Background:
The Rogue Valley Area Commission on Transportation (RVACT) and the Rogue
Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), of which Ashland is a member
of both, have been diligently preparing for transportation priorities.
Transportation priorities are based on regional needs and deficiencies and
are fully processed through the STIP (State Transportation Improvement Program).
The 2006-2009 STIP is in the final stages of approval and includes the I-5
Fern Valley Road Interchange project to widen the structure overpass and
realign the road. This is one of the highest priorities for the Rogue Valley
and will go a long way toward improving the transportation network in the
south valley region. This project has a federal earmark for funding a significant
portion of the $28.7M project, which is slated for 2007 funding year and
depends upon the full authorization of the next transportation bill (or a
further extension of the existing legislation).
The many issues involved in renewing the massive funding bill for highways,
bridges, transit, safety and other transportation investments, known currently
as "TEA-21", will be revisited in the 109th Congress. Committee leaders want
to move TEA-21 legislation to the full House and Senate in March to allow
for conference negotiations in April. Once conferees reach an agreement,
the House and Senate must approve the legislation again before it goes to
the President for his signature or veto. This schedule is driven by the May
31, 2005 deadline set forth in the last extension law. |
