SALEM – The Oregon Transportation Commission has adopted the Oregon Highway Plan amendment on tolling, known as “Goal 6: Tolling and Congestion Pricing.” On Jan.12, commissioners received a presentation on the amendment process, a summary of comments received, and revisions completed since the process began in spring 2022.
The policy text is available at: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Planning/Pages/Oregon-Highway-Plan-Update.aspx
What is it?
The newly adopted policy amendment specifically amends “Goal 6: Tolling.” Now called “Goal 6: Tolling and Congestion Pricing,” it modernizes the state’s pricing and tolling policy. It defines terms, such as congestion pricing, and it offers guidance for the use of revenue and setting rates (but it does not set rates). It also provides the Oregon Transportation Commission with clearer direction for decision making. There are 16 policies in the amendment, each with actions to guide implementing the policy.
Public input was very important in the development of this amended policy. An extended public outreach period provided opportunity for the public to make comments. ODOT worked closely with numerous groups and jurisdictions throughout the policy development process and completed many revisions as a result of this outreach.
Note: This amendment is not about whether or not the state should toll roads; instead, it provides guidance for doing so as ODOT implements tolling as a method of congestion management and revenue generation.
Background
The Oregon Highway Plan is the state’s primary highway guide, establishing a 20-year vision and strategic framework for Oregon’s road system. The current plan was approved by the commission in 1999 and has been modified numerous times, including in 2012 to add the original section on tolling.
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