Federal Actions Cause Confusion and Delay for Several ODOT Projects
Updated May 15, 2025
The United States Department of Transportation, acting in accordance with executive orders signed by President Trump, has paused the distribution of some legally allocated funds, implemented new criteria on which grants will be judged, and is seeking to change the scope of projects previously awarded grant funding.
U.S. DOT provided guidance that funds could be withheld unless Oregon changes laws unrelated to transportation including efforts on public health, accessibility and law enforcement. U.S. DOT has also advised that communities with higher marriage and birth rates will be prioritized in transportation decisions. Oregon has lower than average marriage and birth rates compared to other states.
Hundreds of projects both planned and underway across the state could be impacted by these federal actions.
Currently, ODOT is receiving all formula funding – or funding outside of discretionary grants – including formula transit funding, with one exception. ODOT is not able to obligate additional funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure formula program after the Federal Highway Administration issued a memo ordering states to suspend all state EV infrastructure deployment plans under the NEVI formula program. ODOT is currently able to spend funding previously obligated to the program which will pay for electric vehicle charging infrastructure on U.S 97, I-205 and I-5 south of Eugene but ODOT’s efforts to build similar infrastructure for other roads in Oregon are in doubt pending federal direction.
Some projects funded by discretionary grants have been allowed to begin the process of accessing dedicated funds. Others are still paused.
Federal law prevents federal funding from being used for most maintenance services. As a result, issues with federal funding do not have an impact on ODOT’s ability to conduct day-to-day maintenance of the transportation system. However, the agency’s ability to maintain the system has been impacted by structural revenue issues at the state level. For more information, please visit ODOT’s transportation funding page.
ODOT is working with Governor Kotek and the Oregon Department of Justice to identify potential legal avenues to ensure contracts the state has signed with the federal government are upheld, Oregonians receive their fair share of federal funding, and Oregon travelers receive the safe transportation system they deserve.
Oregonians deserve a safe, accessible and reliable transportation system. ODOT will remain focused on supporting all Oregonians by connecting people and goods to places in the most climate-friendly, equitable and safe manner. More information on our priorities and values can be found in
ODOT’s Strategic Action PlanFrequently Asked Questions and Definition of Terms
Q: What does obligation mean?
A: Obligation is the approval provided by Federal Highway Administration for work to start and expenditures to be reimbursed. This can be for new work/phases on a project or adding additional funding to an already existing project underway.
Q: What is the definition of a project?
A: A project is defined as any work which is federally funded and being reimbursed. This is inclusive to all types of work and not limited to just road work.
Q: What funds are allowed to be obligated?
A: All federal highway money, except for discretionary grants, is allowed to be obligated at this time. These consist of the following type of funds:
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National Highway Performance Program (NHPP)
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Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG)
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Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)
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Rail-Highway Crossing Program
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Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ)
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Metropolitan Planning
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National Highway Freight Program (NHFP)
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Carbon Reduction Program
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PROTECT Formula Program
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Congressional Directed Spending (Earmark)
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IIJA Special Apportionment Bridge
Q: My project is funded only with Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) federal money. Can the project funding be obligated?
A: Yes, CDS funding is one of the funding sources currently allowed to be obligated.
Q: My project is funded only with federal Bridge funding provided under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs act. Can the project funding be obligated?
A: No. Bridge funding provided under the IIJA is one of the types of funds for which all new obligations are on hold.
Q: My project has federal discretionary grant funding on it. Can I move forward with the obligation of funds?
A: No. All new obligations for national grant funding are on hold.
Q: Can an EV project funded with Carbon Reduction or STBG get obligated?
A: Yes. Since the funding is specifically coming from a federal formula program, the project can obligate.
Q: I am a local agency who received a federal discretionary grant and we are a direct recipient/grantee with Federal Highway. Can I obligate any new funding?
A: No. All national federal grant funding is currently on hold, whether the agency is a direct recipient/grantee or working through ODOT.
Q: I have funding currently obligated on my project. Can I continue work?
A: Yes, for projects with funding already obligated, work can continue, and reimbursements will continue.
Q: Can the STIP still be amended to update projects?
A: Yes, the STIP can still be amended to update projects, as that does not impact obligation of funding.
Q: Can we still be reimbursed for funds that were already obligated?
A: Yes, any funds expended that have already been obligated can be reimbursed.
Q: Is funding from the Federal Transit Administration impacted by this executive order?
A: At this time the Federal Transit Administration is processing and obligating formula grant awards, but they are not obligating any discretionary grant awards.