Latest news with #JointCommitteeonTransportation
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hood River-White Salmon Bridge project secures Washington funds, eyes $105M from Oregon
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge replacement project is seeing progress after Washington approved additional funding to replace the 100-year-old bridge, with eyes on Oregon to match funds. In a late May press release, the lauded Washington state lawmakers who committed another $50 million to the project, which was signed into law by Governor Bob Ferguson on May 21. The $50 million from the Evergreen State adds to the state's previous commitment of $75 million in 2023 for a total of $125 million dedicated to building a safer bridge. 'Something was not right': Oregon Coast safari park received complaints for nearly a decade 'We deeply appreciate the strong backing from lawmakers in Olympia, especially Senator Curtis King, whose long-standing commitment to this project has been instrumental,' said HRWSBA Co-Chair Jacob Anderson. 'We're also thankful for the leadership and advocacy of Senator Paul Harris, Representative David Stuebe, and Representative Kevin Waters, and statewide leaders on transportation policy like Senator Marko Liias, Representative Jake Fey, and Representative Andrew Barkis.' 'This funding shows that Washington is stepping up for this critical bi-state connection and the communities that rely on it,' continued Anderson. 'With Oregon matching that commitment, both states can send a unified message to federal partners: this project is a priority, and we're ready to deliver.' As Washington's legislative session has come to an end, the authority is now eyeing Oregon House Bill 2184, which would allocate $105 million to the project and would help the state match Washington's financial commitments. CC Slaughters, one of Portland's oldest LGBTQ+ bars, to close for good in August Led by Oregon Senate Minority Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) and Rep. Jeff Helfrich (R-Hood River), the bill passed the Joint Committee on Transportation in April and is now being considered in the Ways and Means Committee. In the meantime, the bridge authority is urging Oregon lawmakers to pass the funding. 'We truly appreciate the great support from Senator Bonham and Representative Helfrich, and applaud the Transportation Committee for their support, especially committee co-chairs Representative Susan McLain and Senator Chris Gorsek,' said Mike Fox, HRWSBA co-chair. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'Time is of the essence,' continued Fox. 'Construction costs are rising and demands on our transportation system are growing. Our local communities and broader region rely on this crossing every day. The new Hood River-White Salmon Bridge will only get built on time and within budget with all partners contributing their share.' During an April 1 Joint Committee on Transportation hearing in the Oregon legislature, Rep. Helfrich described the bill as a 'critical lifeline for our bi-state communities.' The state representative also highlighted his previous service as a police officer for 25 years, explaining that a new bridge would be a 'vital link' in emergencies such as wildfires or earthquakes or other life-and-death situations. Candlelight vigil marks 15th anniversary of Kyron Horman's disappearance 'The time to act and build this new bridge is now,' Helfrich urged the committee, noting further federal funds for the project hinges on Oregon committing the funds to the project. In written testimony, submitted to the transportation committee, HRWSBA Co-chair Fox detailed the need for a new bridge, telling committee members, 'Most of you have crossed the old bridge yourselves—perhaps gripping the wheel a little tighter as a semi passes just inches away in the opposite lane. You've seen firsthand the condition of the bridge, which was built in 1924 for cattle and Model Ts—not for the demands of today's traffic, commerce, or safety standards.' 'The current bridge is too narrow, with no shoulders or space for emergency vehicles, let alone bikes and pedestrians. At just 9½ feet per lane, trucks routinely straddle the centerline. It's weight-restricted, unable to handle modern freight, and poses growing safety and mobility risks. We've long known it wasn't built to withstand a major earthquake—but recent geotechnical surveys revealed that many of its foundations aren't even anchored to bedrock. Instead, they rest in compacted gravel now known to be vulnerable to liquefaction. Out of a score of 100, ODOT's sufficiency rating for this bridge is a 7,' Fox stated. According to the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project website, the new bridge design aims to address concerns over river navigation for vessels, while improving vehicle, pedestrian, bike and transit access. The design features a 12-foot lane in each direction with eight-foot shoulders, a 12-foot walking and biking path, more space for barges, earthquake safety improvements and improvements to eliminate direct runoff from vehicles from entering the Columbia River. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Not enough money': Local leaders ask for urgent state funds in road maintenance
