Commissioner Paulson advocates for Oregon funding for Hood River Bridge replacement

The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Capital Construction convened on May 9, 2025, to discuss critical funding initiatives aimed at enhancing infrastructure and community resilience in Oregon. The meeting featured testimonies from various stakeholders advocating for significant projects that promise to bolster economic renewal and improve public safety.

The first speaker highlighted the River project, which aims to transform a 340-seat venue in the Mackenzie Valley, replacing a church lost in the 2020 holiday farm fire. The initiative, supported by a donation of four acres, focuses on community recovery and economic development. The River will operate as a nonprofit, generating revenue to support local businesses and provide grants to community organizations. Key features of the project include a resiliency hub for shared resources and a disaster relief center designed to meet modern safety standards.

Following this, Grant Paulson, Commissioner of the Hood River White Salmon Bridge Authority, presented a case for funding the replacement of the aging Hood River Bridge. He noted that the bridge, over a century old, has a low sufficiency score of 7 out of 100. The current financial plan requires a total of $150 million from both Oregon and Washington. Washington has already committed $125 million, and Paulson urged Oregon to allocate the remaining $105 million to secure federal support. He referenced House Bill 2184, which calls for $75 million in the 2025-2027 biennium and an additional $30 million in the 2027-2029 biennium.

The discussions underscored the importance of these projects in fostering regional connectivity and community resilience. The committee's next steps will involve reviewing the funding requests and considering the implications for local economies and infrastructure development in Oregon.