Governor Confirms I-205 Tolling Paused Until 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2023      

GOVERNOR CONFIRMS I-205 TOLLING PAUSED UNTIL 2026

WEST LINN, OR – May 8, 2023 – In a May 4 letter to legislative leaders, Governor Kotek’s office confirmed the planned tolling of Interstate 205 will be paused until January 2026. The letter also confirmed the creation of a Special Subcommittee on Transportation Planning. The new subcommittee will review the planning and implementation of major projects, including those set to be funded by tolling—such as the I-205 Improvement Project and the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project.

“Since taking office, I have heard consistently from stakeholders and residents that they need to understand more of the impacts and tradeoffs of tolling I-205 and I-5 before these tolls take effect,” Kotek wrote.

The moratorium is a response to bipartisan efforts from many communities disproportionately impacted by the I-205 Improvement Project, who say that the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has failed to respond sufficiently to concerns. These include: expected widespread diversion traffic on local roads; environmental impacts; fiscal impacts on businesses and lower-income community members; lack of planned public transit alternatives to offset congestion; lack of adequate public outreach; safety; and a host of related issues. 

West Linn’s elected officials likewise have resisted the proposed tolls for years, arguing that areas like West Linn would be disproportionately impacted.

“ODOT has not demonstrated how they plan to mitigate the costs to cities, local businesses and residents associated with that diversion,” said Rep. Jules Walters, former mayor of West Linn.

While the public and Clackamas County officials expressed gratitude, many remain concerned that a pause is not enough.

“We are grateful to the Governor and our Representatives for listening to our concerns,” said West Linn’s Interim Mayor and former Council President, Rory Bialostosky. “There are lots of questions still to be answered as part of this pause. For example, will there be local government involvement in the new committee? What’s going to happen with ODOT’s failed Environmental Assessment? Is that paused, too? We need to keep the pressure on and ensure our concerns continue to be heard.”

Read more about West Linn’s actions against tolling, including a history of correspondence, at https://westlinnoregon.gov/citycouncil/i-205-toll-project. 

###