August 17, 2022 9:30 a.m.

The Umpqua Public Transportation District is getting over $4.6 million to build a maintenance facility, pay for three electric buses and more.

UPTD board member Mike Baker said the funds are part of over $1.6 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding announced by the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration on Tuesday. An FTA release said investments are being made in 150 bus fleets and facilities nationwide to nearly double the number of no-emission transit buses on America’s roads.

Baker said the local district had previously purchased a vacant parcel of land to the west of its building on Northeast Diamond Lake Boulevard to construct bus parking and a maintenance facility and a bus wash. Baker said UPTD recently received a grant of over $2 million to handle phase 1 of the project, which will handle design, site preparation, utilities and paving.

Baker said the new grant is for $4,632,000. The project will also feature covered parking with solar panels and three bus charging facilities. Training for drivers and mechanics will also be covered by the grant, according to Baker.

Jennifer Boardman, Regional Transit Coordinator for the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Public Transportation Division said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for the Roseburg area, and for Region 3”.

Baker is also the ODOT Planning and Program Manager for Region 3.