News

Portland State’s Center for Transportation Studies is earmarked to receive $16 million from the federal Transportation Equity Act: a Legacy for Users (TEA-LU) reauthorization conference bill approved this summer by Congress.

TEA-LU is a $286.5 billion reauthorization of federal highway, public transportation, highway safety, and motor carrier safety programs for fiscal years 2004 through 2009. Sixteen million dollars of the bill is designated to fund the PSU Center for Transportation Studies, directed by Robert Bertini, in collaboration with University of Oregon, Oregon State University, and Oregon Institute of Technology. The center will receive $2 million in 2005 and $3.5 million each year after that through 2009 for transportation research, education, and outreach programs.

President Dan Bernstine praised the efforts of U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, who led efforts in the conference committee, and committee member Rep. Earl Blumenauer. A reception honoring DeFazio’s efforts was held in the Park Blocks August 3.

Established in 1966, the Center for Transportation Studies is housed in the College of Urban and Public Affairs and involves faculty from the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science. The center offers five graduate degree programs in transportation planning and engineering, has awarded more than 50 of these degrees since 1998, and faculty teach more than 25 graduate courses specializing in transportation subjects.