Bill allows ODOT to impose civil fines and deny vehicle registration
Thu, May 8th 2025
SALEM, Ore. (KATU) — A bill laying the legal groundwork for collecting tolls to help fund the I-5 bridge replacement passed the Oregon House of Representatives on Wednesday.
The bill outlines how Oregon can partner with Washington state to manage and fund the bridge replacement project. It authorizes joint toll revenue management between the two states, allowing the states to share tolling revenue and collect tolls together.
“The bill that we had on the floor that passed yesterday allowed us to continue the dialogue, and it also allowed us to go ahead and make sure that we get credit for 50% of the tolls on the bridge,” said Democratic Rep. Susan McLain, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge.
The bill only allows toll revenue to be used for transportation-related purposes. It would create an Interstate 5 Bridge Toll account in the state treasury and establish rules regarding unpaid tolls. The bill allows ODOT to impose civil fines and deny vehicle registration for drivers with unpaid tolls.
According to ODOT, the Washington Department of Transportation will operate and collect the Interstate Bridge toll on behalf of both states.
“It would allow us to go forward and just continue the dialogue because we’ve asked Washington State to actually run the program,” said McLain.
The I-5 bridge replacement is a joint effort with Washington state, which is estimated to cost between $5 billion and $7.5 billion, according to the latest financial plan.
McLain said they’ve secured about $2 billion from the federal government and $1 billion from each state legislature for the project. She added that the rest of the project would be paid with toll revenue.
In a statement, ODOT said the bill modernizes Oregon law to “reflect the current program and ultimately ensures both states are equally contributing to this important project.”
“The bill solidifies the bi-state partnership we have with Washington and protects Oregon’s interests, ensuring that Oregon and Oregonians pay our 50% share of the Interstate 5 bridge program — no more, no less,” said Republican state Rep. Kevin Mannix.
Gov. Tina Kotek imposed a moratorium on tolls until 2026. Although she had previously opposed tolling, the governor left the door open in an April press conference for this specific project.
“In terms of the tolling in Oregon, I would separate the Interstate Bridge project and all the other projects that can be considered for tolling and tolling revenue,” said Kotek. “When it comes to the Interstate Bridge, there is general agreement because, as you all know, I lived up there and worked on the last project. The Interstate Bridge was tolled; it was built with tolling before. I think most people understand to pay a toll for a new bridge to be built. I won’t say everybody loves it, but I think that’s a different conversation than the other one.”
The bill failed to pass through the Oregon House of Representatives on Tuesday. Democratic state Rep. Travis Nelson filed a motion for reconsideration, stating that some lawmakers were confused about the bill’s intent.
“It is my understanding that there were some in this body who were not fully aware or fully understood the impact of this bill, so I asked that this body to reconsider given that circumstance,” said Nelson.
The House agreed to reconsider the vote, and the bill passed 31-24. The bill now moves to the Oregon Senate for further discussion.
