The second Key Leaders Breakfast, in the last two years, included comments from ODOT Director Kris Strickler and Representative Susan McLain… It was a Royal Flush of information.

State Representative Jules Walters, County Commissioner Paul Savas and Tri-Met President Lynn Peterson were also present along with the Mayor of Tualatin, Frank Bubenik and several City Commissioners. Many Chambers of Commerce were also represented.

In Short

Article 1 - The Key Leaders Breakfast was recorded in its entirety. It is 1hr and 40min long and is full of information as well as a question and answer segment.

We welcome you to listen and learn what is currently happening on the transportation landscape.

Do note, the link below takes you to the Tualatin Chamber YouTube channel at which the Key Leaders Breakfast video will be on the left side of the list.

Weekly Articles

Key Leaders Breakfast Video

The 2025 Legislative Session will be soon upon us. At the forefront will be bills for funding transportation and how that funding might be collected.

In this weeks article, it appears ODOT is wanting your input on what defines a toll road.

Do note, as we have stated before, tolling is merely in a state of pause. Now what might get tolled is apparently a whole new subject.

In Short

Article 1 - From the ODOT announcement… “draft proposed rules will go out for formal public comment starting September 1 and close on October 3. A virtual public hearing on the limited rules will be held on September 18 from 12-1:30 p.m. We (ODOT) plan to present the draft rules to the OTC for their formal approval at the November 14 meeting.”

“The proposed updated rules focus on how the Oregon Transportation Commission will designate a road a tollway, as well as the process for the OTC to set, review, and update rates…”

Article 2 - Join us for our Multi-Chamber Key Leaders Breakfast on Transportation Friday Septemeber 6th, 2024 7am to 9:30am

Presented by the Tualatin Chamber’s Business Advocacy Council

Weekly Articles

ODOT is asking for your public comments

Friday September 6th, 2024 7am to 9:30am

Presented by the Tualatin Chamber’s Business Advocacy Council

Thank you to all who have contributed to the golf tournament!

Meanwhile…

In Short

Article 1 - The Feds continue to help fund the Interstate Bridge Replacement… this time to the tune of $1.5 Billion dollars. The grant, combined with other Federal funding, brings their total contribution to over $2 Billion dollars

Currently, the total projected costs for the IBR exceed $7 Billion.

Weekly Articles

Feds find a way to help the IBR

Not much is happening on the tolling front, at least visually. ODOT has started their Road Shows but the Legislation is out for now. FYI, next Road Show events are July 16th and 17th in Albany and Eugene respectively.

We continue to keep our eyes and ears open for you and will bring the latest news as we get it. And with allot of people out for the 4th of July it seems that may be a bit later than sooner.

In Short

Article 1 - The last 20 months proved to be quite the roller coaster of information. Even Mickey Moose would be hard pressed to design such a ride.

In this re-post, of an article from the Tualatin Life, is a synopses of where we have been. If we had a time machine we could show you the future sooner… and that would be an “E” ticket for sure…

Article 2 - Salem is on the move to patch-up their streets. And it is amazing that 10 workers are able to do the requested work in just a day or two’s time. Efficiency is not lost on this lot of dedicated employees.

Might this Public Works program be a template for any city in Oregon… or for ODOT overall?

Weekly Articles

Tualatin Life article…

Tl Big Version Article Tolling

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Paving the streets with... asphalt...

Road Show… In this case, It is ODOT’s informational meeting that will travel throughout the state of Oregon. The purpose, well that is outlined below.

Will the information presented help support the Legislators move in the upcoming Legislative session (2025) or will it meet with continued disapproval from the people… Which is a number apparently over 75%.

Below are excerpts from the Assembly letter as well as a link to that letter.

Purpose of the Show…

• The Joint Committee on Transportation (JCT) will be holding 12 meetings and local tours around the state for the purpose discussing the need for stable and sufficient transportation funding in anticipation of the 2025 legislative session. The goal of convening these meetings around the state is to: Build public understanding of transportation funding challenges and potential funding tools to address those challenges; Build legislative understanding of statewide transportation needs and shared priorities; Build local, regional, statewide support and a sense of urgency for a transportation funding package focused on maintenance, operations, and safety; Gather input from the public and community leaders about preferred methods for addressing the transportation funding challenge. A schedule of the Road Show locations are in the article liked below.

