A coalition of freight and commerce businesses is lauding the state Legislature’s recent passage of a $16.2 billion transportation investment package – one that includes some $240 million in transportation infrastructure investments for Southwest Washington over the next 16 years.
The following statement was issued on Monday by the Southwest Washington Freight and Commerce Task Force (SW FACT), a private sector coalition operated by Identity Clark County to advocate for funding and advancement of projects that improve freight and commerce mobility:
“We are delighted that six of our dozen top priority projects were funded as part of the state legislature’s transportation package,” the group wrote. “These projects, many which begin this biennium, will improve access to our regional ports and to commercial and industrial properties and help fuel our economy by improving the flow of freight and commerce. We will continue to pursue funding solutions for other key projects, including underdeveloped portions of State Route 14 and the eventual replacement of the antiquated I-5 bridge, which requires generating broad support from both Oregon and Washington.”
A few of the local projects receiving transportation package investments are the freeway interchange at I-5 and Mill Plain Blvd (rebuild); the Northeast 179th Street interchange on I-5 (rebuild); and a railroad overpass in Ridgefield.
SW FACT works in close coordination with public agencies, ports, planning bodies, economic development interests, and the region’s local, state and federal elected officials.
