The External Relations Division, within the Director’s Office, connects the public to ODOT’s seven divisions and the work we do.
We strive to enhance the agency’s partnership with and service to Oregonians across the state, through communications to audiences both inside and outside our agency. These include Oregon’s elected officials, advocates and community partners, local and federal government partners, members of the news media, all ODOT employees, and each Oregonian and Oregon business. We value transparency, accuracy, and reliability in all the work we do.
Our staff includes the Government Relations team, the Communications section, ODOT’s ombudsman office Ask ODOT, our public records and rulemaking team, and the staff supporting the Oregon Transportation Commission.
Government & External Relations
What We Do
Government Relations is the ODOT’s primary point of contact for elected officials, including members of the state legislature and our representatives in Washington, DC. We are a resource to members and staff of the legislature, and provide information to help them with policy decisions.
We work with the Office of the Governor and our transportation partners to improve our state’s transportation system and to provide transportation options across the state. We ensure laws passed by the legislature are applied efficiently and effectively.
What We Do
The Communication Section provides information to the public and the media. We make videos and podcasts, printed publications, and social media content. In addition, we coordinate both the internal and external ODOT websites.
What We Do
Our Executive Support Unit provides administrative assistance to all of the executives in the Director’s Office. We schedule meetings with legislators, other state agencies and industry leaders. Our Ask ODOT Office investigates and responds to questions from the public. Our section is also responsible for processing and tracking financial data used for projecting costs for doing business at ODOT.
Ask ODOT is the public’s first point of contact for finding information, services or needing to resolve issues with ODOT.
Staffed by experienced employees, Ask ODOT answers questions on the spot or refers customers to a broad range of contacts within the agency. We facilitate more than 1,000 public contacts a month via phone, web, letter, in-person and forwarded inquiries from local and state agencies.
We are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except holidays. We review submissions in the order received. Our goal is to provide a response within five business days.
Our public records and rulemaking coordinator assists the agency in fulfilling public records requests and guiding the rulemaking process.
Oregon Administrative Rules make up the regulations that state agencies adopt to carry out statutes from the Oregon Legislature.
Public records are any documents, information, or data are accessible and available to the public. If you'd like to look at any ODOT records start at our public records portal.
Our commission assistants work with the Oregon Transportation Commission to facilitate meetings, coordinate meeting materials and serve as the first point of contact with the commission.