The U.S. House Tuesday passed a bipartisan proposal offered by Oregon Congressmen Greg Walden and Earl Blumenauer and Washington Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler to make transportation projects in national scenic areas eligible for federal grants.  In a floor speech in support of the amendment attached to a long-term transportation bill, Walden said the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area has a strong need for regional transportation planning and improvement to major transportation elements, particularly the Hood River Interstate Bridge and the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks.  Herrera Beutler added that when the Bridge of the Gods had to undergo repairs in 2013, one of the largest employers in Skamania County had to relocate part of their operations just to transport their goods across the river, and the safety of residents was impacted because large emergency vehicles could not cross the bridge.