A total of 37 multimodal projects around the state, including improvements at the Redmond, Bend and Madras airports, top the list of recommendations for $42.3 million in funding provided by the ConnectOregon V program.

The three Central Oregon projects that made the cut total $2.34 million.

Topping the prioritized funding recommendations is $1.22 million toward the Redmond Municipal Airport (Roberts Field) Runway 4-22 rehabilitation, a project expected to cost $19.6 million in total.

Fourth on the list, $792,000 for Madras Municipal Airport improvements (total project cost $4.5 million) and No. 11 is $326,700 for the Bend Municipal Airport’s Helicopter Operations Area (a #3.42 m,.

Savings from earlier ConnectOregon projects added $369,189.63 to the legislatively-approved $42 million.

The program’s final review committee met in Portland Wednesday to review recommendations from several earlier volunteer review committees. Recommended projects, ranging from railroad improvements to bicycle paths, now go to the Oregon Transportation Commission for final approval.

The OTC will hold a public hearing on the recommendations at its July 17 meeting in Salem and make a final decision at its August 21-22 meeting in Ontario.

A summary of the recommended projects shows 15 percent of funds going to aviation projects; 17 percent going to bicycle/pedestrian projects; 26 percent going to port/marine projects; 32 percent going to rail projects; and 8 percent going to transit projects.

The legislation requires no less than 10 percent of the funds be distributed to each of the state’s five geographic regions, provided there are qualified projects in the region. The summary shows that requirement was met.

The ConnectOregon program focuses on improving connections between Oregon highways and all other modes: marine/ports, aviation, public transit, bicycle/pedestrian and rail. Dedicated to non-highway projects,

ConnectOregon was first approved by the Oregon legislature in 2005 and has funded more than 140 projects around the state.

For ConnectOregon V, 104 applications, requesting a total of $124 million were evaluated by modal committees and regional committees before going to the final review committee.

Other Central Oregon projects that sought but are not recommended for funding are $50,000 for the city of Redmond’s Homestead Canal Trail, Phase II; $733,259 for Sisters Airport Property LLC’s capital improvements; $463,143 for the city of Prineville’s Rails to Trails project; $792,048 for the city of Prineville’s airport aircraft apron and fuel tanks; and $287,720 for Sisters Runway Inc and Sisters Airport Property LLC for a Sisters bike-pedestrian path and bike share program.

ConnectOregon includes both grants and loans for private sector applicants, municipalities, cities, counties, governing organizations, and other transportation-related entities.

Criteria for qualified projects include readiness for construction, economic benefit and value in linking transportation modes. To see details, visit the ConnectOregon website.