Clayton Franke covers growth, development and transportation for
The ÅÝֱܽ²¥. A graduate of the University of Oregon's School of
Journalism and Communication, Clayton joined The ÅÝֱܽ²¥ in 2024.
He was born and raised in Missoula, Montana.Â
The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs will receive $15 million in federal funding for safety improvements to U.S. Highway 26, including a new roundabout, shared-use paths and projects to slow down drivers moving through Warm Springs.
The funding is part of $43 million in U.S. Department of Transportation infrastructure grants awarded by the federal agency, members of Oregon’s congressional delegation . Other projects include $25 million for an electric bus facility in Portland and $2.7 million for a transportation corridor in Salem.
Earlier this year the Biden-Harris administration announced through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant program, which provides funding for local governments for transportation projects emphasizing sustainability and community connectivity.
“Reimagining transportation systems across our state will benefit every Oregonian while creating good-paying jobs in communities that are in desperate need of 21st-century transportation routes,†U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley said in a news release.
Kacey Davey, ODOT spokesperson, said the $15 million will allow the agency to complete a handful of traffic safety improvements on the stretch of U.S. 26 that passes through the Warm Springs Reservation known as the A 2016 study identified traffic safety needs near Warm Springs, and $5 million of the work has already been completed with the remainder estimated to begin in 2027, Davey said.
“We were very excited to hear the news of this grant being awarded,†Davey said in an email.
Representatives from the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
The new roundabout will be constructed at the intersection of Highway 26 and Paiute Avenue, where the highway passes by the town of Warm Springs. A 10-foot-wide shared-use path will stretch from Warm Springs to the bridge crossing the Deschutes River. The new funding will also pay for pedestrian connections, bike improvements and access to existing transit stops.
Clayton Franke covers growth, development and transportation for
The ÅÝֱܽ²¥. A graduate of the University of Oregon's School of
Journalism and Communication, Clayton joined The ÅÝֱܽ²¥ in 2024.
He was born and raised in Missoula, Montana.Â
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