I-5 Rose Quarter Project
Albina Vision pulls support for I-5 Rose Quarter project
Huge news from the Portland Mercury and Willamette Week: The nonprofit Albina Vision Trust has decided it will no longer support the Oregon Department of Transportation’s I-5 Rose Quarter project and they will no longer participate in an advisory role. In a tweet posted today, reporter Blair Stevnick wrote, “Albina Vision Trust is withdrawing from … Read more
Concerns aside, Metro Council gives ODOT $129 million for I-5 Rose Quarter project
Despite a majority of Metro Council expressing concerns about the future of a nearly $800 million project that will expand the I-5 freeway through the Rose Quarter, only two out of seven members voted against giving the Oregon Department of Transportation $129 million to continue working on it. The 5-2 vote came at a meeting … Read more
Transportation commission says I-5 Rose Quarter project can move ahead without environmental statement
The oversight body for the Oregon Department of Transportation has given the agency permission to move forward on their $715 million I-5 Rose Quarter project without doing more rigorous and independent analysis of its environmental and community impacts. In a 5-0 vote taken on a meeting held over the phone today, Oregon Transportation Commission Chair … Read more
Regional leaders greenlight $129 million for I-5 Rose Quarter project
We’re at that awkward stage in a highway mega-project when the agency in charge is under a cloud of controversy and still (after years of planning) doesn’t have an official endorsement to start construction, but still wants money to keep the project moving forward. Of course I’m talking about the Oregon Department of Transportation and … Read more
ODOT releases roster of I-5 Rose Quarter project community advisory committee
Tonight was supposed to be the first meeting of the I-5 Rose Quarter Project Community Advisory Committee. Due to public health concerns, it has been postponed and will be rescheduled in an online-only format (public will be invited, see updated details below). This is the committee foisted upon the Oregon Department of Transportation by their … Read more
ODOT will open two week comment period on I-5 Rose Quarter project
The Oregon Department of Transportation just announced they’ll open a two-week comment period on the controversial I-5 Rose Quarter project. The news comes a day after revelations that the Oregon Transportation Commission planned to postpone a crucial upcoming meeting where they were slated to vote on whether or not ODOT will perform a more robust … Read more
OTC raises legal questions with decision to hold key I-5 Rose Quarter meeting on the phone
The Oregonian reported today that the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) meeting slated for March 20th will be postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak. That’s the right decision given the state of the outbreak and current “social distancing” best practices. But the decision that caught my eye was that they plan to hold a “telephonic meeting” … Read more
Portland Parks defends the Esplanade, won’t sign-off on ODOT’s I-5 widening plan
“We will no longer be considering signing a letter of concurrence.”— Brett Horner, Portland Parks & Recreation The Portland Parks & Recreation Bureau won’t play ball with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) when it comes to a key issue surrounding the I-5 Rose Quarter project.
Willamette Week: Mayor could use Esplanade impacts as leverage over ODOT I-5 freeway expansion
There’s a good reason why the Oregon Department of Transportation abhors delay when it comes to their freeway expansion megaprojects: Because the longer reporters and advocates have to dig into the details, the more dirt they find.
You can tell ODOT what to do with their I-5 Rose Quarter project on new advisory committee
Left to their own devices, the Oregon Department of Transportation would already be deep into the design and pre-construction phase of their I-5 Rose Quarter project right now. But because of their own hubris and blind ambition to “deliver” freeway expansion mega-projects at any cost and consequence, ODOT’s boss has forced them to delay. On … Read more
Governor Brown asked about I-5 Rose Quarter project at City Club event
Governor Kate Brown spent about an hour with members of the City Club of Portland today. At the event, a preview of the 2020 legislative session, Brown fielded two questions about the controversial I-5 Rose Quarter project. As we reported Thursday, the Oregon Department of Transportation and their bosses at the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) … Read more