The Oregon Department of Transportation is a leader in sustainability planning and initiatives. Our Sustainability Program assists staff in carefully managing activities and assets so we can sustain access to essential goods and services.

Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez joined the Oregon Department of Transportation and representatives from public and private partner organizations to break ground this morning for Oregon's second solar highway project. When complete, the new solar array at the Baldock Rest Areas on Interstate 5 north near Wilsonville will produce nearly 9 percent of ODOT's power needs in the Portland General Electric service area.

The Electical crew in Region 1 has a new truck; but its not just any truck! The new Freightliner M-2 diesel electric hybrid bucket truck is the first of its kind at ODOT, and is exciting everybody, especially in terms of its fuel use reduction capabilities.

Recently, the Oregon Department of Transportation and Friends of Trees kicked off a three-year project to plant thousands of native trees and shrubs along the I-205 Multi-Use Path, which stretches 15 miles along Interstate 205 from the Columbia River to Gladstone. Funding for the project comes from a $410,000 Nature in Neighborhoods grant from Metro's 2006 voter-approved natural area bond measure; an $80,000 grant from East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District; and generous donations from area businesses. When complete, this project will be showcased as a statewide model for the greening of ODOT right of way.

The 2011 ODOT Progress Report is now available!! The ODOT Sustainability Program publishes an annual progress report to highlight accomplishments and progress on the performance measures and goals outlined in Volume II of ODOT's Sustainability Plan. Read the report to find out about some of the great ways ODOT and its employees are sustainable!

Work is now complete on two electric vehicle charging stations for ODOT facilities. The stations will charge the five Nissan Leaf electric vehicles ODOT purchased and provide a sustainable transportation choice for business travel.