Update: The I-205 Toll Project public comment period end date has been extended from Sept. 23 to Oct. 16, as Oregon state health and safety officials respond to ongoing wildfires.
Throughout the public comment period, we will host activities where you can ask questions, offer feedback, and learn about the project. Your feedback and the technical analysis will help determine which toll alternatives to study in the next steps of the I-205 Toll Project environmental review process. Learn more about the places along I-205 where tolls could start and stop -- and how the different options could pay for roadway improvements along the corridor and manage congestion.
We want to hear from you at the start of the environmental review about the project's purpose and what we should consider as the project moves forward. In 2022, the Federal Highway Administration, in cooperation with ODOT, will decide which alternative to implement based on the analysis conducted, existing policy and guidance, and community and stakeholder feedback.
Please share your thoughts during the public comment period now underway.
Online survey:
Webinars:
-
Webinar 1
Wednesday, August 12, Noon - 1:00 p.m.
(Review the I-205 Toll Project Community Webinar #1 YouTube recording) -
Webinar 2
Tuesday, August 18, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
(Review the I-205 Toll Project Community Webinar #2 YouTube recording) -
Webinar 3
Thursday, August 20, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
(Review the I-205 Toll Project Community Webinar #3 YouTube recording)
Send an email or voicemail to the project team:
OregonTolling@odot.state.or.us or
503-837-3536.
Please submit comments by Oct. 16.
Overview
We have a congestion problem on I-205.
As the risks of COVID-19 are reduced, traffic congestion is expected to return. More cars driving in and through the Portland metro area makes our days more challenging and costs us time and money. In fact, congestion is estimated to cost our region about $2 million per day as people spend their days stuck in traffic instead of doing the things they enjoy.
From 2015 through 2017, the number of congested hours each day increased by 13% on freeways in the Portland metro region, as demonstrated in the
2018 Traffic Performance Report. Moreover, it's expected to get worse. Metro's population forecasts estimate that by 2040 there will be a 35% increase in population and 1.8 million more vehicular trips per weekday traveling in or through the region. Before March 2020, about 100,000 vehicles traveled the section of I-205 between Stafford Road and OR 213 on a typical day, causing over 6.5 hours of daily traffic congestion. As the risks of COVID-19 are reduced, traffic congestion is expected to return.
Tolls are one tool we are using to improve our transportation system.
This project would toll all lanes of I-205 on or near the Abernethy Bridge to both raise revenue and improve congestion. This section is the only two-lane segment on I-205. Revenue generated by these tolls could help pay for I-205 Improvements between Stafford Road and Oregon Route 213 including the Abernethy Bridge seismic upgrade.
Learn about I-205 Improvements: Stafford Road to OR 213.
2018 Feasibility Analysis concludes that tolls could be effective to reduce congestion.
Oregon’s House Bill 2017, also known as Keep Oregon Moving, directed the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) to develop a proposal for congestion pricing on I-5 and I-205 to reduce congestion as part of a suite of transportation investments throughout the state for roadway improvements, transit service enhancements and bicycle and pedestrian safety upgrades.
In 2018, the OTC and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) conducted the Portland Metro Area Value Pricing Feasibility Analysis to study how and where congestion pricing could be applied. Substantial public input and a Policy Advisory Committee informed the final recommendations.
In December of 2018, the OTC submitted a proposal to the Federal Highway Administration outlining the findings of the feasibility analysis and seeking approval to continue the process of implementing tolls on I-5 and I-205. In January 2019, FHWA provided guidance to move into the next phase of evaluation and study on the Congestion Pricing Program.
Start and end points for tolls along this corridor will be defined as part of the analysis and project development. This will include:
- An evaluation of options and end points of the toll area
- An assessment of the potential for additional diversion onto the surrounding street system, especially onto neighborhood streets designed for low speed, low volume conditions
- An evaluation of existing transit during peak periods to accommodate any shift in travel modes
- An assessment of whether improved reliability on the freeways will make bus service on the freeways a viable option to improve the currently limited public transportation options between West Linn, Oregon City and the I-5 corridor
- Consideration of equity and mobility strategies to ensure all demographics receive travel benefits
Learn more about tolls.
I-205 Travel Preference Survey
Earlier this year, we began a I-205 travel preference survey. However, Oregonians' commitment to Stay Home, Save Lives in response to the
executive order to slow the spread of COVID-19 affected travel patterns on I-205 and on other interstates across the state. Your travel preferences along I-205 are important to our modeling work as we move forward with tolls. Once we're past this pandemic and travel patterns return to normal, we will seek your input about travel on I-205. Thank you for your understanding. Check back this fall for more details about another I-205 travel preference survey opportunity.
Involving Stakeholders
We are coordinating public and stakeholder involvement to inform an equity framework, project development and community mobility and equity priorities.
Multiple strategies are planned to ensure the Oregon Transportation Commission hears a diversity of perspectives before decision-making on selected alternatives for I-205, equity and mobility strategies and, in the future, toll policies and rates.
Planned strategies include:
-
Equity and Mobility Advisory Committee
- Equitable and focused engagement with people who have been historically and are currently underrepresented and underserved or who have low incomes
- Broad public and community engagement with both in-person events and online tools
- Briefings to and collaboration with existing regional policy groups (e.g. Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation, Region 1 Area Commission on Transportation)
- Technical work groups made up of regional staff to review methodologies and analytical results that incorporate stakeholder input
As the toll project moves forward, ODOT is offering live webinars and other digital opportunities to speak directly to the experts. Check the
project calendar or
sign up for project updates to find out about upcoming events. Recaps of all events will be posted online.
Schedule
The process to implement a toll program requires substantial analysis, public input, construction, testing and driver education before the system can be operational.
Learn about the ongoing I-5 Toll Project.