Department of Transportation and Department of Land Conservation and Development Transportation and Growth Management Program, and urge that its approach to 18 19