Are We Trying to Build The Tower of Babel...
Too many projects and no money to spare is a recipe for disaster...
Confusion can abound when the people speak in different forms… or languages. And, as is the case when the confusion builds, no one is understood and things come crashing down.
There is a ton of confusion in the toll funding scenario. A lot of it can be placed on misdirected speech, multiple committees, terms and a complete lack of transparency. This is why the majority of Oregonians do not trust ODOT.
If you don’t like what you hear today, wait until you hear it tomorrow…
In Short
Article 1 - With the smoke just clearing, from the recent bond vote, plans are in motion to build out the I-5 Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR). This project, which has been years in planning, still does not have a final design plan yet is scheduled to start deep water drilling in 2026.
Article 2 - ODOT, in May of this year, showed how gas tax revenue would increase over the next 2 years. This because of an additional .02 cents getting added to the gas tax in January of 2024.
At that time they also stated they had reduced Operations and Maintenance (O&M) costs 5% with an additional 5% to be cut. These cuts show, by their own study, that the O&M budget will stay flush through 2027. We want to point out that ODOT is currently spending over $100 million, approved by the Oregon Transportation Commission in January of 2023, on getting tolling ready. Meanwhile the streets will have potholes unfilled and roads will not be plowed in a timely manner.
Obviously your safety is not the priority for ODOT.
Article 3 - This link, to ODOT’s page about “Structural Revenue Difficulties” outlines how services will be deferred. If you scroll down the page, a few inches, you will see a Region list of which you can click and get details.
At least ODOT is outlining who will be in harms way.
Weekly Articles
The Interstate Bridge Replacement project is moving forward...
Winter driving trips
It seems our government will be providing less this year if driving conditions get difficult.
My ideas----
Keep your gas tank at least half full. Several years ago conditions changed quickly. Traffic stalled for hours. Out of gas cars made it so much worse.
Have a family plan, phones charged, flash light & good batteries, chains & knowing how to use them, a potty bucket & lid
Some food , drink, TP, maybe a package of dog food. Shoes you can walk in. Blanket, big Beach Towel or extra coat, gloves. Sweat shirt. Etc. Know your alternate routes. Check on your disabled or old neighbors. We can't depend on our governments.