I-205 Toll Project

I-205 Toll Project details and benefits:

• Funds seismic improvements to eight bridges on I-205 from Stafford Road to OR 213. As a separate project, construction is underway to make the Abernethy Bridge the first earthquake-ready highway bridge across the Willamette River in the Portland metropolitan area.
• Adds the missing third travel lane in a seven-mile stretch from Stafford Road to the Abernethy Bridge. Upgrading this section to three lanes, similar to the rest of I-205, will increase safety and reduce bottlenecks.
• Uses congestion pricing through variable-rate tolls at the Abernethy and Tualatin River bridges, beginning in late 2024, at the earliest.

The Oregon Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration recently published an Environmental Assessment of the potential short- and long-term effects of the project on the transportation system, local communities, the economy, and the environment, along with possible solutions to address negative effects.

We recently completed a 60-day public comment period that lasted from Feb. 21 to April 21, 2023. We received more than 2,000 comments from across the region and hosted two webinars to share information and answer questions. Review the recordings from the Public Webinars March 14 and March 16 webinars to learn more.

ODOT and FHWA will review the comments, determine how to incorporate them into the project, and prepare a Revised Environmental Assessment to address comments received. Tolling could begin on the Abernethy and Tualatin River bridges as soon as late 2026. 

 

Tolling on I-205 will pay for seismic improvements, increase safety and reduce bottlenecks

​ODOT is studying the benefits and impacts of adding the missing third lane and seismic improvements to bridges on I-205 between Stafford Road and OR 213. The project also will add variable rate tolling on the Abernethy and Tualatin River Bridges to pay for those improvements and reduce congestion and delay.

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What are the project benefits?

• Funds seismic improvements to eight bridges on I-205 from Stafford Road to OR 213. As a separate project, construction is underway to make the Abernethy Bridge the first earthquake-ready highway bridge across the Willamette River in the Portland metropolitan area.
  
• Adds the missing third travel lane in a seven-mile stretch from Stafford Road to the Abernethy Bridge. Upgrading this section to three lanes, similar to the rest of I-205, will increase safety and reduce bottlenecks.
  
• Uses congestion pricing through variable-rate tolls at the Abernethy and Tualatin River bridges, beginning in late 2026, at the earliest.

Together, tolling and the improvements on I-205 will reduce congestion to give travelers a more predictable, safer trip.

Variable-rate tolls leads to better traffic flow

A variable-rate toll system means tolls are higher during peak – or “congested" – periods to encourage drivers to consider changing their travel time, carpooling, taking the bus, or avoiding the trip altogether. According to the Federal Highway Administration, removing as little as 5 percent of cars from a busy road can improve traffic flow.

Variable-rate tolling gives people a choice for a faster highway trip when they need it – like when they need to get to work, make a medical appointment, or pick up their child from school or daycare.

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On I-205, tolls would be all electronic, meaning there would be no toll booths, and drivers would not stop and pay. An all-electronic collection system is convenient for travelers and allows vehicles to keep moving.

​ A transponder - a small tag or sticker placed on the windshield - is scanned by devices secured to an overhead structure, called a toll gantry, which charges the account holder. If a vehicle doesn't have a transponder, a camera captures the car's license plate, and the registered owner is billed.​