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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Young woman could use help after ordeal ... Commissioner Breidenthal to pay for side trip after fellow commissioners object ... Pot rules pack OLCC hearing in Medford ... Young woman could use help after ordeal ... Commissioner Breidenthal to pay for side trip after fellow commissioners object ... Pot rules pack OLCC hearing in Medford ... TRANSPORTATION Federal bill will give boost to Oregon transportation projects I-205 improvements and Newberg-Dundee bypass seen as top priorities Comment By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Dec. 4, 2015 at 5:43 PM By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Dec. 4, 2015 at 5:43 PM » Social News SALEM — A federal transportation bill signed Friday by President Barack Obama includes help for several Oregon transportation projects. The Oregon Department of Transportation says state and local highway funding will increase by 5 percent to $507 million in the first year, with additional hikes over the next four years. Oregon will also get a boost in transit funding. The money is not earmarked to specific projects. Obama signed the five-year, $305-billion bill a day after it was overwhelmingly approved by Congress to address the nation's aging and congested transportation systems. The bill is the first long-term transportation plan approved in years, ending a cycle of short-term fixes that have repeatedly rescued the Highway Trust Fund from insolvency. All seven members of Oregon's congressional delegation voted in favor of the legislation. Rep. Peter DeFazio and Sen. Ron Wyden, both Democrats, played lead roles in negotiating the plan. "This is a common-sense, bipartisan bill that provides our state and local governments with the certainty they need to begin to plan for long-term projects that bring our aging system into the 21st century," DeFazio said in a statement. In addition to the boost in funding, the Newberg-Dundee bypass and the Oregon portion of Interstate 205 were designated high-priority corridors, which makes it much more likely that they'll get federal funds in the future. The first phase of the Newberg-Dundee highway is already under construction to relieve the heavily congested Highway 99 in Oregon wine country. Interstate 205, a major artery through the Portland metro area, is also prone to backups. The two Oregon projects were among just eight projects added to the high-priority list. "Rebuilding our country's infrastructure creates much-needed certainty for businesses looking to invest and for state legislatures working to unsnarl transportation gridlock keeping too many workers stuck on the road instead of home with their families," Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden said in a statement. Additionally, the legislation included $95 million in grants for states to experiment with new funding mechanisms to replace the gas tax, which has funded highways for decades but has resulted in ever-declining revenue as vehicles become more fuel-efficient. ODOT says the money may help an Oregon program that's experimenting with a per-mile charge in the lieu of the gas tax. By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Dec. 4, 2015 at 5:43 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501