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Local leaders are asking for serious state help in the form of the Oregon Transportation Reinvestment Package this legislative session. The mayors of Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview, and Gresham joined Multnomah County Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon Monday to urge state lawmakers to pass this transportation package. 'Bock bock, you next': Man harassing peacocks tried to murder man who confronted him They want to improve conditions they believe are dangerous for drivers and pedestrians alike, and the mayors said they need state funding to get it done. On top of that, they argued road maintenance will improve the local economy as well. 'State investments in transportation infrastructure directly support our local businesses, attract new employers, and create good paying construction and infrastructure jobs right here in east Multnomah County,' Troutdale Mayor David Ripma said. Fairview's mayor Keith Kudrna said they have plans for new developments that serve the community's needs, but without good roads they cannot get done. 'Like Sandy Boulevard, where residents at the senior manufactured home park must walk along roadside ditches to catch the bus or to cross the street at an unmarked crosswalk,' he said. 'The problem is that we do not have enough money to finish these visions.' The county's road fund pays for road maintenance, but the upcoming budget proposes cutting close to $2 million from it. Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall called that proposal unacceptable. 'There has to be an overinvestment, an oversized investment, in East County starting now,' he said. 'There has been tremendous years of underinvestment that includes transportation and these that– it's challenging for us to be able to bring our folks from poverty to prosperity. We have to make these investments. We have to.' New express routes will take Portland-area residents on day trips to the coast If they are not able to get financial help from the state in this package Stovall said they will carry on, but it will not be easy. He said roads across the county will be underprepared. 'They won't be maintained,' Stovall said. 'Will new roads and new infrastructure not be delivered? Yes, that will be the case. Will we be able to move forward as communities? Absolutely. Is it going to be more challenging? Of course. That's the critical response to the question is it will be more challenging to deliver the things that we need to deliver.' Jones-Dixon said he is definitely looking to make sure those cuts to the county's road fund are not made in the upcoming budget. And later this month the Joint Committee on Transportation is holding a public hearing for the transportation package. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Oregon lawmakers unveil $1.9B transportation package amid ‘crumbling infrastructure'
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Oregon lawmakers unveiled plans for a $1.9 billion transportation package on Thursday, amid concerns over deteriorating roads and bridges across the state. The Oregon Transportation ReInvestment Package was announced by Joint Committee on Transportation Co-Chairs Rep. Susan McLain (D-Hillsboro) and Sen. Chris Gorsek (D-Gresham), who said 'urgent action is needed this session' to build a stable transportation system for the 21st century. According to the co-chairs, Oregon's transportation systems 'are in crisis,' as more than 90 state-owned bridges have major structural issues, some school zones lack sidewalks and potholes go months without repair. The transportation co-chairs further that without sufficient funding, essential workers at transportation agencies will face layoffs, including jobs responsible for clearing traffic accidents, road striping, road repairs and plowing roads over winter. DON'T MISS: National Transportation Safety Board report shows concerns over bridge conditions in the Pacific Northwest Among the provisions in the $1.9 billion package are increases in fees such as the fuels tax, Department of Motor Vehicles fees, and road usage charges. Almost 90% of the investments in the State Highway Fund will go towards operations, maintenance and preservation efforts in state infrastructure, such as paving priority routes, restoring bridges and improving road and pedestrian infrastructure. Remaining funds will go towards previous projects under the last transportation package. TRIP includes a 20-cent per gallon fuels tax increase – starting with an eight-cent increase January 1, 2026, before transitioning to four-cent increases every year through 2032. The co-chairs noted that Oregon was the first state in the nation to impose a gas tax in 1919, which has since helped pay for state transportation. However, McLain and Gorsek argue that Oregon is facing 'modern transportation challenges,' such as increased freight traffic, a growing population, and a rapid increase in electric and fuel-efficient vehicles – which contribute less to the fuels tax. Instagram account of 'reckless' blue pickup driver strikes fear in Portland online community To ensure all drivers pay their share for road use, TRIP proposed a phased-in Road Usage Charge for electric vehicles. TRIP states that vehicles can enroll with the RUC program or pay a flat RUC annual fee. Once enrolled, EVs would no longer pay higher registration fees. Additionally, the proposal could bring higher DMV feed to Oregonians, including a $66 rise in vehicle registration fees and a $90 increase in title fees. The proposal also includes an over $16 increase for weight-mile fees. The package also seeks $486 million through a one-time system user fee on all vehicles at the time of purchase at 1% of the vehicle price. Lawmakers note that Oregon is one of five states that does not have this revenue stream. Oregon is doling out $11M in unclaimed funds. Here's how to find out if you're owed money Other investments would go towards infrastructure for buses, rail, bicycles and pedestrians — including $17 million to maintain Amtrak service levels and an increase in the state bike tax. The current bike tax stands at $15 per bike with a sale price of at least $200. The proposal suggests increasing the bike tax by $9.50 for a total $24.50 bike tax at the point of sale. According to TRIP, this tax would increase state revenue by about $1 million per year. Another 'key' part of the bill, according to the co-chairs: accountability. McLain and Gorsek said there is broad bipartisan support for oversight of the Oregon Department of Transportation to make sure tax dollars are used effectively. