76th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2011 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
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 LC 4018
 
                     House Joint Memorial 22
 
Sponsored by Representatives KOTEK, BEYER, Senators BEYER, STARR;
  Representatives BENTZ, READ, Senator ATKINSON
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Urges federal government to fund Columbia River Crossing
Project.
 
                         JOINT MEMORIAL
To the President of the United States and the Senate and the
  House of Representatives of the United States of America, in
  Congress assembled:
  We, your memorialists, the Seventy-sixth Legislative Assembly
of the State of Oregon, in legislative session assembled,
respectfully represent as follows:
  Whereas Interstate 5 is the only continuous north-south
interstate highway on the west coast and provides a vital
commerce and travel corridor that links the United States, Canada
and Mexico, including the states of Oregon, Washington and
California; and
  Whereas the Columbia River Crossing Project is a long-term,
comprehensive solution to address major issues concerning public
safety, quality of life and economic vitality along five miles of
Interstate 5 between Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington,
issues that have significance for the region and for the State of
Oregon; and
  Whereas a completed Columbia River Crossing Project will be
built to withstand a major earthquake, reduce the number of
traffic accidents, reduce congestion, improve freight mobility
and enhance transit options; and
  Whereas the Columbia River Crossing Project, a project of
national significance that will expand the capacity of the
Interstate 5 bridges between Oregon and Washington, is a crucial
transportation project; and
  Whereas the Columbia River Crossing Project would create 20,000
new and sustained jobs by providing improved access to ports and
highways; and
  Whereas the annual flow of $40 billion worth of interstate and
international commerce across the Interstate 5 bridges to nearby
ports, businesses and distribution facilities must be improved;
and
  Whereas any Interstate 5 bridge must meet the needs of local
residents and the business community, who rely on the
transportation system to get people to places and products to
markets safely and effectively; and
  Whereas the Project Sponsors Council in August 2010 unanimously
recommended to the Governors of Oregon and Washington to move
ahead with the development and construction of a new 10-lane
multimodal Interstate 5 bridge that will include light rail,
improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities and improvements to
seven interchanges in the five-mile impact area; and
  Whereas the Oregon Legislative Assembly agrees that the project
will be financed by a shared commitment of federal, state and
local funding; and
  Whereas the Oregon and Washington transportation and planning
agencies are working together at the local, state and federal
levels to finalize the design and maximize environmental,
economic and community benefits in the Columbia River Crossing
Project area; and
  Whereas the completion and future management of the Columbia
River Crossing Project will require the State of Oregon and the
State of Washington to maintain a strong partnership; and
  Whereas the State of Oregon and the State of Washington will do
their parts to complete the Columbia River Crossing Project on
time and on budget; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
  Oregon:
  (1) The Seventy-sixth Legislative Assembly respectfully urges
the federal government of the United States of America to partner
with the states of Oregon and Washington and invest federal
highway and transit funding in the Columbia River Crossing
Project in recognition of the national benefits of the project.
  (2) A copy of this memorial shall be sent to the President of
the United States, to the Senate Majority Leader, to the Speaker
of the House of Representatives, to each member of the Oregon
Congressional Delegation and to the United States Secretary of
Transportation.
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