Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer Presses Federal Highway Administration on ODOT’s Flawed Tolling Implementation Process

December 13, 2023 – Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer: Chavez-DeRemer Presses Federal Highway Administration on ODOT’s Flawed Tolling Implementation Process

Today, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) pressed the head of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Shailen Bhatt, on the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) flawed process for implementing tolling. Specifically, Chavez-DeRemer raised concerns that ODOT’s inadequate efforts to gather public input could be a breach of federal regulations.

Click HERE to watch or download the exchange.

“The public is still unaware of what the proposal plans to do about congestion and new lanes,” Chavez-DeRemer said. “It is my understanding that ODOT has responded to many cities in my district with dubious assumptions, weak and unrealistic analysis, or even with pertinent information for various locations and intersections omitted for responses as to how tolling is going to impact those communities. ODOT itself last summer even admitted that they missed the mark on this public admission.”

“ODOT has still yet to propose a mitigation plan or strategy, therefore, this entire proposal from ODOT seems like it keeps moving the goalposts. That’s a problem for someone like myself who represents the entire constituency who decided they don’t want tolling any longer,” Chavez-DeRemer continued. “The public, like myself – we’re getting frustrated as you can probably hear in my voice. These sorts of plans for tolling are supposed to be presented so motorists, mayors, counties, and small businesses can make meaningful comments.”

During a hearing earlier this year, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg told Chavez-DeRemer that failing to conduct appropriate outreach could lead to a state’s tolling project being rejected at the federal level. Chavez-DeRemer brought this to Administrator Bhatt’s attention, and despite not giving a clear answer, Bhatt said he is committed to “working with [Chavez-DeRemer’s] office, ODOT, and all the communities who are impacted to ensure that we follow NEPA to the letter of the law and make sure that the public engagement process follows.”

Recently, Chavez-DeRemer successfully secured language in the House’s transportation appropriations bill to prevent federal funds from being used to carry out tolling projects along I-5 and I-205 in Oregon. She has continued urging the DOT to review the serious flaws in ODOT’s tolling process. Over the summer, Chavez-DeRemer introduced the No Tolls on Oregon Roads Act to prohibit the use of federal funds for tolling on I-5 and I-205 and to prevent the DOT from approving I-5 and I-205 tolling projects. She has also introduced the Tolling Transparency Act, which would require the DOT to conduct an Economic Impact Study for any major tolling project and prevent the implementation of tolling until the study is complete.