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The package comes after a bipartisan group of lawmakers held a 13-stop transportation listening tour in 2024 to learn about local infrastructure concerns in places including Portland, Tillamook, Eugene, Medford, Bend and Ontario. Using those stops to frame TRIP, the transportation committee co-chairs highlighted the importance of increased investments. 'From public testimony in committee, to last year's statewide transportation listening tour, Oregonians have been clear that they want action, not delay,' Rep. McLain said. 'They want clean, safe streets. They want reliable public transit. They want to know the bridges their children cross every day are structurally sound.' Oregon Department of Education ends math, literacy programs after federal funding cuts 'Oregon TRIP is focused on the safety and maintenance of our roads, bridges and transit — not just for today, but for years to come,' Sen. Gorsek said. 'Inaction is not only irresponsible, it's dangerous. This framework is a starting point and we are looking forward to sitting down with stakeholders and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to finalize a package this session.' Senator Gorsek added that investing in transportation will also give Oregon an economic boost. 'Bad transportation infrastructure is more than just an inconvenience, it harms Oregon's economy. Employees need to be able to get to work, businesses and truckers need to be able to move goods, students need to be able to get to school,' Sen. Gorsek said. 'At a time when everyday costs are already too high, we cannot afford to allow crumbling infrastructure to undermine Oregon's economy.' 'They've had enough': Clackamas County workers union vote to authorize strike in unprecedented move McLain and Gorsek said a team of external transportation experts are currently reviewing ODOT's project delivery and accounting practices with the Joint Oversight Committee on Transportation. Results from the review will be released in May and incorporated into the final transportation package. 'This framework is grounded in fairness and accountability,' Rep. McLain said. 'It ensures every user of the system pays their fair share and includes oversight from a bipartisan committee and independent transportation experts. But most importantly, it puts the focus where it's urgently needed: operations, safety, and maintenance.' In response to the proposed transportation package, the Oregon House Republican Caucus called for more accountability and less spending for 'ODOT's failures.' 'The Democrats' tone-deaf proposal throws more money at a system that has repeatedly failed to recognize that its core mission is to provide safe and reliable roads and bridges,' said House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby). 'A dozen new taxes and fees is a slap in the face to all Oregonians that simply can't afford to pay more for less.' 'Since the beginning of this session, House Republicans have pressed ODOT on budgeting errors, incomplete projects, and mishandling of tax dollars,' said Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany), Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. 'It's shocking that in spite of Oregonians' resounding rejection of the tire tax proposal, Democrats are doubling down on this tax at a time when families are already struggling to make ends meet.' Oregon Supreme Court allows class action lawsuit against Tillamook County Creamery Association to proceed The transportation package comes amid a budget shortfall at the Oregon Department of Transportation. In a statement to KOIN 6 News on Friday, ODOT Director Kris Strickler said the funding included in TRIP is necessary after 'historic underfunding' for the agency. 'Oregon's transportation system needs a sustainable funding source so Oregonians can travel safely across the state,' Strickler said. 'This framework outlines a necessary shift away from historic underfunding to sustainably fund the maintenance and operation of Oregon's transportation system.' In August of 2024, ODOT announced the agency was facing a $354 million budget shortfall — warning the agency could see large job cuts and significant increases in response times in some areas of the state if the agency doesn't receive needed funding in 2025. Feds crack down on illegal 'Portland Sunday Market' selling LSD, ecstacy and mushrooms ODOT discussed the potential budget shortfall during an Aug. 1 Oregon Transportation Committee , where ODOT representatives explained where the agency would stand if it does not receive a boost in funding, as first reported by OPB. 'We're looking at a budget shortfall with three main issues. We're seeing revenues start to flatten, and we expect them to decline at the same time our costs are going up. We were paying more for everything from paint to equipment to concrete and asphalt. And lastly, we are not able to move funds around,' ODOT Spokesperson Katherine Benenati previously told KOIN 6 News. During the meeting, ODOT Budget Manager Russ Casler said, 'We would be purchasing half of what we do today.' ODOT stressed that the reduced budget, potential job cuts, and decreased supplies could lead to slower response times, noting they're already operating under a lower level of service than is ideal. 'We would have to redistribute our resources and maintenance in a different way than we are today. This would mean we would not be doing a lot of things we are doing today,' said Casler. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oregon House Republicans want accountability after ODOT's $1 billion budget forecast error