Show Agenda…

High Level Report on Needs Assessment
o ODOT -10 minutes
Potential Policy Solutions
o ODOT - 10-15 minutes
•Public Testimony
o Public testimony informed by the needs assessment and potential policy solutions outlined in meeting -90 minutes

Weekly Articles

ODOT Road Show Information

Questions continue regarding ODOT budget gaps and transportation design. And though the two may seem widely different, the two share a common thread… a need for a reliable and sensible transportation system.

You can’t get there without the money nor a design that incorporates the actual need to move people. Might we insert here that the funding, and the actual source of those monies being the people of Oregon, and the design, which needs to move people in a manner which will be practical for all, must be realistic.

To be a bit more direct… we the people only have X amount of money and Y amount of the people will not move out of cars and ride bikes, buses or trains… ever.

In Short

Article 1 - The Oregon Transportation Commission seems to have a handle on how to bridge the spending gaps that have widened across many of ODOT’s projects.

Looking at the numbers, It might take a spreadsheet in order to track where all these monies are being pulled and directed. And it appears that the deferring of monies and projects only means that somewhere down the line the costs will be a burden in the future.

Article 2 - Design… looking at designs and the creations that others have dreamed and built can be very en-lighting.

In this Clark County Today.com article, John Ley looks at some of the design ideas for the Interstate Bridge Replacement. In the article it states… “Transit projections have been questioned for years. Almost nobody believes the IBR projections that I-5 transit ridership will be 26,000 to 33,000 boardings a day, by 2045. C-TRAN reported that they picked up just two more daily boardings on their I-5 express buses in 2023. They carried just 525 people over the Interstate Bridge and less than 1,000 total when including the I-205 Glenn Jackson Bridge.”

Weekly Articles

The OTC plans to fill the funding gap...

This Clark County article paints an interesting picture

The Manhattan toll project appears, as it were, to be blowing up. Whether it be political or just common sense, the Governor of New York has put a pause on tolling in Manhattan.

Consider this, Governors pausing tolling, initiatives to stop tolling, coming soon, and the voice of the people rising up to vote down tolls, one must wonder if the climate of transportation funding is about to take a drastic turn.

Apparently this may not be the case in Seattle…

In Short

Article 1 - Manhattan’s toll project has been a melting pot of concerns from businesses to citizens to political agendas. Now the Governor of New York has paused tolling, much like Governor Kotek has done here in Oregon.

This wrap-up, of Senators and Assembly members from the State, has broad touch-points.

Article 2 - In this NoTolls opinion piece, the question seems to be… “how high is too high”… when raising tolls to curb congestion.

If those in Seattle are willing to pay $15 for a faster route might they be willing to pay $20 or more?

Weekly Articles

Manhattan tolling gets put on hold...

High tolls Seattle

As we look through the windshield, things are a bit quiet. Yes, we know much is being discussed and planned, but for this week we are taking a break and a leisurely drive down the highway.

But stay tuned… ODOT’s new Road Show is about to hit the streets.

ODOT Road Show starts June 4th

Remembering… this day that is set aside to give honor, thoughts and prayers to the ones who have paved the way for our freedom by the giving of their lives. May God rest your souls and may your families know His peace.

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It was sad to see the low voter turnout for this last week’s elections. It is difficult to determine if it was due to apathy or something else. Regardless, it seems that the masses don’t care about what might be going on around them.

One measure that passed was a new gas tax for the City of Portland. This .10 cent per gallon adder might not look like much, 2.5% on a $4 gallon of gas, but it passed with a resounding YES! Which might beg the question, is the general public willing to accept a raise to the state’s gas tax in order to fund transportation? And if 10 cents is easy might .20, .30 or .40 cents be as quickly accepted.

Adding to future funding is the plan that Washington and Oregon have to toll the I-5 Interstate Bridge. In the hopes of raising over $1 Billion, we are not sure the period of time the state needs, to raise building revenue along with operating and maintenance funds.

In Short

Article 1 - BikePortland’s Jonathan Maus reports on where the estimated $70.5 million, to be raised by Portlands new gas tax, will be used. The Fixing Our Streets will also benifit with monies to be used to employee about 45 people.

Article 2 - Tolling continues to be the main stream of funding slated for the Interstate Bridge. That is, the current bridge. While the new Interstate Bridge Replacement is being built the plan is to toll the old bridge to help build the new and to operate it as well.

The Columbian looks at a few ways the Bistate Tolling Subcommittee is considering this funding implementation.

Weekly articles

BikePortland talks about Portlands new gas tax

The Columbian article on plans to toll the Interstate Bridge

Some of the most successful ideas ever sold, or implemented, started off badly. The name was bad, the logo looked terrible or the message was presented poorly. What’s the slogan… If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

The Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) is in continuation mode. Concepts, designs and development continue with no real end in sight. Actually, that would be with no beginning in sight.

Meanwhile, the Joint Committee on Transportation (JTC) will be traveling across Oregon to discuss its “Transportation Package Tour to Focus on Maintaining a Safe, Functional, Efficient System.” Effectively, the JCT wants to discuss with us various ways we can keep moving Oregon forward.

Rebranding is never popular with those that own the orignal idea… but it can be very profitable…

In Short

Article 1 - The Interstate Bridge Replacement has been in the making for many years. Talk, planning and design has moved forward but not at the pace many have wanted nor that has been promised. And with every delay the price goes up.

Joe Cortright outlines some of the issues the delays have caused and the potential effect they might have on moving forward.

Article 2 - In late 2023 thru early 2024, the Special Subcommittee of the Joint Committee on Transportation circulated around the Portland area. Their goal, to hear what the people thought about tolling.

Now, in this letter from the JCT, we understand that the committee itself will be making 12 stops to share remedies of how to provide stable funding for Oregons tranportation system… aka, ODOT.

Weekly Articles

City Observatory article from Joe Cortright

The JTC outlines a plans to travel across Oregon

At times, digging into toll news is like a rewritten script of a soap opera. It is the same news but repeated in a different fashion. Ultimately it is what it is… the same.

But, this past week we have seen success in some undertakings as well as arguments that continue the dialog of concept vs. sensibility. We might think that tolling has nothing to do with either of the articles but the truth is that these expensive projects have to get paid for somehow.

In Short

Article 1 - I-5 cut a swath through the neighborhood of Albina when it was constructed. Today, or in the future, there are hopes to reconnect what I-5 split apart. But this effort is going to cost hundreds of millions of dollars if not billions.

Cost projects, with I-5 improvements, have been said to be eclipsing $2 billion. Will that be enough and can the project ever get started? Well, the Federal government is now putting monies behind it to get the project off the ground.

Article 2 - John Ley, with Clark County Today, pens this article which looks at the downward trend of transit ridership against the need to build an expensive transit system spanning the Columbia River along side the Interstate Bridge Replacement.

A good read to understand the cost benefits of a 3 mile train ride as opposed to a few buses to fill the need.

Weekly Articles

The Albina neighborhood gets Federal monies to reconnect...

Building a rail line across the Columbia River... Does this make sense...

Most of us have been part of some type of data breach. Today, it is almost a common occurrence, though it should not be. And for 90% of us in Oregon, we had our vital information taken in a recent DMV breach.

For ODOT, balancing the buget, since the early 2000’s, has not been possible. Thus ODOT is always seeking more ways to raise revenue as their projects continue to grow in scope and costs.

Seems the older we get the worse things are… trying to protect our personal information while merely trying to pay the bills. In our articles this week, we look at some who are trying to get back what was lost in the DMV breach and another laying out some options ODOT had to raise revenue.

In Short

Article 1 - State Representative David Gomberg is concerned with how his coastal district can fix their ever-growing highway issues, primarily Hwy 101 slipping off into the ocean. Pot holes and bridge concerns, along with an ever increasing vacation crowd, escalate the concern.

The Representative points to options and concerns as ODOT looks for more funds.

Article 2 - Following the recent DMV data breach in Oregon. A few individuals have taken the charge to hold ODOT acoountable. This through a recently filed lawsuit.

The ask is $10 million dollars, the cost could be much greater.

Weekly Articles

Representative David Gomberg outlines funding options

Does ODOT next budget line item... lawsuits…

It would be wise for us to open our eyes and ears to the whole of what is out there and truly look at the options and ramifications of the legislative decisions we are making. Ultimately, what makes sense and what will damage us.

The Tualatin Chamber would like to look at how all the various choices would effect our ability to do what must be done against how it would effect today’s world before we try to save that which is yet to come. IF WE FAIL TODAY… tomorrow may never come.

In Short

Article 1 - Great news, if you live in the State of Washington, you may be entitled to a State program to subsidize your buying an EV… but you have to make less then $96K.

This $45 million dollar program will give each of the recipients up to $9K for a lease and $5K for the purchase of an EV. FYI… “Using the state’s own estimates, the program pays $1,875 to reduce each metric ton of CO2. By way of comparison, the state’s CO2 price is only $25.76, or just over one percent the amount paid by the subsidy.”

Article 2 - Torque, that is what you feel when you put your foot down on the loud pedal (accelerator) and get pushed back into your seat… the G forces, the raw in-your-face oh my goodness hang on factor… and I LOVE IT! EV’s have it and I love it too. But at what cost?

This Yahoo Finance article sheds some interesting light on what EV’s currently hold for consumers. And, as a FYI, I was bummed by this article because I like the idea of a plug-in-hybrid.

Weekly Articles

Washington Governor announces his newest EV program

Even we were bummed at these results...

Trust… it is a word that has disintegrated in front of our very eyes… worse, it is has an ever changing meaning depending on who might be using it.

When we trust organizations to secure our information we, pretty much, give them the keys to our lives thinking they will protect us. Yet even the most secure banks, on-line providers, stores and DMV’s have continued to have security issues where our information gets into the hands of those that wish to do us harm.

Today our phones are getting tapped by scammers wanting our information and even threatening to harm us “if we do not comply.” Smishing scams, yes that is really the word, are pursuing people to pay tolls they have not incurred. And these problems promise to increase.

In Short

Article 1 - San Diego California is the latest to be experiencing back office problems with its toll collections. Over charging users, back office management issues by ETAN Tolling Technology of Dallas… we thought Texas had this toll thing down… and a toll Board of Directors in California’s that turned a blind eye financial issues are just a few of the issues.

The problems in California even got the FBI involved. Seems trusting any of these entities is getting tougher by the day…

Article 2 - Both smishing and phishing are forms of cyberattacks that trick individuals into providing personal, sensitive information. They primarily differ in their methods of delivery and the technologies they exploit (Forbes Globe). And smishing is, quite literally, getting people killed.

This article, from NBC Dallas, highlights a few of the toll scams that are starting to circulate thru a few states. They can seem sincere but are meant to rob you of us of our money.

PLEASE… if you receive anything via call, text or email soliciting funds… hang up or delete it. But do not give out information or click on links! These scams are getting quite cleaver and very dangerous.

Weekly Articles

Toll collection issues in Southern California

Toll collecting has its smishing scams...

Clarity… it is defined as clearness of appearance or thought. It is the basic component of any idea or act. Transportation is the movement of something to somewhere. It is not a car, train or plane yet these are all used for transportation. Our voices are used for transportation of our thoughts while our hands and legs transport things and our self. But at its core, transportation is the movement of something to somewhere… and it costs time, effort and money.

Knowing the later, we can recognize that to keep things moving there must be a balance of structure and funding. Yet when funding threatens those needing the structure it invalidates the structure as a benefit. Thus the basic component fails to do what it is meant to do… in this case… moving something to somewhere.

Today we want to look at the other side, but from inside our self. All of us must do this… if we wish to create a balanced transportation system.

In Short

Article 1 - You’re an electric vehicle (EV) owner. You bought it to be green, efficient and responsible. The gas money you save and the reduced carbon footprint is your donation to the world. So why should you have to pay for transportation infrastructure?

And yes, we’d LOVE to hear your comments…

Article 2 - A big push for tolling in Oregon is to reduce the carbon foot print. And, within that component is to get us to all drive an EV… if we have to drive at all.

This article, from Emissions Analytics, looks at a very real and uncontrolled pollutant from EV’s. The study, which is pretty cool, was conducted in 2022 but is currently getting the attention of many in the environmental sector.

FYI, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) refuses to acknowledge this information.

Article 3 - Last week we posted the questions and results of the multi-city survey that asked about tolling. This week we go back to ODOT’s survey, from Fall of 2023, which lays out the questions and answers. FYI, results pick-up on page 11.

Remember, view these from inside… knowing your bias’ and leaving those aside.

Again… your comments are very much encouraged… Daniel@tualatinchamber.com

Weekly Articles

Should EV's pay for transportation infrastructure?

Are EV's environmentally friendly?

Fall 2023 Tolling Options Engagement Report

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Awards are nice to get… like the trophy at the end of a hard fought game or race.. but the reality is the next event is just around the corner. If we merely look at the trophy case we miss that which is new and/or different, and we will lose the next round.

To put it differently, we can win a battle but end up losing the war.

Rumors, assumptions, positioning… and silence… are all around the tolling issue. And as tolling stays on the table, many are questioning how approximately $60+ million dollars got paid for consulting alone.

This is not the end of the game. At best, it’s half-time…

In Short

Article 1 - On March 11th of this year, Governor Tina Kotek put a stop to the Regional Mobility Pricing Project (RMPP). That was the project that would have tolled nearly 55 miles of I-5 and I-205. And, to that end, we want to say thank you to the Governor.

Policies and procedures are not an easy change, especially when the Legislators have said that is what they want. Voting aside, many in ODOT have been full throttle getting tolling in place while ignoring its effect on business and communities.

The Governor looked at the landscape, saw the shortfalls of the RMPP and stopped the program. Her statement of “…the challenges… have grown larger than the anticipated benefits” rings loudly, and we appreciate her eyes, ears and her voice.

We have posted her letter for you to reread and to understand its scope.

Article 2 - Tualatin Chamber CEO, Anneleah Jaxen, outlines how Oregontollingupdates (OTU) came about and how it has grown over the last 1.5 years.

Never popular on the forefront, OTU has maintained its direction and brought tolling information to both businesses and the community for the purpose of education and to inform of the potential impact on both.

Article 3 - We are making the Survey, which was sponsored by 4 cities alone the I-205 corridor, available for you to look thru. Although the data has already been collected it is interesting to see how questions were asked.

The survey is one of opinion rather than a menu of set items of which you can have no say.

Weekly Articles

Gov Kotek's Letter To Stop Tolling

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Tualatin Chamber sticks to it's mandate

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Ever try to frame a bad painting? No matter the style one might try it is difficult to improve upon a bad piece of art. Although the judgement of art is in the eye of the beholder.

The Regional Mobility Pricing Project for I-5 and I-205 have now been stopped but the picture of tolling, in Oregon’s future, is not coming off of the wall. It is hanging there for all to see and, no matter how you frame it, it is tolling.

In Short

Article 1 - In this KGW article, ODOT Official Brendon Finn gives his insight into how tolling might unfold in the future. Are his words meant as an “if” or rather than a “when”… you decide.

Article 2 - KGW was busy talking with ODOT the last few weeks. In this article, ODOT’s Director Kris Strickler, weighs in on the stop to tolling and how ODOT needs has a funding void.

Article 3 - A few days ago, New York, NY made it official… Congestion tolling will come to Manhattan. The fee, $15 dollars a day to enter the corridor.

Manhattan will be the first of its kind for this type of tolling in America… not Oregon.

Weekly Articles

KGW reports on a west side toll plan

ODOT's Kris Strickler talks with KGW

The Ball drops in June for those going to Manhattan, NY

This past week saw a bit more activity outside of Oregon than inside the state. Well, might we say for the moment. Fact is, with ODOT slowing toll plans and the Legislative branches out of session, it is a bit quiet.

The 3 articles we bring today come from one of authority, Cam Gilmour, one of observation, Your Oregon News and news from an independent voice, Planetizen. Good reads for a good perspective of what might be to come.

In Short

Article 1 - Cam Gilmour is a retired ODOT Deputy Director of Finance and Administration, Clackamas County’s Director of Transportation and Development and the state of Washington Transportation Department Chief Operating Officer.

Suffice it to say, he knows his stuff.. and gives us an opinion on the current state of tolling in Oregon.

Article 2 - In an unofficial survey, Your Oregon News, asked readers what they thought about tolling. This survey was conducted after the Governor said that the toll plans for I-5 and I-205, in the Portland area, would be halted for the short term.

Article 3 - Planetizen is said to be the independent voice of the planning community, free from institutional or financial interests.

In this recent article, we read how San Francisco is tipping their hat to an all lane tolling network.

Weekly Articles

Cam Gilmour's opinion piece from the Milwaukie Review

Your Oregon News unofficial survey

San Francisco considers tolling all lanes on some freeways...

As you look at the photo above, many of you might be thinking… “I haven’t seen photo negatives in decades”. For some of you, maybe ever.

The soft lines of a picture, printed from an old negative, feels much like the news which came out of Salem last week. There remains a lack of clarity as a high definition explanation is not yet to be found. But what we do know is that the Regional Mobility Pricing Project (RMPP), for I-5 and I-205 in Portland, has been halted.

The plans for tolling, in Oregon, have merely been placed to the side. What develops next should bring much more clarity to the picture.

In Short

Article 1 - OPB presented a good summation of Governor Kotek’s letter to the legislation and the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC).

Article 2 - We have attached the letter from the Governor to the OTC and ODOT. Read it… dissect it… Oregon is not done with tolling.

Article 3 - The Equity Mobility Advisory Committee (EMAC) met on 3-13-24. This final meeting had little to do with content and more to do with accolades to those in the room. The first 15 min tell the story.

Weekly Articles

This OPB article has a good summation of the Governors stop of RMPP...

Governor Kotek's letter...

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EMAC video from 3-13-24 (45min)… first 15min tell the story…