October 28, 2024

Merkley, Wyden Announce $5.3 Million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding for TriMet and PDX Projects

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that $5,360,000 in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds are headed to the Portland metro region for two transportation projects. The federal grants awarded will support the deployment of new digital technology for Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) light rail vehicles and fund airport terminal reconstruction efforts at Portland International Airport (PDX).

“Oregonians in every corner of our state should be able to get where they need to go safely and efficiently,” Merkley said. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was a once-in-a-generation investment that is bringing critical federal dollars to our communities for major transportation projects. These latest funds to Portland will deploy and connect technology on TriMet light rail vehicles to traffic signals—keeping Portlanders moving—and help fund energy efficiency and safety upgrades at PDX. I’ll keep fighting for investments like these to better connect cities and towns across Oregon.”

“From mass transit on the ground with TriMet to travel by air at PDX, I’m gratified these federal resources are headed to the metro area so commuters and travelers can get around more smoothly,” Wyden said. “I worked to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to generate investments just like these that expand modern, safe and energy-smart transportation opportunities throughout our state. And I’ll keep battling to bring similar transportation funds from this landmark law to every nook and cranny of Oregon.”

The two U.S. Department of Transportation awards and project descriptions can be found below:

$2,360,000 for TriMet’s Cloud Connectivity for Light Rail Vehicles. The program addresses safety, economic vitality and air quality challenges by deploying and connecting technology on light rail vehicles to traffic signals. This funding comes from the Federal Highway Administration’s Advanced Transportation Technologies and Innovative Mobility Deployment (ATTAIN) Program.

$3,000,000 for PDX to fund a portion of the terminal curtain wall reconstruction including replacement of approximately 14 revolving doors to increase energy efficiency and safety. This funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Terminal Program.

"TriMet appreciates the support of Oregon's congressional delegation and the Federal Highway Administration in obtaining this grant, which has wide-reaching benefits for MAX riders as well as other road users and community members," said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. "This investment will allow us to bring cutting-edge transit signal priority, currently employed on several TriMet bus lines, to the MAX system for the first time. This technology will provide more accurate estimated train arrival times at rail crossings, helping to reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. It will also improve TriMet's overall Transit-Tracker real-time arrival information for MAX, making the system more convenient and reliable for our riders."

“We’re thankful for the continued support of the federal delegation to improve energy efficiency, accessibility and safety at PDX,” said Curtis Robinhold, Executive Director of the Port of Portland. “This grant will help us renovate the 30-year-old entrance to PDX—which wasn’t touched during construction of the new main terminal—and modernize a key piece of our airport infrastructure.”

###