McMINNVILLE, Ore. (AP) A key legislative committee has approved $192 million for the Newberg-Dundee Bypass project to ease congestion on Highway 99W through Yamhill County.
The bypass is part of a $960 million transportation package approved by a joint transportation committee.
The 11-mi. (17.7 km) bypass has been discussed since World War II. The cost could run anywhere from $423 million to $620 million, not counting right-of-way acquisition.
The $192 million approved by the committee would fund the first phase, a 6-mi. (6.7 km) stretch between the Highway 219 intersection north of Newberg and the Fulquartz Road intersection south of Dundee.
Political and financial problems had brought the project to a virtual standstill last year.
