Oregon Tolling Proposal May Be Out of Compliance with Federal Law, Chavez-DeRemer Warns
By Lori Chavez Deremer — June 2, 2023
As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, this week I raised concerns with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regarding the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) proposal to implement tolling on I-205 and I-5 in the Portland area.
I am strongly opposed to the current proposal, and I share the frustration felt by so many Oregonians that the process has been rushed and careless. It’s disappointing that bureaucrats have tried to force such significant change with no regard for the negative impact it would have on everyday travelers and neighboring communities. Moving forward, I will continue working to ensure appropriate laws and regulations are being followed. Oregonians deserve a thorough assessment of the economic, environmental, and social impacts of tolling.
In her letter to FHWA, Chavez-DeRemer relays a number of concerns that have been raised in public comments, including that tolling would create unsafe traffic in surrounding neighborhoods. She requests a meeting with Administrator Bhatt to further discuss the administration’s efforts to ensure the tolling proposal is compliant with all applicable laws and regulations.
The full letter can be viewed here.
