Oregon’s roads are crumbling, bridges are groaning, and drivers are dodging potholes that could swallow a small car. Yet, instead of laser-focusing on these core infrastructure needs, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) seems more interested in becoming the Department of Bikes, Pedestrians, and… well, let’s just say “Equity Initiatives That Don’t Fill Potholes.”
It’s not that bike lanes and pedestrian walkways are inherently bad. But when the asphalt under our tires is disintegrating, and ODOT is pleading poverty while simultaneously earmarking millions for curb cuts to nowhere, something is seriously out of whack.
Accountability? What’s That?
Remember the $1.1 billion “forecasting error” that ODOT conveniently kept under wraps for months? It’s hard to have faith in an agency that can misplace that kind of money. It’s even harder when project costs balloon to astronomical proportions, like the Abernethy Bridge, which has gone from a mere $248 million to a staggering $812 million. And let’s not forget, that’s without adding any additional capacity.
When pressed for explanations, ODOT trots out a parade of excuses, often delivered by someone who’s been in their position for all of a month. Where’s the accountability? Where’s the responsibility for these massive overruns and mismanaged funds?
Core Mission? More Like Core Diversion
What should ODOT be doing? Building and maintaining roads and bridges, ensuring safe passage for freight, and keeping our highways clear in winter. What are they doing? Spending millions on social equity programs, bike lanes that lead to nowhere, and high-speed rail fantasies that have about as much chance of success as a snowball in July.
Budgets reflect priorities, and ODOT’s priorities are clearly not aligned with the needs of the average Oregonian who just wants to get to work without destroying their suspension.
Clean Trucks, Dirty Deal
And then there’s the Clean Trucks mandate, a policy so divorced from reality that it’s almost comical. Mandating electric semi-trucks when the technology isn’t ready, the infrastructure is non-existent, and the cost is prohibitive is not only bad policy, it’s economic sabotage.
Now what? Speak out!
Oregonians, it’s time to demand better. We need to hold ODOT accountable for its mismanagement, demand a return to core functions, and insist on policies that are grounded in reality, not utopian fantasies.
Contact your representatives. Tell them that you’re tired of dodging potholes while ODOT chases rainbows. Tell them that you want roads and bridges, not bike lanes to nowhere. Tell them that it’s time to put Oregonians first.
Otherwise, we’re all going to end up driving on dirt roads, while ODOT pats itself on the back for its commitment to equity and inclusion, all this will result in is Oregon roads being equitable to Hati’s dirt paths. Higher transportation taxes were supposed to fix our roads, yet all we have to show for it are crumbling highways and expanding potholes. Instead of efficiency, we get bureaucratic waste—proof that throwing more money at a broken system only paves the way to nowhere.
That’s my viewpoint. https://substack.com/@bensviewpoint
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Mr. Roche’s opinion piece about ODOT’s misplaced priorities is spot on! Oregon’s Secretary of State needs to audit the literal hell out of that entire department (i.e. comprehensively DOGE it) until public trust has good reason to begin its restoration.