The Joint Committee on Transportation planned this statewide tour to inform their efforts in developing a plan to tackle structural revenue challenges in the transportation sector during the 2025 legislative session. That plan focuses on maintaining critical infrastructure, completing work on major projects, and guaranteeing the safety and accessibility of transportation systems across the state. In a letter to the committee chairs, Gov. Tina Kotek, Senate President Rob Wagner and House Speaker Julie Fahey, reiterated their priority to provide stable and predictable funding for ODOT so that we can provide the essential maintenance and safety services that Oregonians deserve.  

Portland is home to Oregon’s busiest highway interchanges, freight corridors, and ports essential to the state’s commerce and the gateway to many travelers visiting our state. The unique challenges of the region include managing significant congestion on major highways, rapidly responding to incidents, and improving pedestrian safety for an urban region.  

“As we consider the future of our state and how we can most effectively deliver a safe, accessible, and reliable transportation system for Oregonians, we are always looking at what we are doing as an agency to see where we can improve, become more efficient, and continue to deliver for Oregonians,” said Director Kris Strickler. “We are grateful for the opportunity to share more about our services and unique challenges at a local level.” 

The two-hour tour took place before a roundtable conversation with local transportation leaders and a public hearing at Portland Community College. A TriMet bus took the tour group along I-5 through the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project area, paid a visit to the Multnomah County Bridge Maintenance facility and stopped by the downtown Portland DMV. Speakers pointed out pavement conditions along the way and discussed graffiti and litter issues that have been addressed as a result of additional funding granted by the Oregon Legislature during their last session. The tour also rode past a recent road safety project along Lombard Avenue.  

Millicent Williams, Director of the Portland Bureau of Transportation, joined the tour and was able to share how state and city agencies coordinate social services, perform cleanups, and manage litter associated with camps throughout the city. Rian Windsheimer, ODOT’s Region Manager for the Portland area, shared how this is one of the greatest issues facing the region. Between 2021-2023, the Portland region saw the highest expense in Oregon to meet the growing demand to address camping, litter, and graffiti on state-owned property. Cleanup efforts provide a temporary fix for a symptom of larger societal challenges. Dedicated long-term solutions are critical to addressing this issue. 

Statewide, ODOT is responsible for more than 8,000 miles of roads, 2,770 bridges and countless critical safety features throughout the system. Our teams of dedicated professionals, locally based in 88 communities throughout Oregon, are on the front lines delivering essential day-to-day services that keep our roads open and safe every day. 

We look forward to attending this tour around the state and working with the legislature as they design a transportation package that builds a resilient revenue structure for the future. 

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