Albina reconnection project called a national blueprint for federal funding [Video]

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – Portland’s Albina district is being recognized by the federal government for a local nonprofit’s plans to revitalize the Eastside neighborhood long divided by I-5.

On Tuesday, the future of hundreds of millions in funding was the topic of celebration among officials and local leaders.

“For over 60 years we’ve seen communities where transportation has been able to connect communities, brought prosperity, brought access,” said acting U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Undersecretary Christopher Coes. “Also, we’ve seen where infrastructure investments and even land use decisions have brought harm.”

Coes said that’s why the Biden administration created the Reconnecting Communities Fund. Albina was split apart by the construction of I-5 in the 1940′s, and now, it is the recipient of $485 million- the DOT’s largest investment as part of the federal project.

“Even if you have …