Connect with us

Oregon

$600M in federal funding to go toward replacing I-5 bridge connecting Oregon and Washington

Published

on

$600M in federal funding to go toward replacing I-5 bridge connecting Oregon and Washington


PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The program tasked with replacing the century-old Interstate 5 bridge that connects Portland, Oregon, with southwest Washington, and serves as a vital transportation and commerce link, is set to receive $600 million in federal funds, state congressmembers said Friday.

Washington’s Democratic U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, and U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, announced the funding.

The bridge crosses the Columbia River and is a key component of I-5, which spans the entirety of the West Coast. Traffic congestion is frequent with more than 130,000 vehicles driving across it every day, according to regional transportation agencies.

“There are projects that are so big and so costly that oftentimes they don’t get funded, but they are linchpins to an economy that literally have regional and national significance to them. And the I-5 bridge is a perfect example of that,” Cantwell told The Associated Press. Projects like that need federal financial support, she said.

Advertisement

The aging bridge is at risk of collapse in the event of an earthquake. Funding will go toward building a replacement that is seismically resilient.

“There’s no way a hundred-year-old bridge is going to continue to grow with the capacity and the demand that we have,” Cantwell told the AP. “This is going to be a key investment to help change that.”

The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program will receive the money as part of a federal Department of Transportation grant initiative.

Murray, Washington’s other U.S. senator, has advocated for the project for decades and considers it a top priority.

“I am nothing short of ecstatic that Washington state can count on a truly historic influx of federal dollars,” she said in a joint news release with Cantwell and Gluesenkamp Perez.

Advertisement

Oregon officials also welcomed the funding. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley described it as a “game changer” that will “boost seismic resiliency in the region and ensure safer, faster, and more reliable transportation for generations to come.”

The money will come from the federal National Infrastructure Project Assistance program, which was created by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. Also known as the Mega program, it supports projects that are too large or complex for traditional funding programs.

The $600 million will cover between 8 to 12% of the total estimated bridge replacement costs, which could reach $7.5 billion, Washington’s congressmembers said.





Source link

Advertisement

Oregon

Oregon State University hosting in-person shark dissection at McMenamins 

Published

on

Oregon State University hosting in-person shark dissection at McMenamins 


PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon State University’s Big Fish Lab is giving a “grand finale” presentation of its educational “Summer of the Shark” series — which includes an in-person shark dissection — at McMenamins Bagdad Theater and Pub in Southeast Portland on July 23.

The event includes lectures on the types of sharks found on Oregon’s Coast, the lives of mother sharks and the risk of shark attacks. The event also includes trivia, discussions with local shark experts, and, once again, a shark dissection performed live.

“Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to meet Oregon’s shark scientists and learn about the important work they do,” Mcmenamins announced. “And we’ll be projecting the dissection onto the theater screen, so you don’t miss out on any of the details. And just in case you’re wondering, don’t worry: the shark died of natural causes.”

Doors open for the event at 6 p.m. and the show will run from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets for the event are $12 for adults and $8 kids 17 and younger.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Oregon

Oregon football: 2 Ducks land in 1st round of PFF’s way-too-early 2025 NFL mock draft

Published

on

Oregon football: 2 Ducks land in 1st round of PFF’s way-too-early 2025 NFL mock draft


Dan Lanning has done a great job of building a talented roster in Eugene as the Oregon Ducks football program is gearing up for what is expected to be a special season in 2024. And right along with that comes a lot of interest in possible draft picks. 

So, as Oregon football fans continue to get ready for the upcoming season, they should keep an eye on and start getting excited about the Oregon Ducks’ NFL prospects. In PFF’s recent way-too-early 2025 NFL mock draft, two standout Oregon football players are tabbed for getting picked up in the first round of the draft. 

While it might seem a little too early for way-too-early NFL draft content, PFF is literally called Pro Football Focus, so, you know, you can’t really blame them for getting excited about things.

Cornerback Jabbar Muhammad is the first Oregon Duck to land on the list. According to the good folks over at PFF, Muhammad is currently projected as the No. 24 overall pick, which would currently have him getting selected by the Green Bay Packers. 

Advertisement

At least he’d get to continue to wear yellow and green. That’s a good thing, right?

Over on the opposite side of the ball sits former Texas A&M Aggies transfer Evan Stewart, who appears poised to thrive as a wide receiver for the Oregon Ducks. Stewart missed a few games last year, but he has immense potential and PFF is currently projecting Stewart as the No. 26 pick in the draft, allowing him to go play for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Which, you know, more green. And a bird! 

There’s a lot that’s going to happen between now and the actual 2025 NFL Draft, but as it stands right now, this would be a solid job from Lanning and his coaching staff to develop these players and put them on the platform they need to get to the NFL.

As the season gets closer to getting underway, Oregon football fans should keep an eye on the performances made by Stewart and Muhammad, who could improve their standing in the NFL draft thanks to more strong showings this season.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Oregon

PHOTOS: Corgi Beach Takeover returns to Seaside for second year

Published

on

PHOTOS: Corgi Beach Takeover returns to Seaside for second year


About 1500 people attended from all over the country

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Almost 800 short-legged, round-butted canines stormed the beach at Seaside when the Corgi Beach Takeover returned for its second year on Saturday.

This year featured races, costume contests, a silent auction and dozens of raffle items in a fundraiser for the Oregon Humane Society. According to the shelter, the corgi meetup is one of their most important fundraising events.

Advertisement
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)

“You can’t help but smile when you attend Corgi Beach Takeover – it’s cuteness overload on a whole new level,” OHS Events Manager Shelby Hollenbeck said. “Plus, you can smile knowing that your registration is supporting the lifesaving programs at Oregon Humane Society.”

OHS estimated close to 1,500 people were in attendance, with participants traveling to Seaside from as far away as Southern California, Montana and Michigan.

Further, they project to have raised more than $15,000, all for the benefit of thousands of shelter pets.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending