Remembering... and a new PDX Gas Tax...

The beginning of a transportation funding boom...?

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