INFRASTRUCTURE
A region’s road infrastructure is in many ways its backbone. In areas like Tillamook County (with an average 90 inches of annual rainfall) that depend heavily on smooth movement of traffic along its rivers and roads, that road/river interface becomes even more critical. The numbers from Tillamook County indicate that improvement – and help - is needed. Between 1996 and 2000, Tillamook County reports losses from flooding of more than $60 million. However, between 2009 and 2013, Tillamook County’s road fund revenues and staffing were cut by 50 percent. The Salmon SuperHwy was founded in part as a response to this emerging crisis, and is working hard to build a safe road network that meets the needs of both people and fish. Over the last 10 years, we have upgraded 18 failing culverts on county roads, and plan to replace at least 16 more in the coming years to assure human safety, a robust economy and free access for migratory fish across Tillamook County. By assuring each project has multiple benefits, fundraising is easier.