We have a congestion problem on I-205.
As traffic increases, trips take longer and are less predictable, which impacts our quality of life and the regional economy.
From 2015 through 2017, the number of congested hours each day increased by 13% on freeways in the Portland metro region. And it’s getting worse. The 2018 Traffic Performance Report estimates 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. Each day on I-205 between Stafford Road and OR 213, more than 100,000 vehicles use the facility and experience 5½ hours of congestion.
Tolls are one tool among many that ODOT is using to improve our transportation system.
This project would toll all lanes of I-205 on or near the Abernethy Bridge to both improve congestion and raise revenue. Revenue generated by these tolls could help fund the planned widening and seismic strengthening of I-205 between Stafford Road and OR 213 including the Abernethy Bridge. Other sources of funding are also being pursued.
This section is the only two-lane segment on I-205.
Learn about the I-205 Widening and Seismic Improvements Stafford Road to OR 213 Project.
2018 Feasibility Analysis concludes tolls could help 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 tolling area
- An assessment of the potential for 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 and Oregon City
- Consideration of
equity and mobility strategies to ensure all demographics receive travel benefits
Learn more about tolls.
.png)
I-205 Travel Preference Survey
Thank you for taking our I-205 travel preference survey. 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 in September for more details about another I-205 travel preference survey opportunity.
ODOT is planning extensive 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 and ODOT staff hear a diversity of perspectives before decision-making on selected alternatives for both I-205 and I-5, equity and mobility strategies and, in the future, toll policies and rates.
Planned strategies include:
- Advisory Committee
- Equitable and focused engagement with people who have been historically marginalized and 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
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.