Subcommittee approves ODOT application for Bullards Bridge bike‑pedestrian study grant

The Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee voted to approve ODOT’s application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for a BUILD (formerly RAISE) grant to fund a feasibility and preliminary design study for a separate pedestrian and bicycle bridge adjacent to the existing Bullards Bridge on U.S. 101. The agency requested $3,200,000 in grant funds with $800,000 in matching funds.

The study would examine whether a new pedestrian‑and‑bike structure can be built adjacent to the existing 1954 span, which ODOT staff described as “incredibly narrow” at about 26 feet and lacking space for a bike lane or sidewalk. “It has been renamed to the BUILD grant. However, the criteria remain unchanged and the deadline as of today also remains unchanged,” ODOT Delivery and Operations Division Administrator Amy Ramsdell said during the work session.

Why it matters: committee members said the project could improve safety for coastal residents and tourists who use the scenic U.S. 101 bikeway, and some noted potential emergency‑access benefits. Ramsdell said the concept would “provide separation for bicyclists and pedestrians from motorists along that scenic bikeway on 101.” She also said a seismic‑resilient design is being considered so the bridge could allow limited vehicle access if needed following a major earthquake.

Key details: ODOT officials described how they plan to fund the match using IIJA flexible funds allocated by the Oregon Transportation Commission; ODOT Budget Manager Russ Casler explained that those federal IIJA funds have been swapped into state projects and the freed state dollars are used as match on some projects. “The IIJA flexible funds were allocated by the Oregon Transportation Commission when IIJA was originally passed,” Casler said.

Committee discussion focused on prioritization and cost prudence. Several legislators expressed concern about spending several million dollars on a planning study without a firm estimate of construction cost, and at least one legislator urged staff to consider whether replacing the existing auto bridge later could be coordinated with a new bike‑pedestrian facility to avoid building two separate crossings. A senator described the planning cost as “a luxury item” given constrained state transportation resources but offered a courtesy yes; several other members likewise recorded courtesy or conditional yes votes.

The subcommittee’s legislative fiscal office recommended approval; the committee carried the recommendation and recorded a roll call. The recorded vote was six yeas and one no (Representative Winn — yes; Representative Scarlottis — no; Representative Juanati — yes; Co‑chair Gomberg — aye; Senator Meek — courtesy yes; Senator Starr — yes; Co‑chair Woods — courtesy yes). The motion passed.

Next steps: committee chairs said ODOT would carry the item forward to the full ways and means process for further consideration and that staff should provide additional cost and coordination information if the project advances.