PORTLAND, Ore. () — The Oregon Department of Transportation is apologizing after they found a $1 billion accounting error. ODOT presented the error to the Oregon State Legislature's Joint Committee on Transportation earlier this week. Arrest made in murder of Fairview man Transportation officials are now assuring Oregonians and state leaders the error won't happen again. ODOT said they did not spend the extra $1 billion they originally forecasted for the 2023-2025 budget. However, Oregon House Republicans are hoping for accountability and transparency from ODOT, especially after this error. 'We are accountable — to address this, fix this and make sure it doesn't happen again,' said Travis Brouwer with ODOT. Back in 2022, ODOT said when they were working out the budget for 2023-25, they accidentally forecasted about $6.9 billion. That's $1 billion more from the federal government than would eventually come in. ODOT told the Joint Committee on Transportation Monday that they caught the error early — at the end of 2023. 'Does this look like a BMW neighborhood?' 'Without oversimplifying, I will say it is it is very complicated. And this is why it took us a little while to get this understood effectively and address it,' Brouwer said during the joint committee meeting. He later told KOIN 6, 'We had simply planned for too many projects in the first two years, and really more projects than we had money to pay for.' KOIN 6 News was told that so far this biennium, ODOT has only spent $5.6 billion of that forecast by moving around a few projects to be done later in the future. 'It means that projects will be delayed, but we are not going to be canceling projects,' Brouwer said. Oregon Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis (R) said this is an example as to why she and others say ODOT should be held accountable and practice transparency. 'Accountability is just one of them. What are the priorities? Are we back? Do we need to go back to core mission of ODOT, of paving roads, plowing them, and making sure that our bridges and our roads are safe for Oregonians? So after Monday night, it's-it's a doubling down on those efforts, but those efforts are continuing,' Boshart Davis said. Oregon bill aims to fix broken system for exonerees ODOT is assuring the committee and other Oregonians, they won't let this happen again. 'It really was a forecasting error, it's not a misexpenditure error, and we have taken the steps that we believe we need to take in order to make sure this doesn't happen again and so we don't overspend,' Brouwer said. Since this error was made, Brouwer said for future budget forecasting, they will be double and triple checking that forecast to make sure they don't overspend or overcalculate again. House Republicans said they'll keep pushing ODOT for more accountability and transparency. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State senator to come up with accountability recommendations for ODOT funding bill
Oregon Senate President Rob Wagner and Speaker of the House Julie Fahey announced they tapped a state senator to develop accountability recommendations for legislation funding the Oregon Department of Transportation Department. The announcement was made days after the Statesman Journal published an investigation, which found, among other things, that touted accountability measures in a 2017 transportation funding bill were not met. Senator Bruce Starr, R-Dundee, is a co-vice chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation and will lead creation of a draft accountability plan to be presented to the committee in March. "I know that we have a credibility problem," Starr said. "We can't just throw more money at the Department of Transportation and assume that they're gonna perform better," he said. Wagner said accountability is a key piece of a successful transportation package. "For me, it's a little bit of a lessons learned," Wagner said. "I wasn't in the Legislature (when HB 2017 was passed), but sometimes you have to trust that you need to shift focus and you need to put additional attention on this space, so that's really what we're gonna do." Accountability has been part of the committee's focus all along, said Rep. Susan McLain, D-Hillsboro, a co-chair on the committee. "As far as I can see, it's business as usual and we're gonna do a good job of making sure that we review what we've done in the last package and see where we are gonna make even better choices and better investments in the things that our public have told us that they want," McLain said. The Statesman Journal was told Gov. Tina Kotek, Fahey, D-Eugene, and co-chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation, Sen. Chris Gorsek, D-Gresham, were unavailable for comment. Starr was elected to the House in 1998 and served as a state senator for District 15 from 2003 until 2015. He was a city councilor in Dundee before being reelected in the Legislature in November 2024 to represent Senate District 12, which includes parts of Polk and Yamhill counties and communities such as Dallas, Sheridan and McMinnville. He co-founded a Christian preschool and has worked as a fence contractor. Starr's seat was previously held by Brian Boquist, who was a co-vice chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation Preservation and Modernization when HB 2017 was created. Details about the accountability recommendations, including who will make up the group that makes them, are not yet decided, Starr said, but he emphasized a role for Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany. "She's been there over the last few years," he said. "I'm coming back into the process. She's put in the work and our staff have put in the work." Boshart Davis is a co-vice chair of the committee. "We know that cost of living is paramount. It's our job to one, take that to heart and know that that's important, so we cannot in good conscience say revenue raising is our only option," Boshart Davis told the Statesman Journal. "Even if all of this had not come to light, and even if we didn't know that there was accountability problems, we still know that cost of living is top priority." Anastasia Mason covers state government for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at acmason@ or 971-208-5615. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Lawmakers call for Oregon Department of Transportation reforms
